In order to help avoid the requirement for costly lift truck repairs, it is recommended to check the front end of your lift truck frequently as part of your pre-shift and even daily inspection. By catching any problems as they occur or in advance, you can also help prevent damage to any kind of cargo as well. The following covers a few of the common guidelines on what particular stuff to inspect during frequent inspections of your material handling fleet.
Forks
Regularly checking the forks is key because if these are worn out or cracked, they may fail without warning. Any kind of fork damage means that your forklift should immediately be removed from service until it is fixed and safe once again. Visually inspect 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 sign that you should replace the forks.
Mast
The mast must ideally tilt backward and forward while being able to move down and up. You might 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 located 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 done, tilt it backward and forward and also raise and lower the mast a few 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; therefore, your inspection should 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 cylinder drift and loss of fluid. If there are any signs of leaks or damage, you might have to replace the whole cylinder assembly, or just the seals.
Chains
The mast chains have to be inspected to see if they are being stretched beyond their acceptable limits. What's more, check 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 looks kinked or rusted. Both the sheave bearings and the chain rollers must also be checked for signs of wear.
Usually, mast lift chains wear at the pin-to-link connections. If you discover wear, you could experience chain failure. This could end up damaging the product or front end components. If you need help determining what precisely to check on your lift trucks or if you do not have time on hand to perform frequent fleet inspections, simply contact your local forklift dealer. Their trained service technicians will help your perform planned maintenance or PM inspections according to your scheduling and application needs.