In order to help avoid the requirement for expensive forklift repairs, it is suggested to inspect the front end of your lift truck regularly as part of your pre-shift and even daily examination. By catching any problems as they arise or in advance, you can also help prevent damage to any cargo too. The following covers several of the common guidelines on what specific things to inspect during frequent inspections of your material handling fleet.
Forks
It is essential to frequently inspect the forks because if they are worn out or cracked, they could potentially fail without warning. Any kind of fork damage means that your forklift must immediately be removed from service until it is repaired and safe once again. Visually check 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 one more sign that you need to replace the forks.
Mast
Ideally, the mast must tilt forward and back and be able to smoothly move up and down. If you find that the sliding surfaces are binding, you may have to grease the mast strip sliding surfaces as well as their fittings. On the inner mast there is a fitting situated on each side. The lift bracket side rollers are another lubrication point and there is also one on each side roller. Once the lubricating has been done, raise and lower the mast and also tilt it forward and backward several times in order to ensure that the lubricant is worked properly into the fittings.
Tilt Cylinders
Uncontrolled mast movement could be a result of oil leakage; hence, your inspection must involve inspecting for oil leaks and for damage. 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 indications of leaks or damage, you may need 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. Moreover, 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 appears rusted or kinked. Both the sheave bearings and the chain rollers also have to be checked for indications of wear.
Typically, mast lift chains wear at the pin-to-link connections. If you discover wear, you could experience chain failure. This could end up damaging front end parts or even the product. If you do not have time on hand to carry out frequent fleet inspections or if you require help determining what precisely to check on your lift trucks, just contact your local forklift dealer. Their skilled service technicians would help your perform PM or planned maintenance inspections based on your scheduling and application requirements.