In order to help prevent the need for costly lift truck repairs, it is suggested to inspect the front end of your lift truck frequently as part of your pre-shift and even daily inspection. By catching any problems ahead of time or as they arise, you could also help prevent damage to any cargo too. The following covers several of the common guidelines on what particular stuff to inspect during regular inspections of your material handling fleet.
Forks
It is important to regularly inspect 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 should instantly be removed from service until it is safe and fixed once again. Visually check your forks for any noticeable indications of damage or wear. If the cracks run deeper than on the surface, replace them. Any kind of wear on the forks beyond 10 percent is another sign that you need to replace the forks.
Mast
The mast should ideally tilt forward and backward while being able to move down and up. You may have 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 situated on every 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 completed, tilt it backward and forward and also raise and lower the mast several times in order to make sure that the lubricant is worked properly into the fittings.
Tilt Cylinders
Uncontrolled mast movement can be caused by oil leakage; therefore, your inspection must involve inspecting for oil leaks and for damage. 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 signs of leaks or damage, you might need to replace the whole cylinder assembly, or just the seals.
Chains
Check and make sure that the mast chains are not stretching beyond their acceptable limits. Also be sure to inspect the chains for signs 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. Both the chain rollers and the sheave bearings also have to be checked for signs of wear.
Usually, mast lift chains wear at the pin-to-link connections. If you discover wear, you could experience chain failure. This can end up damaging the product or front end components. If you do not have time on hand to perform frequent fleet inspections or if you require help determining what exactly to check on your lift trucks, just contact your local forklift dealer. Their trained service technicians will help your perform PM or planned maintenance inspections based on your scheduling and application requirements.