Forklift trucks are powerful commercial vehicles used in many industries. However, they are also very expensive, with new trucks costing anywhere from $15,000 to $30,000. This is why proper forklift maintenance is essential for a longer service life.
Conducting inspections is the key to proper lift truck maintenance. But, to truly enjoy the benefits of regular checks, you must conduct comprehensive checks.
Why Forklifts Are So Dangerous
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), about 34,900 forklift accidents happen every year. Lift trucks are dangerous for a number of reasons. Firstly, they can weigh as much as 9,000 pounds and can travel up to 18 mph, providing a great force of impact when colliding with pedestrians.
These vehicles can also lose balance easily, especially when carrying heavy loads. Their front brakes make it harder for them to stop. When parts malfunction, accidents can also occur.
Inspections Can Save the Day
Regular checks are important because they can draw an operator’s attention to safety. Inspections also identify potential issues, which can be addressed during regular forklift maintenance to save on high repair costs.
A comprehensive forklift maintenance plan can be important for providing safe working conditions and protecting a business’s bottom line. It ensures that maintenance managers and operators are aligned.
What to Check During Routine Inspections
To ensure that your inspections are effective, you’ll need to focus on important aspects, such as the following:
- Engine oil and filter. Assess the condition of the engine and engine oil levels.
- Braking system. Checking for damage to brake pads, drums, and other parts can prevent high maintenance costs.
- Exhaust system. There shouldn’t be any clogs, damage, or leaks in your exhaust system.
- Coolant levels. Check that coolant levels are sufficient to prevent overheating.
- Safety devices. Make sure that seat belts and other safety features are working correctly.
- Air filter. Look at the filter to see whether it is clean.
- Tires. Search for damage and check tire pressure.
- Lights and alarms. Check whether these important safety features work properly.
- Fuel system. Make sure that fuel filters are free of debris and look for any leaks or blockages in the system.
- Lift truck controls. The operator controls should also work properly.
- Forks. You should also look for any defects on the forks to prevent loads from falling.
- Hydraulic and transmission fluid. Check fluid levels to ensure that they are in acceptable ranges.
- Steering wheel. Make sure that there is moveability and no leaks.
Keep in mind that there are different types of forklifts on the market, so a diesel forklift maintenance checklist will be different from inspection forms designed for electric forklifts or internal combustion engine forklifts.
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