In order to help avoid the need for costly lift truck repairs, it is suggested to check the front end of your forklift regularly as part of your daily and even pre-shift examination. By catching any problems as they arise or in advance, you could also help avoid damage to any cargo as well. The following covers several of the general guidelines on what specific stuff to inspect during frequent inspections of your material handling fleet.
Forks
Frequently checking the forks is key because if these are cracked or worn out, they might fail without warning. Any type of fork damage means that your lift truck must immediately be removed from service until it is safe and fixed once again. Visually inspect 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 another sign that you should replace the forks.
Mast
The mast must ideally tilt backward and forward while being able to move up and down. You might have to grease the mast strip sliding surfaces and fittings if you find that the sliding surfaces are binding. On the inner mast there is a fitting located on every side. The lift bracket side rollers are a different lubrication point and there is also one on each side roller. When the lubricating has been completed, tilt it forward and backward and also lower and raise the mast several times in order to make certain that the lubricant is worked properly into the fittings.
Tilt Cylinders
Uncontrolled mast movement can be caused by oil leakage; thus, your inspection must include inspecting for oil leaks and for damage. Whether the leaks are located inside of the cylinder or are external, the end result may be cylinder drift and loss of fluid. If there are any signs of damage or leaks, you might have 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. What's more, 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 seems rusted or kinked. The chain rollers and the sheave bearings should also be checked for signs of wear.
Usually, mast lift chains wear at the pin-to-link connections. If you notice wear, you can experience chain failure. This can end up damaging front end parts or even the product. If you do not have time on hand to carry out regular fleet inspections or if you require help determining what precisely to inspect on your lift trucks, simply contact your local forklift dealer. Their trained service technicians will help your perform PM or planned maintenance inspections according to your application requirements and scheduling.