Machinery used in industries, warehouses, or other places must be maintained. It is the backbone of an industry and helps streamline work. This article is about forklifts, which provide support by handling heavy lifting tasks in warehouses. A forklift’s work is rough and tough. It is used for hours in a warehouse and requires maintenance and repair; otherwise, it may stop working effectively.
Are you also neglecting the forklift repair and maintenance? If so, those minor issues may eventually become significant. It may then require you to spend excessive downtown repair time. Unrepaired and unmaintained forklifts can also pose an impact on the safety of people.
If you also want to safeguard your workers’ health and don’t want these cases in your industry, start maintaining and repairing your forklifts. This article will highlight:
- What is the importance of maintaining and repairing forklifts?
- How can you maintain forklifts in your warehouse?
- Tips on repairing forklift
What is the importance of maintaining and repairing forklifts?
There are various benefits of maintaining and repairing forklifts, including:
Safety of the Workers
The primary reason to maintain and repair forklifts should be the safety of the workers. When you get proper repairs and maintenance of your forklifts, workplace accidents can be reduced. Repairing can reduce the risk of malfunctioning and breakdown of the lift. According to data from the NSC, the death rate and injury rate are high. So, by repairing and maintaining the forklifts, deaths and injuries can be reduced, safeguarding many lives.
Increased Productivity
Are you experiencing unexpected forklift breakdowns that lead to worker injury and low productivity? If your answer is yes, then that’s because you’re not maintaining or repairing your forklifts on time. Proper maintenance can prevent unwanted breakdowns, leading to high productivity.
A well-maintained and repaired machine will work smoothly without any issues; that’s how forklifts work. When you care for them, they run smoothly and boost productivity.
Cost-Effectiveness
- Regular maintenance can help you save money that you might have to spend on extended repairs. By regularly maintaining your forklifts, you can catch small issues beforehand, leading to lower repair costs.
- Maintenance prolongs your forklift’s lifespan, saving you from spending on a new forklift.
- If you want a high resale value for your forklift, start maintaining it now! A well-maintained forklift can provide you with increased resale value.
Reliability
During your rough and challenging work, what you need is a reliable forklift that can ease your work. Maintained forklifts to ensure they are ready to use when you need them.
How can you Maintain Forklifts in Your Warehouse?
Conduct Pre-Operational Check Daily
- To ensure your forklifts are working effectively, you must conduct a pre-operational check daily. This will help you identify any issues before using the forklift.
- Check if there is any visible damage, leaks, or loose parts that can cause injury.
- Check out the tire inflation to see if it’s optimal or not. If it’s not, inflate it for optimal performance.
- Check the engine oil beforehand and refuel it if required.
- Test the functionality of the horn, lights, carriage, tilt cylinder and other parts if they are working correctly or not.
Prepare a Regular Maintenance Schedule
- Prepare a regular maintenance schedule for your forklifts. If you don’t know how to change the engine oil, you can also refer to the manufacturer’s recommended interval to change the oil and your engine will start working smoothly.
- Filter replacement should also be done to ensure your forklift is working efficiently. Replace air, fuel, and hydraulic filters. They are needed to maintain the optimal performance of the engine and also prevents any damage.
- Look after the mast and forks to ensure they are working. They are one of the primary things you need to ensure you are able to lift the material. Inspect the mast and forks thoroughly to ensure there is no damage, cracks, or excessive wear.
Train Operators
If you have trained operators for the forklift, that’s good, but if not, you should train them. Handling a forklift is not an easy task, and it should be operated carefully. The operators should also be aware of all the safety features, maintenance procedures, and emergency procedures.
Record Keeping
Keep a record of all maintenance activities along with the date, task performed, and any issues identified. The documentation is necessary as it can help keep you up-to-date about what is lacking in your forklifts.
Tips on Repairing Forklift
Safety First
- The initial step before repairing a forklift is making sure that it is parked on a level surface and that the brakes are engaged. This will help you troubleshoot the forklift.
- There might be cases of accidental start of the forklift, so make you remove it. And wear safety equipment and gear including gloves, safety glasses and more.
Basic Troubleshooting
Forklift repair is only possible when you find the issue. Identify the type of problem by inspecting the forklift. If there are any issues with hydraulic leaks, engine failure, electrical malfunction, or something else, make sure you check engine oil, hydraulic fluid, and coolant levels.
Belt and hose inspection should also be done to look for signs of wear, cracks, or leaks.
Before working on the repair, use a multimeter to check the voltage and the current.
General Repairs
- If there are any general repairs which are required, you can DIY. You can change the damaged hoses and fittings.
- Check out the hydraulic pump for leaks to ensure your forklift helps you when you need it the most.
- If you see there are any worn spark plugs or filters, you should change them. These are a part of repairs, too.
- Repair or replace damaged engine parts, switches or control modules that can hinder the work of a forklift.
- If there are any faulty wiring or connectors, restore them as soon as possible.
Specialized Tools and Equipment
You may be required to have specialized tools such as hydraulic presses, torque wrenches, and diagnostic equipment.
You will also need the correct parts and components for the specific model.
Call a Professional
If you are in doubt about any repairs, you should seek the forklift services of a qualified technician.
Major repairs or tricky problems should be left to experts. Taking these challenges into your own hands can be a concern, but when you get help from a professional, they can repair your forklift accurately.
In a Nutshell!
Forklift repair and maintenance is all about taking care of your and your workers’ health. This also helps you save a lot of money in the long term. Your forklifts will work effectively, increasing productivity. Though doing the repairs and maintenance yourself can save you time and cost, it is essential to care for your safety. Maintain and repair your forklifts from a forklift services provider or DIY on time and streamline your work.
