In order to help avoid the requirement for expensive lift truck repairs, it is suggested to check the front end of your lift truck frequently as part of your pre-shift and even daily inspection. By catching any problems ahead of time or as they happen, you can also help avoid damage to any kind of loads as well. The following includes a few of the common guidelines on what specific things to inspect 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 could potentially fail without warning. Any kind of fork damage means that your lift truck must immediately be removed from service until it is repaired and safe once more. Visually check your forks for any noticeable 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 one more indication that you need 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 have to grease 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 another lubrication point and there is also one on each side roller. Once the lubricating has been completed, raise and lower the mast and also tilt it backward and forward a few times in order to make sure that the lubricant is worked properly into the fittings.
Tilt Cylinders
Your daily check needs to include the checking for damage and oil leaks as an uncontrolled mast movement could be caused by oil leakage. Whether the leaks are external or are located inside of the cylinder, the end result could be loss of fluid and cylinder drift. If there are any indications of leaks or damage, you may have to replace just the seals or the whole cylinder assembly.
Chains
Check and make sure that the mast chains are not stretching beyond their acceptable limits. Also be sure to inspect the chains for signs of damage or wear utilizing a chain wear gauge. If wear is present beyond 2 percent, replace the chain. Also replace it if the chain looks kinked or rusted. Both the chain rollers and the sheave bearings also have to be checked for indications of wear.
The mast lift chain would normally wear at the pin-to-link connections. You could experience chain failure if you discover wear. This could 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 perform frequent fleet inspections, simply contact your local lift truck dealer. Their skilled service technicians will help your perform planned maintenance or PM inspections based on your application needs and scheduling.