It is suggested to regularly inspect 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 as they happen or ahead of time, you could also help prevent damage to any type of loads too. The following covers some of the general guidelines on what particular stuff to inspect during regular inspections of your material handling fleet.
Forks
It is essential to frequently check the forks because if they are worn out or cracked, they could potentially fail without warning. Any type of fork damage means that your lift truck will have to immediately be removed from service until it is fixed and safe once again. Visually inspect your forks for any noticeable 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
Ideally, the mast should tilt forward and back and be able to smoothly move down and up. If you find that the sliding surfaces are binding, you may need to lubricate the mast strip sliding surfaces as well as their fittings. 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 each side roller. Once the lubricating has been completed, tilt it forward and backward and also lower and raise the mast a few times in order to guarantee that the lubricant is worked into the fittings properly.
Tilt Cylinders
Your daily inspection has to include the checking for oil leaks and damage as an uncontrolled mast movement could be a result of oil leakage. Whether the leaks are located inside of the cylinder or are external, the end result could be loss of fluid and cylinder drift. If there are any indications of leaks or damage, you may need to replace the entire cylinder assembly, or just the seals.
Chains
Inspect and make certain that the mast chains are not stretching beyond their acceptable limits. Also be sure to check the chains for signs of damage or wear utilizing a chain wear gauge. If wear is present beyond 2 percent, replace the chain. Also replace it if the chain looks rusted or kinked. Both the chain rollers and the sheave bearings should also be inspected for signs of wear.
The mast lift chain would typically 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 parts. If you do not have time on hand to carry out frequent fleet inspections or if you need help determining what exactly to inspect on your lift trucks, just call your local lift truck dealer. Their skilled service technicians would help your perform planned maintenance or PM inspections according to your scheduling and application requirements.