It is suggested to regularly check the front end of your lift truck as part of your daily or pre-shift examination, in order to help avoid expensive lift truck repairs. By catching any problems ahead of time or as they arise, you could also help prevent damage to any type of loads too. The following covers a few of the common guidelines on what specific stuff 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 probably fail without warning. Any kind of fork damage means that your lift truck must instantly be removed from service until it is safe and repaired once again. Visually inspect your forks for any visible 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 another sign that you must replace the forks.
Mast
The mast must ideally tilt forward and backward while being able to move up and down. You may need to grease the mast strip sliding surfaces and fittings if you find that the sliding surfaces are binding. 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. Once the lubricating has been completed, raise and lower the mast and also tilt it backward and forward several times in order to guarantee that the lubricant is worked into the fittings correctly.
Tilt Cylinders
Uncontrolled mast movement can be caused by oil leakage; thus, your inspection should involve inspecting for damage and for oil leaks. Whether the leaks are external or are situated inside of the cylinder, the end result may be cylinder drift and loss of fluid. If there are any indications of leaks or damage, you might need to replace the entire cylinder assembly, or just the seals.
Chains
Inspect and make sure that the mast chains are not stretching beyond their acceptable limits. Also be certain to check the chains for indications of wear or damage using a chain wear gauge. If wear is present beyond 2 percent, replace the chain. Also replace it if the chain seems kinked or rusted. The sheave bearings and the chain rollers also have to be inspected for signs of wear.
Typically, mast lift chains wear at the pin-to-link connections. If you notice wear, you can experience chain failure. This can end up damaging the product or front end parts. If you need help determining what precisely to check on your forklifts or if you do not have time on hand to perform frequent fleet inspections, just contact your local lift truck dealer. Their trained service technicians will help your perform planned maintenance or PM checks according to your application requirements and scheduling.