In order to help prevent the need for costly lift truck repairs, it is suggested to inspect the front end of your lift truck frequently as part of your pre-shift and even daily inspection. By catching any problems as they happen or ahead of time, you can also help avoid damage to any type of cargo as well. The following covers several of the general guidelines on what specific things to inspect during frequent inspections of your material handling fleet.
Forks
It is important to regularly check the forks because if they are cracked or worn out, they could potentially fail without warning. Any kind of fork damage means that your lift truck would have to immediately be removed from service until it is safe and repaired once more. Visually inspect your forks for any noticeable indications of damage or wear. If the cracks run deeper than on the surface, replace them. Any wear on the forks beyond 10 percent is one more sign that you have to replace the forks.
Mast
The mast should ideally tilt forward and backward while being able to move up and down. You may have to lubricate the mast strip sliding surfaces and fittings if you find that the sliding surfaces are binding. 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 every side roller. Once the lubricating has been done, lower and raise the mast and also tilt it forward and backward several times in order to ensure that the lubricant is worked properly into the fittings.
Tilt Cylinders
Your daily inspection needs to include the checking for oil leaks and damage because 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 signs of leaks or damage, you might have to replace just the seals or the whole 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 signs of damage or wear utilizing a chain wear gauge. If there is wear beyond 2 percent, replace the chain. Also replace it if the chain appears rusted or kinked. Both the sheave bearings and the chain rollers also have to be checked for signs of wear.
The mast lift chain would usually wear at the pin-to-link connections. You can experience chain failure if you discover wear. This can end up damaging front end parts or even the product. If you require help determining what exactly to inspect on your forklifts or if you do not have time on hand to perform regular fleet inspections, just call your local forklift dealer. Their skilled service technicians will help your perform planned maintenance or PM checks based on your scheduling and application requirements.