It is suggested to regularly check the front end of your lift truck as part of your daily or pre-shift inspection, in order to help prevent costly lift truck repairs. By catching any problems in advance or as they happen, you can also help prevent damage to any kind of loads too. The following covers some of the general guidelines on what particular stuff to check during regular inspections of your material handling fleet.
Forks
Regularly checking the forks is key because if these are worn out or cracked, they may fail without warning. Any kind of fork damage means that your lift truck should instantly be removed from service until it is safe and repaired once again. Visually check your forks for any noticeable signs of damage or wear. If the cracks run deeper than on the surface, replace them. Any wear on the forks beyond 10 percent is another indication that you must 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 lubricate 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 a different lubrication point and there is also one on every side roller. When the lubricating has been completed, tilt it backward and forward and also raise and lower the mast several times in order to guarantee that the lubricant is worked into the fittings correctly.
Tilt Cylinders
Uncontrolled mast movement could be a result of oil leakage; hence, your inspection should include checking for damage and for oil leaks. Whether the leaks are external or are located inside of the cylinder, the end result may be cylinder drift and loss of fluid. If there are any indications of damage or leaks, you may have to replace just the seals or the entire cylinder assembly.
Chains
The mast chains need to be checked to see if they are being stretched beyond their acceptable limits. Moreover, check the chain wear guage or check the chains for signs of damage. If there is wear beyond 2 percent, replace the chain. Also replace it if the chain looks rusted or kinked. The sheave bearings and the chain rollers also need to be inspected for signs of wear.
Typically, mast lift chains wear at the pin-to-link connections. If you discover wear, you could experience chain failure. This could end up damaging front end parts 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 regular fleet inspections, simply contact your local forklift dealer. Their skilled service technicians will help your perform PM or planned maintenance checks based on your application requirements and scheduling.