How often do you think about what’s powering your forklift during long shifts? If the forklift motor isn’t properly maintained, performance can dip and breakdowns become more likely.
This can cost time and money. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), there are up to 9,000 forklift accident injuries every year, and poor maintenance is a leading cause.
That makes regular care essential. Today we’re taking a closer look into practical ways to maintain your forklift motor efficiently!
Understand Your Forklift Motor’s Design and Operation
Before you can take proper care of your forklift motor, you need to know how it works. Some forklifts run on electric motors, while others use internal combustion engines powered by diesel, propane, or gasoline.
Electric forklift motors, for example, depend heavily on battery health and proper charging practices. Internal combustion motors, on the other hand, need oil changes, air filter replacements, and regular fluid checks. If you know what kind of motor your forklift has, you’ll be better prepared to take care of it.
If you understand the general layout and function of your forklift motor, you’ll be more likely to catch early signs of trouble. It might include odd noises, slower response times, or overheating. Spotting these issues early can prevent larger breakdowns that cost more and take longer to fix.
Knowing the limits of your forklift motor helps you avoid unnecessary strain. Operators who understand how the motor reacts under pressure are less likely to push it too hard.
Stick to a Regular Maintenance Schedule
If you want your forklift to run smoothly for years, you need to stick to a regular maintenance schedule. There are three main reasons why regular care makes such a difference:
- It helps prevent wear and tear from turning into serious damage
- It keeps small parts like filters and fluids in working order
- It extends the life of your forklift motor
It Helps Prevent Wear and Tear from Turning into Serious Damage
Forklifts work hard. Over time, parts wear down from daily use. If these parts aren’t inspected often, a small issue can grow into something much worse. Regular service helps catch these problems early so they don’t lead to breakdowns that take your machine out of action.
It Keeps Small Parts Like Filters and Fluids in Working Order
Fluids like engine oil, coolant, and hydraulic fluid break down over time or get dirty. Filters clog and stop doing their job.
When you follow a set maintenance schedule, these parts are checked and replaced before they become a problem. That keeps the forklift motor running at full strength.
Extend Forklift Motor Life
A forklift motor that’s cared for lasts longer. When you change the oil on time, check the belts, and replace air filters, you help the engine work the way it was designed to.
That reduces strain and improves performance. It also means fewer unexpected repairs and a longer gap between major overhauls.
Inspect and Replace Worn-Out Components Promptly
Over time, parts wear down from normal use. If they’re not checked and replaced early, they can put extra stress on the motor and lead to bigger problems.
There are three key reasons to stay on top of this:
- Worn-out parts can cause more serious damage to the motor
- Replacing small parts is cheaper than fixing major breakdowns
- Staying ahead of repairs helps prolong forklift lifespan
Worn-Out Parts Can Cause More Serious Damage to the Motor
When parts like spark plugs, belts, or hoses start to wear out, they don’t just affect the part itself. They make the forklift motor work harder to do its job. That extra strain can lead to overheating or failure.
Fixing one broken belt is quick. Fixing a motor that failed from overheating takes much more time and money.
Replacing Small Parts Is Cheaper Than Fixing Major Breakdowns
It costs less to replace small parts regularly than to wait until something breaks completely. A clogged filter or cracked hose might not seem like a big deal, but ignoring it could lead to leaks, overheating, or stalled equipment. That means downtime, lost productivity, and bigger bills.
Staying Ahead of Repairs Helps Prolong Forklift Lifespan
Routine part checks keep everything running smoother, which helps you get more years out of your forklift. Replacing what’s worn before it breaks is a simple way to take pressure off the motor. Less stress on the motor means fewer major repairs and a longer working life.
Forklift Engine Care: Keep the Motor Clean and Debris-Free
A dirty motor can wear out faster, lose power, and even break down. There are three clear reasons why it’s worth keeping your forklift motor clean:
- Clean motors run cooler and more efficiently
- Dirt buildup can block filters and damage parts
- A cleaner engine makes it easier to spot leaks or wear
Clean Motors
When the surface of the engine is covered in grime or dust, it holds in heat. That trapped heat can cause parts to work harder or even shut down during long shifts.
A clean forklift motor stays cooler and runs more smoothly. This helps avoid temperature-related wear and supports better performance during daily use.
Dirt Buildup
Dust and dirt don’t just sit on the outside. They can get pulled into the engine through vents or worn seals.
This can clog air filters, reduce airflow, or even scratch engine components. Over time, that damage can affect performance and shorten the motor’s life.
Spot Leaks or Wear
If your motor is covered in oil, dirt, or grease, it’s harder to spot when something’s wrong. A clean engine makes leaks, cracks, and worn parts easier to see. That means you can take care of problems faster and avoid larger repairs down the line.
Forklift Motor Maintenance
Taking care of your forklift motor isn’t complicated, but it does require consistency.
At Superior Industrial Products, we aim to be more than a vendor – we want to be your long-term partner. As a full-service industrial equipment provider, we cover all your material handling needs with reliable forklift services, quality parts and maintenance, and more!
Get in touch today to find out how we can help with your forklift needs!