In order to help prevent the requirement for expensive lift truck repairs, it is suggested to inspect the front end of your lift truck regularly as part of your daily and even pre-shift inspection. By catching any problems as they happen or in advance, you can also help avoid damage to any type of cargo too. The following includes a few of the common guidelines on what specific things to inspect during frequent inspections of your material handling fleet.
Forks
It is important to frequently check the forks because if they are cracked or worn out, they can potentially fail without warning. Any type of fork damage means that your lift truck should immediately be removed from service until it is safe and fixed once more. Visually check your forks for any visible signs of wear or damage. If the cracks run deeper than on the surface, replace them. Any wear on the forks beyond 10 percent is another sign that you must replace the forks.
Mast
The mast must ideally tilt backward and forward while being able to move up and down. You may need 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 situated 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 completed, tilt it backward and forward and also lower and raise the mast several times in order to guarantee that the lubricant is worked correctly into the fittings.
Tilt Cylinders
Uncontrolled mast movement could be caused by oil leakage; hence, your inspection should involve inspecting for oil leaks and for damage. 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 damage or leaks, you may need to replace the whole 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. Additionally, 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 rusted or kinked. The sheave bearings and the chain rollers must also be inspected for signs of wear.
The mast lift chain will normally wear at the pin-to-link connections. You could experience chain failure if you discover wear. This could end up damaging the product or front end parts. If you do not have time on hand to perform frequent fleet inspections or if you require help determining what exactly to check on your forklifts, just contact your local forklift dealer. Their trained service technicians would help your perform PM or planned maintenance checks according to your application needs and scheduling.