5 Forklift Maintenance Tips to Help You Maintain Safety

There is no surprise that forklift handling is no cakewalk. The grim statistics prove that it is indeed dangerous machinery and requires forklift precautionary measures. Rightly so, this is a piece of machinery that weighs almost 9000 pounds and 3-4 times more than most cars.

Keeping the functionality levels and operations run seamlessly, forklift maintenances and services are imperative. A well-tuned forklift would offer reliability and safety. This is why a brand-new forklift is significantly less susceptible to malfunctions and if there were any failure or damage, the seller and manufacturer are liable. Still, to keep the forklifts fit, maintenance should be, ideally, be planned from the beginning.

Inspect the Forklift regularly

Inspection should always be a priority and although inspecting it daily is not only an OSHA requirement but also a great way to detect potential problems. These tests ensure safety, minimal repair costs, and time efficiency. Using the standardized checklist provided by OSHA, all the addressed concerns must be evaluated every day so that the little mechanical setbacks do not interfere with the operation of forklifts.

· Check the brake performance.

· Assess the hoses.

· Make sure the fluid levels are sufficient.

· Check the hoses, tire pressure, and conditions.

· Test the seat belt function, overhead guards, and forks.

Test the tires frequently

Tire being the most critical in forklift operation, it should be a routine as the risks of wear and tear is common especially if when it moves on the same paths, every day in the warehouse. This way one tire can get damaged faster than the other. It can lose its tread or even deflate. Regular servicing and everyday inspection of tires are required in forklift maintenance. Include daily air pressure checks and visual examination to maintain the optimum condition and sufficient tread.

1. Follow the maintenance schedule

Apart from the regular inspection, one must follow the maintenance schedule provided by the manufacturer as not all forklifts require the same schedule. Some require in-depth inspection every week and few may require it every three months or after a particular amount of usage. The maintenance schedule includes checking the condition of the tire, spark plug replacements, maintaining fluid changes and filter changes, drive-train, and brake servicing which when done in time prevents the bigger problems that cost you safety, energy, money, and time.

2. Work on fixing than repairing

Deal with the problem as soon as an issue is spotted during the daily checks. Unexpected issues may arise occasionally and must be taken care of immediately. Ignoring or delaying them would only lead to bigger problems in the future. For instance, during a morning inspection, a brake seems to be slightly loose than the day before, do not neglect it, act on it at the same moment or it could increase the risk of dangerous accidents. Seamless operations are guaranteed when the problems are addressed as soon as they are spotted, sometimes there are strange noises that go unnoticed and later unaddressed. Instead, it would be best to call a licensed technician as soon as possible.

3. Do not forget to clean

A clean forklift does not limit to increasing its aesthetic appeal, it is beyond that. Cleaning the forklifts every week would wipe off the layer of dirty combustible elements on the forklift surface. Use a pressure washer to get rid of stubborn debris. It is also safer than using use since it could hamper with batter acid and machinery.

Maintaining safety in the warehouse derives from successful forklift use that is only possible from forklift maintenance. Following the above-mentioned tips can help you lengthen the life of forklifts, increase safety, and reduce/prevent accidents.