Nothing is more heartbreaking than watching your forklift breakdown due to fully-preventable neglect.
As with any sort of machine, conducting regular maintenance will ensure that it lasts for a long time.
Having regularly-scheduled forklift maintenance will get you your money’s worth as well as reduce forklift accidents while keeping your employees safe.
Wondering what forklift maintenance looks like? Keep on reading for the top five tips to get your forklift working like clockwork.
1. Forklift Maintenance 101: The Daily Check-Up
Taking preventative measures the moment you find a potential problem can save you hundreds of dollars in the long run.
The way to find these pesky problems? Simple. The daily check-up.
Not only is it an OSHA requirement to conduct check-ups, but also it’ll give you the opportunity to confirm the safety of the forklift before its use and discover any issues that can interfere with the operation of the machine.
The best way to tackle these checks is by using a standardized checklist. You can use the OSHA checklist as a basis for creating your own.
2. Follow the Manufacturer’s Manual
Depending on your forklift’s manufacturer, your forklift’s maintenance schedule might differ. Moreover, it can provide unique insights as to when it would be prudent to have an in-depth inspection.
Also, it’ll help you set a timeline for specific tasks like oil changes, brake and drive train servicing. Once you know the best time to complete those tasks, you can avoid dealing with any avoidable unexpected problems.
3. Your Forklift’s Tires: Check Them Religiously
Forklift tires can wear out quicker than you might think.
If your forklift takes the same exact paths around the warehouse, this can cause the tires to wear out faster on one side than the other.
To avoid all the tire angst, make sure to add checking your tires to your daily inspection. It should cover a pressure check and a visual examination to make sure they’re in good condition with a solid tread.
4. Clean Your Forklifts Weekly
The buildup of combustible materials on your machine doesn’t stay on the outer surface, it makes its way into the gears and radiators.
Needless to say, the less frequently you give your forklifts a good cleanup, the more that buildup grows. This buildup will cause problems with both safety and operation effectiveness.
This can be easily avoided by putting weekly cleanings on your forklift maintenance plan. And, if you’re stretched too thin, there are numerous benefits to getting maintenance done by a forklift company.
5. Fix Problems Instantly
Even with a solid maintenance schedule in place, there will be times when unexpected problems with your forklift will show up.
For example, an operator might take note of a forklift break becoming soft over the course of a shift.
Instead of trying to keep pushing the problem aside by virtue of being a bit minor in nature, you must address this issue as soon as possible to prevent it from becoming a bigger problem down the road or causing an accident.
Ready to Give Your Forklift a Makeover?
It might seem like a bigger task than it actually is. However, setting up a solid forklift maintenance plan can be quite simple and will save you a tremendous amount of time and money.
Now that you know the top five forklift maintenance tips, you can start by taking a look at your forklifts’ current state.
If you find signs that your forklift needs repairs, make sure to contact us and we’ll set you on the right path in no time.