It is recommended to frequently inspect the front end of your lift truck as part of your pre-shift or daily inspection, in order to help avoid expensive forklift repairs. By catching any problems as they arise or ahead of time, you could also help avoid damage to any loads 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
It is vital to frequently check the forks because if they are worn out or cracked, they could probably fail without warning. Any type of fork damage means that your lift truck will have to instantly be removed from service until it is safe and fixed once again. Visually inspect 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 indication that you must replace the forks.
Mast
Ideally, the mast should tilt forward and back and be able to smoothly move up and down. If you find that the sliding surfaces are binding, you may have to grease 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 another lubrication point and there is also one on each side roller. When the lubricating has been done, tilt it backward and forward and also lower and raise the mast several times in order to ensure that the lubricant is worked correctly into the fittings.
Tilt Cylinders
Your daily check has to involve the checking for oil leaks and damage because an uncontrolled mast movement could be caused by oil leakage. Whether the leaks are external or are situated inside of the cylinder, the end result may be cylinder drift and loss of fluid. If there are any indications of damage or leaks, you may need to replace just the seals or the entire cylinder assembly.
Chains
Inspect and make certain that the mast chains are not stretching beyond their acceptable limits. Also be sure to check the chains for indications of damage or wear using a chain wear gauge. If wear is present beyond 2 percent, replace the chain. Also replace it if the chain appears kinked or rusted. The chain rollers and the sheave bearings also need to be checked 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 can end up damaging front end components or even the product. If you require help determining what exactly to check on your forklifts or if you do not have time on hand to carry out frequent fleet inspections, simply call your local lift truck dealer. Their skilled service technicians would help your perform PM or planned maintenance inspections based on your scheduling and application requirements.