In order to help avoid the need for costly lift truck repairs, it is recommended to inspect the front end of your forklift frequently as part of your daily and even pre-shift inspection. By catching any problems as they occur or in advance, you could also help prevent damage to any type of cargo as well. The following covers a few of the general guidelines on what specific stuff to inspect during regular inspections of your material handling fleet.
Forks
It is important to frequently check the forks because if they are worn out or cracked, they can potentially fail without warning. Any kind of fork damage means that your lift truck will need to instantly be removed from service until it is repaired and safe 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 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 need 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 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, tilt it backward and forward and also raise and lower the mast several times in order to ensure that the lubricant is worked into the fittings properly.
Tilt Cylinders
Your daily check needs to involve the checking for oil leaks and damage as an uncontrolled mast movement can be a result of oil leakage. Whether the leaks are external or are located inside of the cylinder, the end result can be loss of fluid and cylinder drift. If there are any indications of damage or leaks, you may have to replace just the seals or the whole cylinder assembly.
Chains
The mast chains need to be checked to see if they are being stretched beyond their acceptable limits. Also, 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 seems rusted or kinked. The sheave bearings and the chain rollers must also be inspected for indications of wear.
The mast lift chain will normally wear at the pin-to-link connections. You could experience chain failure if you discover wear. This can end up damaging the product or front end components. If you need help determining what exactly to inspect on your lift trucks or if you do not have time on hand to perform frequent fleet inspections, just call your local lift truck dealer. Their skilled service technicians will help your perform PM or planned maintenance inspections based on your scheduling and application needs.