In order to help prevent the need for costly lift truck repairs, it is recommended to check the front end of your forklift frequently as part of your daily and even pre-shift inspection. By catching any problems as they occur or ahead of time, you could also help avoid damage to any cargo as well. The following includes several of the general guidelines on what specific things to inspect during frequent inspections of your material handling fleet.
Forks
Frequently inspecting the forks is key because if these are cracked or worn out, they might fail without warning. Any type of fork damage means that your lift truck must immediately be removed from service until it is repaired 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 another indication that you must replace the forks.
Mast
Ideally, the mast should tilt back and forward and be able to smoothly move up and down. If you find that the sliding surfaces are binding, you might have to lubricate the mast strip sliding surfaces as well as their fittings. 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. When the lubricating has been done, raise and lower the mast and also tilt it forward and backward a few times in order to make sure that the lubricant is worked into the fittings properly.
Tilt Cylinders
Uncontrolled mast movement can be caused by oil leakage; therefore, your inspection should involve inspecting for oil leaks and for damage. Whether the leaks are external or are situated inside of the cylinder, the end result can be loss of fluid and cylinder drift. If there are any signs of damage or leaks, you may need to replace the whole cylinder assembly, or just the seals.
Chains
Check and make sure that the mast chains are not stretching beyond their acceptable limits. Also be sure to inspect the chains for signs of damage or wear utilizing a chain wear gauge. If wear is present beyond 2 percent, replace the chain. Also replace it if the chain seems rusted or kinked. The sheave bearings and the chain rollers also need to be inspected for indications of wear.
The mast lift chain will normally wear at the pin-to-link connections. You could experience chain failure if you discover wear. This can end up damaging front end parts or even the product. If you do not have time on hand to carry out frequent fleet inspections or if you need help determining what precisely to inspect on your forklifts, just call your local lift truck dealer. Their skilled service technicians will help your perform planned maintenance or PM checks according to your scheduling and application requirements.