In order to help prevent the requirement for expensive forklift repairs, it is suggested to check the front end of your lift truck frequently as part of your daily and even pre-shift inspection. By catching any problems in advance or as they happen, you could also help avoid damage to any cargo as well. The following covers several of the general guidelines on what particular things to check during regular inspections of your material handling fleet.
Forks
It is important to regularly check the forks because if they are cracked or worn out, they can potentially fail without warning. Any kind of fork damage means that your lift truck must instantly be removed from service until it is safe and repaired once more. Visually inspect your forks for any noticeable signs of damage or wear. If the cracks run deeper than on the surface, replace them. Any wear on the forks beyond 10 percent is one more sign that you have to replace the forks.
Mast
Ideally, the mast must tilt back and forward and be able to smoothly move up and down. If you find that the sliding surfaces are binding, you might need to lubricate the mast strip sliding surfaces as well as their fittings. On the inner mast there is a fitting situated on each 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 done, lower and raise the mast and also tilt it forward and backward a few times in order to ensure that the lubricant is worked properly into the fittings.
Tilt Cylinders
Uncontrolled mast movement could be caused by oil leakage; therefore, your inspection should include checking for damage and for oil leaks. 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 indications of leaks or damage, you may need to replace just the seals or the whole cylinder assembly.
Chains
The mast chains need to be checked to see if they are being stretched beyond their acceptable limits. Moreover, 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 kinked or rusted. Both the sheave bearings and the chain rollers also have to be inspected for signs of wear.
Normally, mast lift chains wear at the pin-to-link connections. If you notice wear, you could experience chain failure. This could end up damaging front end parts or even the product. If you need help determining what exactly to inspect on your forklifts or if you do not have time on hand to perform frequent fleet inspections, just call your local forklift dealer. Their trained service technicians will help your perform planned maintenance or PM inspections according to your application needs and scheduling.