In order to help prevent the need for expensive lift truck repairs, it is recommended to check the front end of your forklift frequently as part of your daily and even pre-shift inspection. By catching any problems ahead of time or as they arise, you could also help prevent damage to any cargo as well. The following covers several of the common guidelines on what specific stuff to check during frequent inspections of your material handling fleet.
Forks
It is important to regularly check the forks because if they are cracked or worn out, they could potentially fail without warning. Any kind of fork damage means that your lift truck should immediately be removed from service until it is safe and repaired 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 another sign that you must replace the forks.
Mast
Ideally, the mast must tilt forward and back and be able to smoothly move down and up. 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 located on each side. The lift bracket side rollers are another lubrication point and there is also one on each side roller. When the lubricating has been done, lower and raise the mast and also tilt it forward and backward 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 external or are located inside of the cylinder, the end result could be cylinder drift and loss of fluid. If there are any signs of damage or leaks, you may have to replace the entire cylinder assembly, or just the seals.
Chains
The mast chains need to be checked to see if they are being stretched beyond their acceptable limits. Furthermore, 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 appears kinked or rusted. Both the chain rollers and the sheave bearings also need to be inspected for signs 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 the product or front end parts. If you need help determining what exactly to inspect on your lift trucks or if you do not have time on hand to perform frequent fleet inspections, just contact your local lift truck dealer. Their skilled service technicians will help your perform PM or planned maintenance checks according to your application needs and scheduling.