In order to help prevent the requirement for costly lift truck repairs, it is suggested to check the front end of your forklift regularly as part of your pre-shift and even daily inspection. By catching any problems in advance or as they happen, you could also help avoid damage to any type of loads as well. The following covers several of the common guidelines on what specific things to check during regular inspections of your material handling fleet.
Forks
It is vital to frequently inspect the forks because if they are cracked or worn out, they can potentially fail without warning. Any kind of fork damage means that your lift truck must instantly be removed from service until it is safe and fixed once again. Visually inspect your forks for any visible 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 another sign that you must replace the forks.
Mast
The mast should ideally tilt backward and forward while being able to move down and up. You may have 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 each side roller. When the lubricating has been completed, tilt it forward and backward and also lower and raise the mast a few times in order to ensure that the lubricant is worked into the fittings properly.
Tilt Cylinders
Uncontrolled mast movement could be a result of oil leakage; thus, your inspection should involve checking for damage and for oil leaks. Whether the leaks are situated inside of the cylinder or are external, the end result could be cylinder drift and loss of fluid. If there are any signs of leaks or damage, you may have to replace just the seals or the entire cylinder assembly.
Chains
The mast chains have to be inspected to see if they are being stretched beyond their acceptable limits. In addition, inspect the chain wear guage or check the chains for signs of damage. If there is wear beyond 2 percent, replace the chain. Also replace it if the chain seems kinked or rusted. The chain rollers and the sheave bearings should also be inspected for signs of wear.
The mast lift chain will usually wear at the pin-to-link connections. You can experience chain failure if you discover wear. This can end up damaging front end parts or even the product. If you need help determining what precisely to check on your lift trucks or if you do not have time on hand to carry out regular fleet inspections, simply contact your local lift truck dealer. Their trained service technicians would help your perform PM or planned maintenance inspections based on your application needs and scheduling.