Forklift Maintenance Essentials

Forklift Maintenance Essentials

The maintenance essentials of forklifts are crucial to ensuring their smooth operation, extending their service life,

and guaranteeing operational safety.The following are the main aspects of forklift maintenance:

I. Daily Maintenance

1. Appearance Inspection:
   • Daily inspect the forklift's appearance, including paintwork, tires, lights, etc., for any visible damage or wear.
   • Clean dirt and grime from the forklift, focusing on the cargo fork frame, gantry slideway, generator and starter, battery terminals, water tank, air filter, and other parts.
2. Hydraulic System Inspection:
   • Check the forklift's hydraulic oil level for normality and inspect hydraulic lines for leaks or damage.
   • Pay special attention to the sealing and leakage conditions of pipe fittings, diesel tanks, fuel tanks, brake pumps, lifting cylinders, tilt cylinders, and other components.
3. Brake System Inspection:
   • Ensure the brake system functions properly, with brake pads in good condition and brake fluid levels normal.
   • Inspect and adjust the gap between the brake pads and drums for hand and foot brakes.
4. Tire Inspection:
   • Check tire pressure and wear, ensuring no cracks or embedded foreign objects.
   • Inspect wheel rims for deformation to prevent premature tire wear.
5. Electrical System Inspection:
   • Inspect battery electrolyte levels, cable connections for tightness, and ensure lighting, horns, and other electrical equipment function correctly.
   • For battery-powered forklifts, regularly check electrolyte levels and concentrations to ensure proper battery operation.
6. Fastening Connectors:
   • Inspect forklift components for tightness, such as bolts and nuts, to prevent loosening that could lead to malfunctions.
   • Pay particular attention to key areas like cargo fork frame fasteners, chain fasteners, wheel screws, wheel retaining pins, brake and steering mechanism screws.
7. Lubrication Points:
   • Follow the forklift's operating manual to regularly lubricate lubrication points, such as the pivot points of the fork arms, sliding grooves of the forks, steering levers, etc.
   • Lubrication reduces friction and maintains the forklift's flexibility and normal operation.

II. Periodic Maintenance

1. Engine Oil and Filter Replacement:
   • Every four months or 500 hours (depending on the specific model and usage), replace engine oil and the three filters (air filter, oil filter, and fuel filter).
   • This ensures clean air and fuel enter the engine, reducing wear on parts and air resistance.
2. Thorough Inspection and Adjustment:
   • Inspect and adjust valve clearances, thermostat operation, multi-way directional valves, gear pumps, and other components' working conditions.
   • Drain and replace engine oil from the oil pan, cleaning the oil filter and diesel filter.
3. Safety Device Inspection:
   • Regularly inspect forklift safety devices, such as seatbelts and protective covers, to ensure they are intact and effective.

III. Other Considerations

1. Standardized Operation:
   • Forklift operators should follow operating procedures, avoiding aggressive maneuvers like hard acceleration and braking, to reduce forklift wear.
2. Maintenance Records:
   • Establish a forklift maintenance record sheet, detailing the content and time of each maintenance activity for easy tracking and management.
3. Issue Reporting:
   • If abnormalities or malfunctions are discovered with the forklift, promptly report to superiors and request professional maintenance personnel for inspection and repair.

In summary, the maintenance essentials of forklifts encompass daily maintenance, periodic maintenance, standardized operation, and record-keeping and feedback.

Comprehensive maintenance measures ensure the forklift's good condition, enhancing work efficiency and safety.