It is suggested to often check the front end of your forklift as part of your pre-shift or daily inspection, in order to help avoid costly forklift repairs. By catching any problems ahead of time or as they happen, you can also help avoid damage to any type of loads as well. The following covers some of the general guidelines on what specific things to inspect during regular inspections of your material handling fleet.
Forks
Regularly checking the forks is vital because if these are worn out or cracked, they may fail without warning. Any type of fork damage means that your forklift would have to immediately be removed from service until it is fixed and safe once more. Visually check your forks for any noticeable indications of wear or damage. If the cracks run deeper than on the surface, replace them. Any type of wear on the forks beyond 10 percent is one more indication that you should replace the forks.
Mast
Ideally, the mast must tilt forward and back and be able to smoothly move up and down. If you find that the sliding surfaces are binding, you might have to grease 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 another lubrication point and there is also one on every side roller. When the lubricating has been completed, 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 into the fittings correctly.
Tilt Cylinders
Uncontrolled mast movement can be caused by oil leakage; hence, 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 may be loss of fluid and cylinder drift. If there are any indications of damage or leaks, you might have to replace the whole cylinder assembly, or just the seals.
Chains
Inspect and make certain that the mast chains are not stretching beyond their acceptable limits. Also be sure to check the chains for signs of wear or damage 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 chain rollers and the sheave bearings must also be checked for signs of wear.
Usually, mast lift chains wear at the pin-to-link connections. If you notice wear, you could experience chain failure. This can end up damaging front end parts or even the product. If you do not have time on hand to perform regular fleet inspections or if you need help determining what exactly to check on your lift trucks, just contact your local forklift dealer. Their trained service technicians will help your perform planned maintenance or PM checks according to your application requirements and scheduling.