7 Forklift Maintenance Tips You Can’t Ignore

When buying a new or used forklift, the goal is always to extend the life of the machine without costly repairs. To do this, frequent inspections are necessary to make sure everything is working properly. If you don't, you could end up with a neglected machine that often malfunctions resulting in expensive repair costs.

While there are many ways to maintain your forklift, here are the top 7 tips we recommend for all forklift owners.

1. Inspect your vehicle daily

While this may seem like an obvious suggestion, we cannot stress enough how important it is to have your forklift inspected daily. Did you know that a daily inspection before use is actually an OSHA requirement? If you inspect your forklift before use each day, you can avoid operational disruptions by resolving any problems before they occur.

We recommend using a standard checklist when inspecting your forklift. OSHA provides everything you need to pay attention, including:

• tire pressure
• Pipe
• fluid level
• brake
• forks and overhead guards
• Seat belt

2. Keep Your Forklift Clean

In addition to looking shiny and new, cleaning your forklift on a weekly basis ensures that no combustible material has built up on the machine. For example, if your radiators are blocked due to lint, it will affect both the safety and operation of the vehicle.

When cleaning your forklift, make sure that:

• change any filter
• Wash and wipe off any dirt, dust and debris
• blow out radiators

3. Follow the manufacturer's maintenance schedule

Each forklift manufacturer offers a specific program for inspecting various elements of the vehicle. This is to ensure that every part of your machine runs smoothly. If you don't stick to the manufacturer's schedule, more operational problems and incidents are at risk.

Your builder's schedule will outline when you should have:

• oil change
• fluid inspection
• filter change
• spark plug replacement
• brake servicing
• tire inspection

4. Put your forklift out of commission if you see a problem

Taking your forklift out of service when a problem occurs is the key to ensuring employee safety and that your machine runs smoothly. If during the inspection you notice that something is not working properly, for example, it would be a serious mistake to continue operating procedures before the problem has been dealt with.

Imagine if you noticed that something was not right with the brakes. However, the problem wasn't overly dangerous, so you decided to put your forklift into service. What if the brakes go off suddenly? Your forklift driver could be seriously injured, and your warehouse could be damaged if the forklift crashed.

Furthermore, problems with your machine will be far greater if you have just taken your forklift out of commission and have it serviced immediately.

OSHA not only requires you to remove the machine from service if you see a problem, but it's also best for the safety of your employees and the operation of your machine.

Remember, it is far more cost-effective to have your brakes checked out when they stop working altogether than to replace them.

5. Don't forget to check the tires

While you should check your forklift tires as part of your daily inspection, it is best to pay special attention to them as many problems can arise. In fact, OSHA regulations stipulate that a forklift needs to be taken out of service if the tire doesn't have even a tiny bit of rubber.

During your daily tire inspection, be sure to keep these things in mind:

• worn or worn tires
• small leak
• bad tire
• tires are losing their tread
• less air in the tire

Be sure to replace the tires immediately if you notice any problems. Not only will this help you save on expensive repairs if there is a major problem, but it will ensure that forklift drivers are safe – and the machine is running smoothly.

6. Work only with qualified technicians

Here's the thing: Like any field, there are different levels of experience and qualifications. When you're dealing with some expensive machinery on which your business heavily depends, it's best to work with someone you trust.

Make sure the repair technician is experienced in working with forklifts and is able to identify and resolve issues before they turn into bigger problems. Don't be afraid to ask the maintenance company about their experience, credentials and success record.

For most problems, your technician will need to conduct a detailed on-site assessment of the problem. They will inspect your machine carefully to see if the root cause of the problem is in order for repair.

Where your forklift is concerned, you don't want a band-aid solution. Instead, confirm that your technician can provide a long-term repair that will improve the safety and operation of your machine.

7. Sign Up for a Maintenance Plan

One of the most effective ways you can extend the life of your forklift -- while reducing your repair costs -- is to purchase a maintenance plan. A comprehensive plan includes any repairs to be completed by a technician on your site, as well as any major repairs that are completed offsite. That way, you can rest easy knowing that whatever the problem may be, your machine will be taken care of.

At PMHSI, we employ highly qualified technicians who are experienced with forklifts from many different manufacturers. Our technicians receive factory training so that they have an in-depth knowledge of how your machine works. Plus, we provide them with the latest diagnostic tools to identify the root cause of any vehicle related problems.

Want to learn more about how you can extend the life of your forklift without incurring expensive repair costs? Give us a call at +91 - 9818045433 and we'll let you know how our maintenance plan can help you get things done.

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