Performing regular forklift maintenance on your fleet offers numerous benefits including better workplace safety, longer equipment life and lower depreciation. However, forklifts are complex pieces of machinery, so it’s not always obvious how and when to maintain them.
The purpose of this post is to serve as a guide to forklift maintenance. By the end of it, you’ll know what regular checks you need to carry out and when, plus some of the signs that indicate your forklift requires a professional service.
What regular forklift maintenance should you be doing for your fleet?
Recommended daily forklift inspections
Daily checks are basic maintenance tasks you should complete before you start work. These are critical for both worker safety and ensuring that the vehicle operates for the entirety of its serviceable lifetime.
Before using equipment in the morning check:
1. The cleanliness and hygiene of the operator’s cabin
2. The condition of the mast
3. The chassis for external wear and tear
4. The condition of the forks
5. Engine hoses
6. Oil, water and other hydraulic fluid levels
7. Safety devices, such as finger guards and seat belts
8. Tyre pressure and condition
After switching on the forklift check:
1. The functioning of the lights and horns
2. The stopping power of the brakes
3. The ability to move the fork up and down
4. The functioning of the accelerator, parking brake and turn signals
5. That the hosing is wrapped around the guardrails tightly
6. The tilt control
7. All the instruments and gauges
Weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual forklift checks
In addition to daily checks, you will also need to complete a range of maintenance tasks weekly, monthly, quarterly or annually. To check precisely which tasks you need to perform for your make and model, you will need to consult the manufacturer’s manual for a more precise itinerary.
Manufacturers specify schedules in terms of both hours of use or time elapsed since the last service. For instance, you might have to perform oil changes after every 250 hours of use or every three months, whichever comes sooner.
Here are some monthly maintenance tasks that you will need to carry out on forklifts in your fleet:
1. Lubricating the chassis-mast attachment
2. Swapping out the engine filter for a new one
3. Cleaning and wiping down battery terminals
4. Checking fluid levels are correct using available dipsticks and gauges
5. Exploring the hydraulics system in full to check that all cylinders, hoses, valves and fittings are secure
6. Checking all fuel-related components, such as spark plugs, mufflers, ignition switches, filters and belts
7. Checking the parking brake
8. Checking the tread on the tyres
9. Checking alarms and lights
10. Testing the battery
Annual forklift maintenance
While daily and monthly maintenance can help keep your forklift in good condition, you’ll want to bring it in for professional inspection and forklift servicing once a year, just like any other vehicle. This allows technicians to give it a full bill of health and replace any parts that might be worn out. Preventative maintenance is, on average, four times cheaper than full-blown repairs.
When to take your forklift for a professional service
You should take your forklift for professional service if you notice:
1. Higher emissions, strong odours or vapours
2. Harsh, rough ride, perhaps because of uneven tyre wear or suspension issues
3. Brittle or cracked hoses
4. Rough idling or choking sounds coming from the engine
5. Engine temperatures exceeding thermal limits even after mild use
6. An engine that turns over too slowly while idly
7. Irregular or inconsistent braking performance
8. Inability to cycle the fork through the full range of motion
Conclusion
By performing regular checks of your forklift, you can not only make it safer but keep it in operation longer. This way, you can lower your liability risks and capital outlays long-term.
If you are looking for regular support with servicing your forklifts, get in touch to find out how our team can help.
