For many construction, industrial and warehouse operations, forklifts are an essential piece of equipment. Meaning, thus, that if you have any such operations to take care of within your business, you will absolutely need to own one of these. Of course, whether you have both a brand new forklift or a used one, there is certainly no doubt that you will need to properly maintain it.
This may not be something you thought about when you were making the purchase, but it is something that will soon become completely clear to you, once you start using this machine. And, of course, one of the best things to do when in need of this is find great quality Forklift Maintenance Near You and let the professionals handle the hard work. Let us not get ahead of ourselves, though.
You are here because you want to know how to maintain your forklift. Meaning, thus, that you want to get some useful maintenance tips. And, what we are going to do right now is provide you with those specific tips, in an effort to give you a better idea about what you should keep in mind and what to do in order to have these machines operating smoothly. So, without any further ado, let us get started.
- Stick to That Maintenance Schedule
When you buy a forklift, it will come with a maintenance schedule recommended by the manufacturer. And, this is certainly not something you should ignore or take for granted. Quite on the contrary, to keep the machine running perfectly, and to avoid any breakdowns and downtime, you should definitely stick to that particular schedule. The schedule will tell you more about when to perform specific maintenance tasks based on the actual operating hours, so it will certainly be helpful in keeping the machine running.
- But Don’t Forget Daily Inspections Either
Now, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t do anything outside the schedule. In fact, you should absolutely do daily pre-operation inspections, as those are necessary for safe operation, while also helpful in identifying any small issues before they turn into big and serious ones. So, before every shift, you should inspect things like tire condition and pressure, fluid levels, brake and steering functions, chain tension and wear, as well as check whether there are any cracks or bends on the mast or the fork itself. As mentioned, this will help you uncover any issues on time, which, apart from saving your time, will also save you money, as you won’t have to pay for costly repairs.
Perhaps it would help for you to know how forklifts work when inspecting them: https://science.howstuffworks.com/transport/engines-equipment/forklift.htm
- Keep the Piece of Equipment Clean
There is one thing that, even though it should go without saying, is often ignored by a lot of businesses. Basically, I am talking about the idea of keeping this piece of equipment clean at all times. It is easy to just leave the forklift be after a whole day, or more, of operating in dusty and dirty environments. The truth is, though, that the dirt and the debris can build up on the crucial components, thus leading to failure.
It is, therefore, your task here to regularly clean this machine. Make sure to remove the dust from the engine components. Then, clean the chain and the mast to prevent debris buildup, and don’t forget to remove the debris from the radiators as well, in order to prevent overheating. Of course, remember to also wash the tires. Clean equipment is going to not only run smoothly, but also be easier to inspect for any kind of damage.
- Pay Attention to Those Warning Lights
Those dashboard indicators and alarms on the forklift are there for a reason. They signal all kinds of issues with this machine, which is why you should not ignore them. Instead, whenever any kind of a warning light comes on, you should stop using the machine and inspect it to see what may be wrong. If you ignore the alerts, a small issue could easily become a huge one in the future. Click this if you’re not exactly sure how to drive a forklift.
- Partner Up With Professionals for Regular Maintenance
Now, the main thing to do when you want to keep your forklift running smoothly and without any issues is partner up with professionals that will provide you with regular maintenance services. These are absolutely essential, so don’t take them for granted. Professional maintenance will give you the peace of mind you need, while also making sure you are staying in compliance with all the important regulations, and uncover any issues on time, so that they can be safely resolved, and without any downtime. Just make sure to choose the right company to provide you with these services, and then have them scheduled on a regular basis.