Tips on maintaining your forklift

Given forklifts are valuable assets and a vital part of daily operations for many businesses; it is certainly in their best interests to maintain them correctly.

Forklifts often operate in harsh conditions, so regular maintenance is essential to keep repair costs down and reduce downtime caused by major breakdowns.

Manufacturer manuals often outline servicing tips and frequency, so familiarise yourself with the guidelines and heed the manufacturer's advice.

If you suspect that a forklift is unsafe or in need of repairs, ensure it is not in use until any problems have been fixed by a trained mechanic.

What to look out for

Just about every part of your forklift needs to be inspected, cleaned, and serviced at some point, from the tyres to the tynes and everything in between.

Here are some items to check and look out for:

• Cushion tyres – Once 30 to 50 per cent of the rubber has worn, the tyres need to be replaced.

• Pneumatic tyres – Change tyres once the tread has worn down significantly, as that will compromise traction and stability.

• Tynes – Tynes need to be inspected for cracks and alignment from time to time, or if any kind of collision occurs.

• Mechanical components – Any number of mechanical faults can occur with a forklift so any irregularities in operation should be investigated immediately.

How frequently should you maintain

The amount and type of maintenance required for your forklifts will depend on factors such as their age, condition, monthly operating hours, and susceptibility to wear.

Some types of forklift maintenance should be carried out more frequently than others. Most maintenance tasks can be divided into daily, monthly, quarterly, and semi-annual tasks.

As a general rule, forklift operators should perform a quick visual inspection of their forklifts at the start of every shift to check for leaks, damaged tyres, fluid levels, and signs of any potential problems.

Monthly maintenance should be done roughly every 200 hours of operation. These maintenance tasks include lubricating the chassis and mast components, changing the engine oil, and inspecting the tilt and lift cylinder operation.

Quarterly and semi-annual maintenance involves a more in-depth inspection and must be done by a trained mechanic. Maintenance tasks during these times should include inspection of hydraulic and other mechanical systems, engine servicing, and replacing brake fluid and engine coolant.

A servicing roster should be created and maintained for all your forklifts so it is clear which servicing tasks need to be completed when. This may require some time and work, but it will save you a lot of time and money in the long run.