Essential Maintenance for Forklifts
In many industrial environments, forklifts are used on a daily basis. These heavy machines have been in use for over one hundred years for transporting and storing goods. If you oversee an operation that uses forklifts, it’s important to know the essential maintenance for forklifts. That way, you can keep your workers safe and your machines functional for many years.
Inspect Forklifts Before Use
OSHA requires forklift operators to inspect their machines at the beginning of every shift. The reason OSHA requires this is because it’s important to the worker’s safety. If there’s an issue with the brakes or there’s a loose part somewhere on the forklift, it needs to be identified and rectified early on to avoid any injuries from occurring.
Recharge Batteries at the Right Time
Manual forklifts don’t use batteries, but some automatic forklifts do, and they require special care. For instance, when operating automatic forklifts, batteries should be part of your daily inspection. Additionally, you shouldn’t charge your battery every day because that can hinder its lifespan. Don’t recharge the battery until it’s down to about 20 or 30 percent. Forklift batteries alone have their own set of basic maintenance procedures operators must practice regularly.
Regularly Clean Your Forklift
Forklifts should be cleaned weekly to combat any build-up. Combustible material, such as dust, dirt, lint, and other debris, can cause major issues if it builds up on the exterior of the forklift and inside the radiator. Also, since these hazardous materials will be present, anyone washing down these machines should take extra care and receive the right training and education to complete the task.
Stick to Manufacturer’s Recommended Schedule
Your forklift manufacturer should provide you with a recommended maintenance schedule that you need to abide by. This will lay out proper maintenance timelines for things such as oil changes and other maintenance procedures that need to occur regularly. To make sure you get the most out of your forklift, make sure you stick to this schedule.
Practicing this essential maintenance for forklifts will help keep your employees safe and your equipment running smoothly. Heavy machinery in industrial work environments has the potential to be incredibly dangerous if not operated and maintained well. However, with the right knowledge and enforcement, your forklifts should remain fully functional for many years.
