In order to help prevent the requirement for costly lift truck repairs, it is suggested to check the front end of your lift truck regularly as part of your daily and even pre-shift examination. By catching any problems as they arise or in advance, you could also help avoid damage to any type of cargo as well. The following includes a few of the common guidelines on what particular things to check during regular 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 must instantly be removed from service until it is fixed and safe once again. Visually check your forks for any noticeable indications of damage or wear. If the cracks run deeper than on the surface, replace them. Any kind of wear on the forks beyond 10 percent is one more indication that you should replace the forks.
Mast
Ideally, the mast should tilt back and forward and be able to smoothly move down and up. If you find that the sliding surfaces are binding, you might need to grease the mast strip sliding surfaces as well as their fittings. On the inner mast there is a fitting located on each 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 forward and backward and also lower and raise the mast several times in order to ensure that the lubricant is worked into the fittings properly.
Tilt Cylinders
Your daily check needs to include the checking for oil leaks and damage because an uncontrolled mast movement can be caused by oil leakage. 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 need to replace just the seals or the whole cylinder assembly.
Chains
Check and make sure that the mast chains are not stretching beyond their acceptable limits. Also be certain to inspect the chains for signs of wear or damage utilizing a chain wear gauge. If there is wear beyond 2 percent, replace the chain. Also replace it if the chain seems rusted or kinked. The chain rollers and the sheave bearings also need to be checked for signs of wear.
Normally, mast lift chains wear at the pin-to-link connections. If you discover wear, you can experience chain failure. This could end up damaging the product or front end components. If you need help determining what precisely to inspect on your lift trucks or if you do not have time on hand to perform frequent fleet inspections, just call your local lift truck dealer. Their skilled service technicians would help your perform PM or planned maintenance checks according to your application requirements and scheduling.