If you own a forklift, there are some items that you should make sure you purchase for the maintenance and upkeep of your forklift. Some of these items include forklift parts, forklift batteries, and forklift fluids. These are all important for the health and longevity of your forklift.
Preventative maintenance
Understanding the importance of purchasing New Hyster forklift products for the maintenance and upkeep of your forklift is essential for keeping your equipment safe and efficient. Regular maintenance can prevent accidents and injuries, as well as reduce costs. An adequately maintained forklift can last for years to come. Forklift preventative maintenance is a smart way to ensure your forklift stays in top working condition. This can protect your employees, decrease downtime, and even lower the cost of repairs. You can keep your forklift running for many years with the correct maintenance and inspections. The best way to avoid unexpected failures is to follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule. Depending on your forklift, you may need to change your tire pressure or oil every few months, check the wheel bearings, and perform drive-train servicing. Checking for a leaky hydraulic pump seal is usually a quick fix, but replacing the whole engine can be much more expensive. If you notice your forklift breaking down regularly, it might be time to take it in for repairs.
Pre-operation inspections
A well-maintained forklift is a crucial component of any material handling operation. It can help you avoid costly repair costs and extend the life of your equipment. In addition, a good maintenance plan will also help keep your workers safe. Forklifts can break down or have issues very quickly, and that’s why they need to be checked regularly. You want to find problems early, so you can fix them and get the forklift back in operation quickly. To be sure your forklift is in top shape, you can use a maintenance checklist. Some items to check to include the battery, hydraulic fluid, lights, steering mechanisms, and brakes. The forklift should be inspected before every shift and before each use.
Checking fluid levels
If you own a forklift, you must check its fluid levels regularly. This will help ensure that it remains in good condition. With proper maintenance, your forklift can perform at its best. Most forklift manufacturers recommend that you check your forklift’s hydraulic and transmission fluid every 1000 hours. You can also check the battery level, which is a great way to prevent leaks. Hydraulic fluid is essential in heat transfer, steering, and lubrication. Its viscosity should match the range of temperatures the forklift is running in. Similarly, checking the forklift’s battery fluid is also essential. Batteries are prone to evaporation, especially in hot climates. When a forklift’s fluids are at low levels, it could lead to a shortened battery life.
Overcharging a battery
Overcharging a battery on a forklift is not only dangerous, but it can also reduce the battery’s life. Luckily, you can take steps to avoid soaking your forklift batteries. If you follow the proper procedures, you can increase the useful lifespan of your forklift and get the best performance. The 8-8-8 rule is a good place to start. It recommends that you charge your forklift for eight hours and then let it sit for eight hours. However, this doesn’t mean you should charge your forklift while it’s still running. This is a common mistake among warehouse workers, who demand their forklifts multiple times daily. When it comes to forklift batteries, the most effective charging procedure is to make sure your charger is compatible with your forklift’s battery. Many battery chargers have an equalization charge feature. Some even include a temperature compensation function.