In order to help prevent the requirement for costly forklift repairs, it is suggested to inspect the front end of your lift truck regularly as part of your daily and even pre-shift inspection. By catching any problems in advance or as they arise, you could also help avoid damage to any loads too. The following includes several of the general guidelines on what specific things to inspect during regular inspections of your material handling fleet.
Forks
It is important to frequently inspect the forks because if they are worn out or cracked, they can probably fail without warning. Any kind of fork damage means that your lift truck should instantly be removed from service until it is repaired and safe once again. Visually inspect your forks for any noticeable 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 down and up. You may need 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 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, tilt it backward and forward and also raise and lower the mast a few times in order to make certain that the lubricant is worked correctly into the fittings.
Tilt Cylinders
Your daily check has to include the checking for oil leaks and damage because an uncontrolled mast movement can be a result of oil leakage. Whether the leaks are external or are located inside of the cylinder, the end result can be cylinder drift and loss of fluid. If there are any signs of damage or leaks, you may have to replace the whole cylinder assembly, or just the seals.
Chains
The mast chains need to be checked to see if they are being stretched beyond their acceptable limits. What's more, inspect the chain wear guage or check the chains for indications of damage. If wear is present 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 inspected for indications of wear.
The mast lift chain would typically wear at the pin-to-link connections. You could experience chain failure if you discover wear. This can end up damaging front end components or even the product. If you do not have time on hand to perform regular fleet inspections or if you require help determining what precisely to check on your lift trucks, simply contact your local lift truck dealer. Their trained service technicians would help your perform planned maintenance or PM inspections based on your scheduling and application requirements.