The engine oil filter in a forklift removes contaminants from the engine, extending its life. Changing it regularly prevents engine damage.
It’s crucial to conduct a thorough pre-shift inspection on your lift trucks. It takes only minutes and can save money and potential disaster. Here’s what to look for.
Keep Your Engine Clean
When it comes to forklift propane fuel systems, there are a lot of things that can go wrong. From leaky hoses to overheating, some problems are simple enough for employees to fix without stopping workflow. Others require the skill and expertise of a certified forklift technician.
Fuel filters are one of the most critical parts of a forklift’s propane fuel system. They help to filter contaminants from the liquid fuel before it is pumped through the engine to lubricate and cool it. Over time, however, those contaminants can build up and clog the filter, inhibiting fuel flow.
Comparably, hydraulic systems employ clark forklift filters suction to remove pollutants from the fluid. Clogged filters make the fluid move less quickly, affecting performance and leading to problems.
Prevent Damage
Forklifts are valuable to any warehouse, and you want them to work as efficiently as possible. Unexpected breakdowns are costly and cause production delays that increase labor costs. A simple maintenance routine can prevent these unplanned expenses and keep your forklifts running longer.
Air filters are the first line of defense for keeping your forklift engine clean. The filter has blocked and limits the passage of oxygen if you detect black smoke from the exhaust pipe or if your lift truck is reluctant to respond when you accelerate.
Luckily, installing a new forklift air filter is an easy, affordable process that any employee can do. Open the forklift hood, locate the air filter compartment (which may vary by forklift model), and remove the filter tap. Then, replace the old filter with a new one and tap the housing back into place.
Save Money
Forklifts are not cheap to repair, so it makes sense to keep up with regular maintenance to catch things before they get out of hand. It will save you much money in the long run, especially if you are leasing your forklift.
For instance, fix your forklift’s brake issues quickly. Bad brakes can lead to tragic accidents and six-figure fines from OSHA. Also, a broken mast chain or mast that will not rise will lead to lost productivity and additional repair costs.
Another way to save on maintenance is to avoid revving your forklift. Maintaining a steady speed can save gas and reduce wear and tear on your engine.
Keep Your Machine Safe
When a forklift is not regularly maintained, minor issues can become major ones requiring extensive repairs or downtime. Those problems can also jeopardize the safety of the operator and nearby workers or property.
You can extend the life of your lift trucks and keep them in good condition for years to come by performing daily inspections (as required by OSHA), adhering to the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance schedule, cleaning the forklift once a week, handling problems as soon as they come up, and enrolling in a thorough forklift maintenance plan. A well-kept forklift also has a better resale value when selling.
You must adhere to all safety precautions when maintaining your forklifts, such as wearing personal protection equipment and locking out the forklift before starting work. In addition, always have replacement parts for critical forklift components like the forks, masts, and chains on hand. These items do a lot of heavy lifting and are not inexpensive to replace when damaged or worn.