When should you service your forklift?

The good ol’ question – when and where should I service my forklift in Dallas or Fort Worth, Texas? The where is here at Ace Equipment! And the when, well, to begin with, these are the reasons to have your forklift serviced right away:

1. Any gauge is not functioning properly,
2. Any broken welds,
3. Any missing bolts,
4. Damage to the overhead guard,
5. Or if any tire is missing or damaged.

Servicing your forklift falls under five categories of maintenance, reactive, preventative, predictive, proactive, and lubrication. Now, aside from these immediate issues, per the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), certain forklift items should be serviced every 250 hours of use:

1. The fuel filter,
2. Change the oil and filter,
3. The air filter,
4. Lubricate the frame and make sure to apply lube to all points,
5. The drive train,
6. The engine compartment,
7. The electrical system,
8. The brakes,
9. The hydraulics,
10. The steering system,
11. The safety and cosmetic appearance,
12. Adjust engine idle speed,
13. Adjust ignition timing on engine powered trucks, and
14. Inspect the forklift.

The forklift items that should be serviced every 500 hours of use:

1. The Antifreeze,
2. The spark plugs,
3. Make sure you replace the points, the condenser, and the set timing,
4. Inspect the pedal free play,
5. Inspect the hand brake,
6. Inspect the lift chain tension,
7. Inspect the mast operation,
8. Inspect any carriage rollers,
9. Check the lift and tilt cylinder operation,
10. Clean the radiator exterior and replace the fuel filter,
11. Drain the water separator in diesel trucks, and
12. Adjust the clutch release dearing.

The forklift items that should be serviced every 1000 hours of use:

1. The hydraulic oil and filter,
2. Inspect the brake booster operation,
3. Torque the engine head bolts and manifold nuts,
4. The oil and the filter in the transmission and converter,
5. Make sure to lube everything in the drive hubs, and
6. Check and replace the brake fluids.

If you have an electric forklift, the maintenance intervals vary because there are less moving parts. However, for like new forklifts, the average cycle is 200-250 hours depending on the use as well as work conditions. Safety checks should be done every 3-6 months, depending on the same criteria. Our greatest advice to you is that regular services will save you both time and money. These routine services will reduce breakdowns and damage, decreasing safety issues.
Aside from knowing when each service is due, as a forklift operator you should perform daily maintenance as well. Be sure to visually inspect for any obvious leaks, damages, and tire conditions. Before you operate the forklift, check the safety lights, service, parking brakes, horn, and steering. Then check the mast operation by raising and lowering the forks, both with and without a load. Lastly, check the levels of engine oil, fuel, radiator water and hydraulic fluid. Once all is in order, begin operations!

For any questions about your forklift, contact us at Ace Equipment in Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas today!