You hear grinding gears, you smell strange exhaust –
something’s not quite right with your forklift. Even with regular preventative
maintenance, parts of your lift truck can wear down, regardless of their
workload or “pedal hours.” That’s why it’s important to be aware of the warning
signs that can signal that your forklift needs a part replaced.
So get on a dedicated forklift service schedule and get to know the
most common replacement part needs and their warning signs.
Forklift Brakes & Tires
There’s a lot of stress put on your forklift where the rubber
meets the road. That can result in extreme wear in your tires, brake shoes, and
the bearings around your wheels. Worst of all, a sudden problem occurring with
your forklift tires or brakes can cause an accident resulting in serious damage
and injury. Thankfully, the signs of tire and brake wear are fairly easy to
spot. Here’s what to be on the lookout for:
- Unusual sounds – Squeaking tires can be a sign of a bad
wheel bearing or a tire beginning to separate from the rim. Grinding upon
braking is typically a sign of a worn brake shoe. - Visual signs of wear – Cracking or balding tires are
signs that they should be replaced as soon as possible.
Forklift Mast Parts
Your forklift mast is made up of several individual pieces,
some requiring more care than others. From the mast rollers to the lift chain
to the tips of the fork, each part needs to work in tandem to keep your lift
truck at peak performance. One or more of these parts wearing down or becoming
uneven across the mast can result in sudden drops or accidents, or further
damage to your entire forklift. Be aware of these common warning signs from
your mast:
- Metal-on-metal contact – If you hear grinding sounds
when raising or lowering the lift, or can see marks from metal scraping against
metal, you’ll need to replace or readjust your rollers and bearings. - Uneven forks – Fork tips that aren’t parallel can be a
sign of multiple problems such as uneven lift assemblies or simply bent tines
that need replaced. - Lift operation moving slowly or not going as high as it
should.
Forklift Air & Oil Filters
If you’re familiar with automobiles, the dangers and signs of
old, worn-out filters on a forklift will be all too familiar to you. If not replaced,
bad oil and air filters can damper the performance of your engine, decrease
fuel economy, and cause your forklift to work harder overall. In addition to
regularly replacing these filters, be on the lookout for:
- Smells – If you regularly get a heavy whiff of fuel
from your engine, especially when starting or stopping it, it may be
filter-related. - Decreased fuel performance – If you notice diminishing
returns from the same amount of fuel, the likely culprit is an old and worn
filter. - Exhaust issues – Thick, dark exhaust expelled by your
lift usually points to a bad air filter.
How To Replace Forklift Parts
For part replacements any more complex than a simple air filter swap, a
professional forklift technician is your best bet to fix any issue you have. Call
Tynan Equipment Co. for all your Indiana forklift needs at
(317) 247-8474 if you begin to see any of these warning signs.
