A forklift is a useful piece of equipment that is integral to the building and construction industry. It helps ease operational tasks which in turn speeds up a job. Just like any other piece of heavy-duty equipment, forklifts also require regular care and maintenance. If you look after them, they can last for over 10 years. Since the consistent use of forklifts could lead to general wear and tear, maintaining them allows you to ensure that all your transportation and services take place smoothly. Thankfully, repairing and maintaining a forklift isn’t as difficult as you may think, therefore, to help you out, we’ve put together some top tips on forklift maintenance.
1. Check your tyres regularly
Out of all the routine checks, you follow for your forklift, the most important one is to check the tyres. It’s important that you check the tyre pressure, to ensure you avoid the risk of accidents occurring, ensure proper usage of gas and maximise gas economy. If your tyres are under-inflated, it could lead to poor traction which could result in an accident. However, remember that overinflated tyres could blow out and put your forklift out of action. So it’s therefore important to get it just right. Keep a useful gauge and check your tyres weekly. Ensure you inflate the wheels to the best pressure and make the most out of your forklift operations.
2. Change the oil and fluids every 3 months
A forklift contains fluids such as transmission fluids, hydraulic fluids, motor oil, coolants amongst others. These are all essential to ensure it’s in working condition. These fluids help the engine function well along with other parts of the forklift. When you change the oils in the forklift, it is the same regimen as it is in a car. By ensuring you change the oil on a regular basis you will provide quality utilisation and aid longevity. So, in summary, change the fluids in your forklift every three months to improve it’s overall performance, increase its fuel economy and prevent engine issues.
3. Safety check your brakes
If you find you are having issues with the brakes of your forklift, then this is a serious problem. If you notice any issues with the brakes, then it’s important that they are fixed immediately. The risk of your brakes not working could lead to serious repercussions. Your breaks will become softer which will only result in your pushing them harder which will cause recurring issues. In case you need to change the brake pads or calipers, do so as this will only take a few minutes to do and it will ensure that your forklift remains safe to use without any disastrous consequences. Forklift repairs are a vital part of maintenance and this is one you shouldn’t overlook.
4. Check the antifreeze levels
Antifreeze or coolant helps to prevent your forklift’s engine from overheating or freezing. It will also help in the prevention of the corrosion. To avoid overheating or freezing, you need to ensure that you regularly check the levels of antifreeze in the reservoir. When a forklift has minimal or no antifreeze, overheating becomes a reoccurring issue. Often, this happens at inconvenient times, in the middle of intense operations. In order to avoid this dilemma, it’s necessary that you inspect the reservoir and radiator for any form of leaks that could cause the levels to reduce. If you discover a leak, you should plug the hole or install a new radiator. It’s important to maintain a ratio of 50-50 of antifreeze and water in the reservoir. This is because, if you use a mixture that is highly concentrated, it can ruin the performance of your forklifts engine and lead to other issues.
5. Ensure the forks on your forklift are straight
It’s important to make sure that the forks remain straight. This is because your forks keep your load stable and ensure smooth and easy movement of high weight levels of cargo in each shift. Even just a tiny bend in the forklifts can affect the performance and most importantly, safety. It’s therefore important that you make sure your forklift is good to go, or you will need to repair or replace them. If you follow these tips to help you maintain your forklift then you will have a forklift that performs brilliantly on each job, and that is safe for use. If you are ever unsure about any aspect of your forklift maintenance, then it’s important that you consult experienced dealers in the forklift industry who can help assist you with the maintenance and care– like the guys at Budget Forktrucks Ltd. They can guide you on the right steps you need to follow in order to keep your forklift in tip-top condition all year round!
