Most of the time, businesses would spend a lot of money to purchase their forklifts. It is vital, therefore to take good care of your machinery to protect your investment into the long run. It is really a good idea to know the procedures which are carried out in the care and maintenance of this piece of machinery.
One of the best ways to tell how good the engine is performing is by starting the forklift up and listening carefully to see how it works. For example, if there are any misses or knocks, the equipment is defective and this must raise several concerns. What's more listen closely for any squealing noise that come from the belts because these sounds would provide you with a lot of information.
When performing maintenance, some of the main parts you will have to pay attention to include the horn, safety warning devices, the overhead guard, the lights and the gauges. Any faulty components or burnt out light bulbs have to be replaced as soon as they are noticed. It is also imperative to check the wiring.
The battery compartment terminals should be cleaned after the above components have been checked carefully. If the terminals are not clean, be sure to clean them well. Each cell of the battery has to be checked so as to ensure the fill level is topped up to the regulated amount.
An oil change is the next step to drain all the oil out of the equipment and then change the filters. The hydraulic filter, the transmission filter and the fuel filters should be frequently replaced. Before fitting them, be sure to write the date on the new filters by using a permanent marker to be able to keep track.
After the oil change is carried out and the filters have been replaced, a visual inspection of the drive axle has to be done. If there is a grease fitting on the axle make sure to apply some grease. Check the belts on the engine for any cracks or frays. If you find any, fix the issue accordingly. After that, check every other part of the equipment like the wheels. If any kind of fault or issue is detected, be certain to deal with it immediately in order to make sure the machinery is working at its safest and optimum levels.