In order to help prevent the need for expensive lift truck repairs, it is suggested to check the front end of your lift truck regularly as part of your pre-shift and even daily inspection. By catching any problems in advance or as they occur, you can also help prevent damage to any cargo as well. The following covers some of the general guidelines on what particular things to inspect during regular inspections of your material handling fleet.
Forks
It is vital to regularly inspect the forks because if they are worn out or cracked, they can probably fail without warning. Any kind of fork damage means that your lift truck would need to instantly be removed from service until it is repaired and safe once more. Visually inspect your forks for any visible signs of damage or wear. If the cracks run deeper than on the surface, replace them. Any type of wear on the forks beyond 10 percent is another indication that you need to replace the forks.
Mast
The mast should ideally tilt backward and forward while being able to move down and up. 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 situated on each side. The lift bracket side rollers are a different lubrication point and there is also one on each side roller. Once the lubricating has been completed, lower and raise the mast and also tilt it backward and forward several times in order to guarantee that the lubricant is worked properly into the fittings.
Tilt Cylinders
Uncontrolled mast movement could be caused by oil leakage; therefore, your inspection should include inspecting for damage and for oil leaks. Whether the leaks are situated inside of the cylinder or are external, the end result may be loss of fluid and cylinder drift. If there are any indications of damage or leaks, you may need to replace the whole 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 inspect 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 appears kinked or rusted. The chain rollers and the sheave bearings also have to be checked for indications of wear.
The mast lift chain would normally wear at the pin-to-link connections. You can experience chain failure if you notice wear. This can end up damaging the product or front end parts. If you do not have time on hand to carry out regular fleet inspections or if you need help determining what exactly to check on your forklifts, just call your local forklift dealer. Their trained service technicians will help your perform PM or planned maintenance checks based on your scheduling and application needs.