Forklifts are essential tools for any industrial setting. Whether you work in a warehouse or manufacturing plant, you need a surplus of forklifts ready to help you with all of the heavy lifting. In order to maximize the performance of your material-handling machinery, it’s important to keep your forklift in pristine condition. Establishing a comprehensive forklift maintenance schedule is a great way to maintain the edge you need in order to keep your operation running smoothly.
If you own any forklifts, then this should be the preventative maintenance plan that you should be practicing on a regular basis:
Monitor Fluid Levels:
The first step in proper forklift preventative maintenance is to inspect the vehicle’s fluid intake. Make sure that your operating equipment always has an adequate amount of fluid in each compartment. Check the each forklift’s level of oil, water, and hydraulic fluid. If the machine doesn’t have the minimum fluid-intake, make sure you are refilling the forklift as needed. Refer to the owner’s manual if there is any confusion about fluid controls.
Inspect For Defects:
Always assess the overall condition of the forklift. Check for leaks, cracks, and any other visible defects that could disrupt the way you operate the vehicle. If you do spot anything that needs to be repaired, make sure you notate the damage and report the issue immediately. Snap pictures and acquire an estimate for damage control.
Check Tire Conditions:
Always perform a thorough inspection around the wheel of a forklift. Check the tire condition, monitor its pressure levels, and be on the lookout for any cuts or punctures. Remember to have extra tires stored in case you need the part needs to be replaced. If a tire is beyond repairable condition, then those spare tires will do the trick needed to keep your forklift operation in optimal shape.
Keep The Batteries Charged:
When it comes to electric forklift maintenance, it’s important to keep each vehicle supported with plenty of juice. The battery life of a forklift is limited so you need to make sure that you are giving the equipment plenty of time to charge. It helps to follow a schedule with a charging cycle program. Finally, make sure that you have a surplus of extra forklift batteries available in case you need to change out any sources of power that has gone dead.
Assess All Safety Functions:
You need to make sure that all of your safety devices are fully-functional. Test the seat belts, horns, lights, steering system, and brakes before operating the vehicle. If any of these items don’t pass safety inspection, then the forklift should not be operated with until they are repaired. Always report any fixtures that need to be improved. Make sure that every operational item is always in proper working order and works accordingly to each safety standard.