It is recommended to frequently check the front end of your forklift as part of your daily or pre-shift inspection, in order to help avoid expensive forklift repairs. By catching any problems as they happen or in advance, you could also help prevent damage to any type of cargo too. The following covers some of the common guidelines on what particular stuff 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 type of fork damage means that your lift truck must immediately be removed from service until it is safe and repaired once again. Visually check your forks for any visible signs of wear or damage. If the cracks run deeper than on the surface, replace them. Any type of wear on the forks beyond 10 percent is another sign that you must replace the forks.
Mast
Ideally, the mast should tilt forward and back and be able to smoothly move down and up. 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 every side. The lift bracket side rollers are another lubrication point and there is also one on each side roller. When the lubricating has been completed, tilt it backward and forward and also raise and lower the mast a few times in order to ensure that the lubricant is worked properly into the fittings.
Tilt Cylinders
Uncontrolled mast movement could be a result of oil leakage; hence, your inspection should include inspecting for damage and for oil leaks. 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 signs of leaks or damage, you may need to replace the whole cylinder assembly, or just the seals.
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 there is wear beyond 2 percent, replace the chain. Also replace it if the chain looks kinked or rusted. Both the sheave bearings and the chain rollers must also be inspected for signs of wear.
The mast lift chain would normally wear at the pin-to-link connections. You could experience chain failure if you notice wear. This could end up damaging the product or front end components. If you require help determining what precisely to inspect on your lift trucks or if you do not have time on hand to perform frequent fleet inspections, just call your local forklift dealer. Their trained service technicians would help your perform PM or planned maintenance checks based on your scheduling and application requirements.