In order to help prevent the need for costly lift truck repairs, it is recommended to check the front end of your forklift regularly as part of your daily and even pre-shift inspection. By catching any problems as they occur or in advance, you can also help prevent damage to any cargo too. The following includes a few of the general guidelines on what particular things to inspect during frequent inspections of your material handling fleet.
Forks
It is vital to regularly inspect the forks because if they are cracked or worn out, they could probably fail without warning. Any type of fork damage means that your forklift should instantly be removed from service until it is fixed and safe once again. Visually check your forks for any noticeable indications of wear or damage. If the cracks run deeper than on the surface, replace them. Any wear on the forks beyond 10 percent is one more sign that you must replace the forks.
Mast
The mast should ideally tilt backward and forward while being able to move up and down. You might have 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 each side roller. When the lubricating has been done, lower and raise the mast and also tilt it forward and backward a few times in order to make sure that the lubricant is worked correctly into the fittings.
Tilt Cylinders
Uncontrolled mast movement can be a result of oil leakage; hence, your inspection should involve checking for damage and for oil leaks. Whether the leaks are situated inside of the cylinder or are external, the end result can be cylinder drift and loss of fluid. If there are any signs of leaks or damage, you may have to replace the whole cylinder assembly, or just the seals.
Chains
The mast chains have to be checked to see if they are being stretched beyond their acceptable limits. Also, inspect the chain wear guage or check the chains for signs of damage. If there is wear beyond 2 percent, replace the chain. Also replace it if the chain seems rusted or kinked. Both the sheave bearings and the chain rollers must also be checked for signs of wear.
Normally, mast lift chains wear at the pin-to-link connections. If you notice wear, you can experience chain failure. This could end up damaging front end components or even the product. If you require help determining what precisely to inspect on your lift trucks or if you do not have time on hand to carry out regular fleet inspections, simply call your local lift truck dealer. Their trained service technicians would help your perform planned maintenance or PM checks according to your application requirements and scheduling.