In order to help avoid the need for costly lift truck repairs, it is recommended to inspect the front end of your lift truck regularly as part of your daily and even pre-shift inspection. By catching any problems ahead of time or as they happen, you can also help avoid damage to any kind of cargo too. The following covers several of the common guidelines on what particular stuff to check during frequent inspections of your material handling fleet.
Forks
Regularly inspecting the forks is key because if these are worn out or cracked, they may fail without warning. Any type of fork damage means that your lift truck would have to instantly be removed from service until it is fixed and safe once again. Visually check your forks for any noticeable indications 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
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 may have to grease the mast strip sliding surfaces as well as their fittings. On the inner mast there is a fitting located on each side. The lift bracket side rollers are a different lubrication point and there is also one on each side roller. When the lubricating has been done, raise and lower the mast and also tilt it backward and forward a few times in order to ensure that the lubricant is worked into the fittings properly.
Tilt Cylinders
Uncontrolled mast movement can be caused by oil leakage; thus, your inspection should involve inspecting for oil leaks and for damage. Whether the leaks are situated inside of the cylinder or are external, the end result could be cylinder drift and loss of fluid. If there are any signs of damage or leaks, you might have to replace just the seals or the entire cylinder assembly.
Chains
Check and make sure that the mast chains are not stretching beyond their acceptable limits. Also be sure to check the chains for signs 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 checked for indications of wear.
Usually, mast lift chains wear at the pin-to-link connections. If you discover 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 inspect on your forklifts or if you do not have time on hand to carry out frequent fleet inspections, simply call your local forklift dealer. Their skilled service technicians would help your perform planned maintenance or PM checks based on your scheduling and application requirements.