Forklift maintenance involves specialized programs for the engine, hydraulic system, and tires. Certified mechanics are required in some locations to ensure safe repairs. Regular maintenance schedules are important for both electric and gas-powered forklifts, including attention to the drive system, hydraulic service, and tire condition.
There are many areas to focus on when performing forklift maintenance. The gas engine or electric motor, hydraulic system and tires are often involved in specialized forklift maintenance programs. In many locations, all forklift maintenance and repairs are required to be completed by a qualified and certified mechanic, such as those certified by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration or OSHA in the United States. These regulated groups inspect all repair facilities to ensure that competent workers are making acceptable repairs and are not further endangering forklift operators or workers in the vicinity of a forklift. While most forklift operators do a pre-shift check of their equipment, comprehensive maintenance schedules are completed at a pre-determined hourly interval or when problems arise.
One of the main areas requiring targeted forklift maintenance is the drive motor in battery-operated forklifts and the engine in gas-powered machines. Due to the long working periods a forklift operates on, the drive system is heavily taxed. In electric models, forklift maintenance centers around the batteries and cables, with the electric motor receiving periodic care. Maintaining the correct fluid level in the battery pack is a key element of forklift maintenance. The cooling system of gas-powered models is the benefactor of most forklift maintenance, which is performed to ensure that the radiator is clean and air can be easily drawn through it.
Both types of forklifts require specialized hydraulic service. Maintaining hydraulic fluid levels and replacing filters allow units to operate without accidents and problems related to the machine’s hydraulic system. Examination of the forklift’s lifting gear and forks is vital to ensure that no cracks go unnoticed, which could lead to catastrophic failure when a load is lifted into the air. Any cracks must be repaired immediately by welding or by replacing the entire structure. Any welding must be performed by a certified welder and inspected before the forklift can be returned to service.
One area that is sometimes overlooked in forklift maintenance is the tires. Dented, ripped and torn tires are often the cause of a forklift overturning when lifting a heavy load into the air. Hard rubber tires are a key component in stabilizing the forklift and providing a stable base on which to operate. Any tires deemed unusable for any reason should be replaced when servicing the forklift. This involves removing the wheel and pressing the tire out and getting a new tire. Slick tires are used on indoor forklifts while tread tires are used on both indoor and outdoor operational forklifts.
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