It is recommended to regularly check the front end of your forklift as part of your daily or pre-shift inspection, in order to help avoid expensive lift truck repairs. By catching any problems as they arise or ahead of time, you could also help avoid damage to any cargo too. The following covers a few of the general guidelines on what specific things to check during regular inspections of your material handling fleet.
Forks
It is vital to frequently check the forks because if they are worn out or cracked, they can probably fail without warning. Any type of fork damage means that your lift truck should instantly be removed from service until it is safe and repaired once more. Visually inspect your forks for any noticeable signs of wear or damage. If the cracks run deeper than on the surface, replace them. Any kind of wear on the forks beyond 10 percent is one more sign that you should replace the forks.
Mast
The mast should ideally tilt forward and backward while being able to move up and down. You might need 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 each side. The lift bracket side rollers are a different lubrication point and there is also one on every side roller. Once the lubricating has been done, lower and raise the mast and also tilt it backward and forward several times in order to ensure that the lubricant is worked correctly into the fittings.
Tilt Cylinders
Your daily check has to include the checking for damage and oil leaks as 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 could be loss of fluid and cylinder drift. If there are any signs of leaks or damage, you may have to replace the entire cylinder assembly, or just the seals.
Chains
Inspect and make sure that the mast chains are not stretching beyond their acceptable limits. Also be certain to inspect the chains for signs 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 looks kinked or rusted. The sheave bearings and the chain rollers must also be inspected for signs of wear.
The mast lift chain would typically wear at the pin-to-link connections. You can experience chain failure if you discover wear. This can end up damaging the product or front end parts. If you need help determining what exactly to inspect on your forklifts or if you do not have time on hand to carry out regular fleet inspections, simply contact your local forklift dealer. Their trained service technicians will help your perform planned maintenance or PM inspections based on your application requirements and scheduling.