It is recommended to regularly inspect the front end of your lift truck as part of your pre-shift or daily examination, in order to help prevent costly forklift repairs. By catching any problems as they occur or ahead of time, you can also help avoid damage to any type of loads as well. The following includes some of the general guidelines on what specific stuff to check during frequent inspections of your material handling fleet.
Forks
It is important to regularly inspect the forks because if they are worn out or cracked, 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 check your forks for any noticeable signs 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 indication that you must replace the forks.
Mast
Ideally, the mast should tilt back and forward and be able to smoothly move down and up. If you find that the sliding surfaces are binding, you may have to lubricate 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 a different lubrication point and there is also one on every side roller. When the lubricating has been completed, lower and raise the mast and also tilt it backward and forward a few times in order to make sure that the lubricant is worked into the fittings properly.
Tilt Cylinders
Your daily inspection needs to include the checking for oil leaks and damage because an uncontrolled mast movement can be a result of oil leakage. Whether the leaks are located inside of the cylinder or are external, the end result can be loss of fluid and cylinder drift. If there are any signs of leaks or damage, you may have to replace just the seals or the entire cylinder assembly.
Chains
Check 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 there is wear beyond 2 percent, replace the chain. Also replace it if the chain seems kinked or rusted. Both the chain rollers and the sheave bearings also need to be inspected for indications of wear.
Normally, mast lift chains wear at the pin-to-link connections. If you notice wear, you can experience chain failure. 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 precisely to inspect on your forklifts, just call your local lift truck dealer. Their skilled service technicians will help your perform planned maintenance or PM inspections based on your scheduling and application needs.