In order to help avoid the requirement for expensive lift truck repairs, it is recommended to inspect the front end of your forklift frequently as part of your daily and even pre-shift inspection. By catching any problems ahead of time or as they happen, you could also help avoid damage to any cargo as well. The following covers several of the general guidelines on what particular stuff to inspect during frequent inspections of your material handling fleet.
Forks
It is essential to frequently inspect the forks because if they are worn out or cracked, they could probably fail without warning. Any type of fork damage means that your lift truck must instantly be removed from service until it is fixed and safe once more. Visually check your forks for any visible indications of damage or wear. If the cracks run deeper than on the surface, replace them. Any type of wear on the forks beyond 10 percent is another sign that you have to replace the forks.
Mast
The mast must ideally tilt backward and forward while being able to move up and down. You might have to grease 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 each side. The lift bracket side rollers are another lubrication point and there is also one on every side roller. Once the lubricating has been completed, raise and lower the mast and also tilt it backward and forward several times in order to guarantee that the lubricant is worked into the fittings properly.
Tilt Cylinders
Uncontrolled mast movement could be caused by oil leakage; thus, your inspection must include inspecting for damage and for oil leaks. Whether the leaks are external or are situated inside of the cylinder, the end result could be loss of fluid and cylinder drift. If there are any indications of damage or leaks, you may have to replace the whole cylinder assembly, or just the seals.
Chains
The mast chains need to be inspected to see if they are being stretched beyond their acceptable limits. In addition, inspect the chain wear guage or check the chains for indications of damage. If there is wear beyond 2 percent, replace the chain. Also replace it if the chain seems kinked or rusted. Both the sheave bearings and the chain rollers also need to be checked for indications of wear.
Typically, mast lift chains wear at the pin-to-link connections. If you notice wear, you can experience chain failure. This can end up damaging front end parts or even the product. If you do not have time on hand to carry out regular fleet inspections or if you require help determining what exactly to check on your forklifts, just call your local lift truck dealer. Their skilled service technicians would help your perform planned maintenance or PM inspections based on your application requirements and scheduling.