It is recommended to frequently inspect the front end of your lift truck as part of your daily or pre-shift inspection, in order to help prevent expensive forklift repairs. By catching any problems as they arise or in advance, you can also help prevent damage to any kind of cargo as well. The following includes several of the common guidelines on what specific things to inspect during frequent inspections of your material handling fleet.
Forks
It is vital to regularly inspect the forks because if they are cracked or worn out, they can probably fail without warning. Any kind of fork damage means that your forklift should instantly be removed from service until it is safe and fixed once more. Visually inspect your forks for any noticeable signs 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 need to replace the forks.
Mast
The mast must ideally tilt backward and forward while being able to move down and up. You might have to lubricate 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 a different lubrication point and there is also one on each side roller. Once the lubricating has been completed, lower and raise the mast and also tilt it forward and backward several times in order to make certain that the lubricant is worked into the fittings properly.
Tilt Cylinders
Your daily check needs to include the checking for damage and oil leaks 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 may be loss of fluid and cylinder drift. If there are any signs of damage or leaks, you may have to replace just the seals or the whole cylinder assembly.
Chains
Inspect and make sure that the mast chains are not stretching beyond their acceptable limits. Also be certain to check the chains for indications 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 appears kinked or rusted. Both the sheave bearings and the chain rollers also have to be inspected for signs of wear.
The mast lift chain would typically wear at the pin-to-link connections. You can experience chain failure if you discover wear. This can end up damaging the product or front end parts. If you require help determining what exactly to check on your lift trucks or if you do not have time on hand to perform frequent fleet inspections, simply call your local lift truck dealer. Their trained service technicians will help your perform planned maintenance or PM checks based on your application requirements and scheduling.