It is suggested to frequently check the front end of your forklift as part of your daily or pre-shift inspection, in order to help avoid expensive forklift repairs. By catching any problems in advance or as they arise, you can also help avoid damage to any kind of loads as well. The following includes several of the general guidelines on what specific things to check during frequent inspections of your material handling fleet.
Forks
Regularly inspecting the forks is vital because if these are cracked or worn out, they might fail without warning. Any kind of fork damage means that your forklift will need to immediately be removed from service until it is fixed and safe once more. Visually inspect your forks for any visible 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 one more indication that you have to replace the forks.
Mast
The mast should ideally tilt forward and backward while being able to move up and down. You might 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 every side. The lift bracket side rollers are another lubrication point and there is also one on each side roller. Once the lubricating has been completed, tilt it forward and backward and also lower and raise the mast a few times in order to guarantee that the lubricant is worked into the fittings properly.
Tilt Cylinders
Uncontrolled mast movement could be caused by oil leakage; thus, your inspection should involve inspecting for oil leaks and for damage. Whether the leaks are external or are situated inside of the cylinder, 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 have to be inspected to see if they are being stretched beyond their acceptable limits. In addition, check 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 looks kinked or rusted. The sheave bearings and the chain rollers should also be inspected for signs of wear.
Typically, mast lift chains wear at the pin-to-link connections. If you notice wear, you can experience chain failure. This could end up damaging front end components or even the product. If you need help determining what exactly to inspect on your lift trucks or if you do not have time on hand to carry out frequent fleet inspections, just call your local forklift dealer. Their skilled service technicians will help your perform planned maintenance or PM inspections according to your scheduling and application needs.