Just like cars, servicing and providing regular maintenance to your forklift is essential to keeping both your lift and your business running smoothly.
Neglecting your lift could cause it to break down frequently, put your operators at risk, and could result in an entirely new forklift purchase if the damage is extensive. To make the most out of your investment, here are five ways to ensure your lift always runs properly.
Daily Inspections
OSHA requires that all forklifts be checked every day. These daily inspections are a good way to spot potential problems early and ensure that the lift is safe for use before every shift. Daily inspections will also save you time and money when it comes to repairing problems before they compromise the operation of your forklift.
OSHA provides a standard checklist of what to inspect before each shift. Some points you should be checking include:
- Tire pressure and conditions
- Fluid levels
- Forks and chains
- Overhead guards
- Hoses
- Brake performance
- Seat belt function
Follow the Manufacturer’s Maintenance Schedule
Check your manual to see how often they recommend forklift maintenance. Again, just like a car, forklifts require in-depth inspections or services after a certain amount of time or after a certain amount of usage. These services can include oil changes, inspecting the brakes and drive train, checking the tire conditions, spark plug replacements, and anything else that is recommended by the manufacturer. Adhering to this maintenance can help you avoid larger problems that could compromise your operator’s safety and cost you time and money.
Check the Tires
Tires are one of the parts you should be checking on a regular basis as they are essential for operation. Tires can wear quickly on a forklift, especially if there’s heavy use of the machine on a daily basis. Repetitive motion can cause the tires to wear out faster on one side over another as well as deflate, spring leaks, or lose their tread. Make sure to inspect them daily for any list tire pressure and perform a visual examination to ensure they have enough tread. OSHA requires a forklift to be removed from service if tires are missing pieces of rubber. Be sure to also remove any machines that have damaged or leaking tires, as well as these, they can pose potential dangers to warehouse employees.
Clean Your Forklifts
Not everyone likes cleaning, but cleaning your forklift does much more than keeping your machine shiny. Cleaning your lift is an important safety feature that can prevent the buildup of combustible materials (like lint) on your machine. It also prevents blocked radiators that can hinder the safety and operation of your lift.
These cleanings should be done weekly and include blowing out the radiator, cleaning filters, and wiping down your machine. By incorporating this regular cleaning into your weekly schedule, you’ll extend the lifetime of your lift and save money by reducing wear and tear on the machine.
Sign Up for a Comprehensive Maintenance Plan
To properly maintain your forklifts, a local equipment company might offer a forklift maintenance plan. At Naumann/Hobbs, our Planned Maintenance Program is a great way to get the return on investment of your machine. Our service experts will help you save more and get the most out of your forklifts, carts, and boom lifts. We’ll use the factory-recommended maintenance checks and repairs.
Sign Up with Naumann/Hobbs
By keeping your forklift clean and taking care of problems as soon as they arise, you’ll extend the life of your forklift and keep your business running smoothly. Want more on how to keep your forklift performing its best at all times? Fill out our contact form or give us a call, our forklift experts are ready to help.
