A scheduled maintenance routine for your forklifts is critical to operator safety and operational productivity. Similar to your personal vehicle, there are parts on your lift trucks that need regular attention to maintain performance and prevent mechanical failures.

Some lift truck components invariably get a lot of use, or are more vulnerable to deterioration because of heavy utilization or extended service. Rubber parts and flexible hoses should be periodically replaced on a set schedule in order to avoid problems with leakage or failure.

Swapping out components before they deteriorate or break down can save you from far costlier repair work down the road. As the adage goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Lift truck parts that need to be replaced on a regular schedule are:

• Power Steering Hoses & Rubber Parts: Every 4,000 hours or 2 years
• Reservoir Tank Hose: Every 4,000 hours or 2 years
• Wheel Cylinder Rubber Parts: Every 1,000 hours or annually
• Master Cylinder Rubber Parts: Every 1,000 hours or annually
• Hydraulic Hose: Every 2 years, or 4,000 hours
• Lift Chain: Every 3 years, or 6,000 hours
• Swing Lock Cylinder: Every 10,000 hours

There are other parts that may also need regular replacement, including:

• Forklift batteries: in general, most industrial batteries will last for a minimum of 5 years, and given adequate management they can last much longer. However, from time to time they may need replacement.
• Lift truck tires: as soon as tires erode further than the 50% line, have splitting or general disintegration problems, or develop flat spots, they should be replaced right away.
• Bearings: any worn out bearings should be promptly replaced to continue unimpeded operation of the forklift.

Forklift Service

Scheduled lift truck maintenance programs should include the following:

• Routine Lubrication: all moving parts or joints should be greased on a predetermined schedule.
• Fluid Checks: Lead acid battery water and hydraulic system fluids should be monitored regularly.
• Charging: A methodical charging routine is essential for your forklift’s battery life and efficiency.
• Gauge Inspection: for safety, all instruments and gauges should be checked on a regular basis. This is not only a best practice, it’s also mandated by OSHA under the compliance section 1910.178(q)

Lift Truck Safety

The federal government has many regulations related to forklift upkeep, and any fork truck that is considered to be noncompliant must be sidelined until any deficiencies are addressed. When is a lift truck considered unsafe? Here are some of the conditions that might be cause to keep a truck sidelined:

• Tires with gouges or missing chunks
• Weld faults on the mast or frame
• Damaged or missing bolts on any part of the vehicle
• Broken gauges or instruments
• A compromised overhead guard

Forklift Part Replacement in Tucson

If you’d like assistance in sourcing forklift parts or need forklift service, you can speak with an expert at Raymond West Inc by calling (520) 729-4222 .

Raymond West Inc
Tucson Service Area:
Tucson, Oro Valley, Marana, Sahuarita, South Tucson, Green Valley
Phone: (520) 729-4222