Fork lift trucks are a mainstay of British commerce with applications in all sectors of manufacturing, industry and retail. We have come to rely on them to lift and move a diverse array of items around a variety of different environments and their power and manoeuvrability has become indispensable. Whether your organisation owns forklifts outright or leases them through a rental package, regular maintenance is essential to sustain maximum performance and safety.
Regular inspections
Ideally, fork lift trucks should be inspected both on a daily basis and more thoroughly every six months or so, depending on how the equipment is used.
Daily inspections should primarily be visual and completed by the driver before starting their shift. The checks should note the general condition of the vehicle as well as ensuring it functions correctly. Any problems should be immediately noted with a senior member of staff. Drivers should be paying particular attention to the following:
• The floor and overhead areas are clear of obstructions
• The fire extinguisher is on board and is full
• The battery is fully-charged and secured firmly, with clean, secure connections
• The oil, fuel and radiator water levels are correct
• There are no exposed wires visible
• The vent caps are not obstructed by dirt or dust
• All bolts, nuts, chains and guards are present and in good condition
• The air pressure on the tyres is at the correct level and that tyres are not worn or damaged
• There is no evidence of leaks underneath the vehicle and finally
• That the forks are neither distorted nor cracked.
Six monthly checks should be more comprehensive and may concentrate on the forks themselves. This may include:
• Checking the fork blades for wear and tear. As they are continually in use, they may become abraded which can reduce their strength and reduce the truck’s capacity to lift safely.
• The blades should also be checked to ensure there is no distortion along their length. If they are bent, they can be repaired, depending on the severity of the damage. Companies such as forklifttrucks.biz can offer advice on repairs and maintenance of a variety of fork lift models.
• Checking for cracks in the heel and the hanger. These may appear on forks which have had attachments welded to them or on the inside of the bend area. Checks involving magnetic particles or dye penetration can establish whether cracks are present and, depending on the depth of the crack, remedial polishing or grinding may make it safe.
• If the forks are beyond repair, it’s important to get them replaced as soon as possible with good-quality, preferably forged ones.
It is a legal requirement that fork lift trucks are regularly inspected to avoid both accidents and downtime. Manufacturers’ guidelines will recommend how long a machine can be used for before it requires scheduled maintenance and your fork lift truck dealer will be able to give you more guidance on the intervals between checks which is usually rounded up from
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