It is suggested to frequently check the front end of your forklift as part of your pre-shift or daily inspection, in order to help prevent expensive forklift repairs. By catching any problems as they happen or in advance, you could also help prevent damage to any type of loads as well. The following includes a few of the common guidelines on what specific things to inspect during regular inspections of your material handling fleet.
Forks
Frequently checking the forks is vital because if these are cracked or worn out, they might fail without warning. Any kind of fork damage means that your forklift should immediately be removed from service until it is safe and fixed once again. Visually check your forks for any noticeable indications of damage or wear. If the cracks run deeper than on the surface, replace them. Any wear on the forks beyond 10 percent is another indication that you should replace the forks.
Mast
The mast must ideally tilt forward and backward while being able to move up and down. You may need to lubricate the mast strip sliding surfaces and fittings if you find that the sliding surfaces are binding. On the inner mast there is a fitting situated on every side. The lift bracket side rollers are a different lubrication point and there is also one on every side roller. Once the lubricating has been completed, tilt it backward and forward and also raise and lower the mast a few times in order to ensure that the lubricant is worked into the fittings properly.
Tilt Cylinders
Your daily inspection needs to involve the checking for oil leaks and damage since an uncontrolled mast movement could be a result of oil leakage. Whether the leaks are located inside of the cylinder or are external, the end result can be loss of fluid and cylinder drift. If there are any signs of damage or leaks, you might have to replace the whole cylinder assembly, or just the seals.
Chains
Check and make certain that the mast chains are not stretching beyond their acceptable limits. Also be certain to inspect the chains for signs of damage or wear using a chain wear gauge. If there is wear beyond 2 percent, replace the chain. Also replace it if the chain appears rusted or kinked. Both the chain rollers and the sheave bearings also need to be inspected for signs of wear.
The mast lift chain will typically wear at the pin-to-link connections. You can experience chain failure if you notice wear. This can end up damaging front end parts or even the product. If you need help determining what precisely to check on your lift trucks or if you do not have time on hand to carry out regular fleet inspections, just contact your local lift truck dealer. Their trained service technicians will help your perform PM or planned maintenance inspections based on your application needs and scheduling.