In order to help avoid the need for expensive lift truck repairs, it is recommended to check the front end of your lift truck frequently as part of your pre-shift and even daily examination. By catching any problems in advance or as they occur, you could also help prevent damage to any cargo as well. The following covers a few of the general guidelines on what specific things to check during frequent inspections of your material handling fleet.
Forks
It is essential to frequently inspect the forks because if they are worn out or cracked, they could probably fail without warning. Any kind of fork damage means that your lift truck must instantly be removed from service until it is repaired and safe 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 kind of wear on the forks beyond 10 percent is another indication that you need to replace the forks.
Mast
Ideally, the mast must tilt back and forward and be able to smoothly move down and up. If you find that the sliding surfaces are binding, you might need to grease the mast strip sliding surfaces as well as their fittings. On the inner mast there is a fitting located on every side. The lift bracket side rollers are another lubrication point and there is also one on every side roller. When the lubricating has been done, raise and lower the mast and also tilt it forward and backward several times in order to make sure that the lubricant is worked into the fittings correctly.
Tilt Cylinders
Your daily check needs to include the checking for oil leaks and damage since an uncontrolled mast movement can be a result of oil leakage. Whether the leaks are external or are situated inside of the cylinder, 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 the entire cylinder assembly, or just the seals.
Chains
Check and make sure that the mast chains are not stretching beyond their acceptable limits. Also be sure to inspect the chains for indications of damage or wear using a chain wear gauge. If there is wear beyond 2 percent, replace the chain. Also replace it if the chain seems kinked or rusted. The chain rollers and the sheave bearings should also be checked for indications of wear.
Typically, mast lift chains wear at the pin-to-link connections. If you notice wear, you could experience chain failure. This could end up damaging the product or front end components. If you do not have time on hand to carry out regular fleet inspections or if you require help determining what exactly to inspect on your forklifts, simply contact your local lift truck dealer. Their trained service technicians would help your perform planned maintenance or PM checks based on your application requirements and scheduling.