Tired of strange exhaust smells? Or, the sound of grinding gears? If your forklift isn’t performing the way that it used to, finding the right forklift repair service should rank at the top of your list of priorities.
Even the most durable forklifts wear down over time, especially when they see lots of pedal hours.
Regular maintenance is a great start when it comes to ensuring you get the most from your equipment. So is top-level training from industry professionals for each of the employees who will be operating your forklift.
But sometimes more extensive repairs are needed. Let’s dive into five red flags that indicate it’s time for forklift repair.
1. Forklift Mast Parts
Do you hear grinding sounds when lowering or raising your lift? Or, do you see scrape marks on the mast? If so, then you’ll likely need forklift services such as readjustment or replacement of your rollers and bearings.
The forklift mast includes a handful of individual parts, and they each need different levels of attention when it comes to maintenance and repairs.
Other red flags include lift operation that no longer goes as high as it used to (or takes longer than it once did) and fork tips that aren’t parallel or even.
2. Forklift Tires
Do you notice unusual noises coming from your tires or wheels? Perhaps a squeaking sound? If so, then it’s time to take a look at your wheel bearings. If these check out, then inspect your tires for signs that the tire is separating from the rim.
Of course, you shouldn’t wait for problems when it comes to tire inspections. Check them out regularly looking for signs of wear such as balding or cracking. If you find evidence of this, it’s time to replace them.
3. Forklift Brakes
Staying on top of brake maintenance is crucial to safety in the workplace. After all, a sudden problem with these essential components can result in serious injury to your employees and damage to your forklift and other assets.
What should you watch out for? Like tires, brake wear is easy to spot. But you’ll need to stay on top of consistent inspections.
What’s more, if you hear grinding when you apply the brakes, it’s time to get your brake shoes checked out.
4. Forklift Air and Oil Filters
Forklift filter problems manifest similarly to those with automobiles. Filters that require replacement can impact everything from engine performance to fuel economy.
They can also result in a forklift working harder overall, which can lead to even more wear and tear. Other things to watch out for include weird smells, diminishing returns on fuel, and dark, thick exhaust coming from your lift.
5. Lights, Horns, and Alarms
For the safety of your workplace, you also need to check your lights, horn, and alarms regularly. That way, you avoid potential employee injuries further down the road.
Although you might dread the downtime necessary for your forklift to get repaired, this still far outweighs an employee suffering a work-related injury due to poor maintenance of lights, alarms, and horns.
The Right Forklift Repair Service
When you work with the right forklift repair service, they’ll be able to get to the root of your problem and fix it quickly. They’ll also rely on quality parts and provide top of the line maintenance.
We’re here to help. Contact us today to discuss the red flags your forklift has been giving you and the next steps when it comes to repairs.