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When a forklift starts to heat up, it’s more than an inconvenience: the harsh reality is that forklift overheating can speed up wear and tear and cause serious damage to your equipment. Without the right approach, the high temperatures during a Texas summer can shut down your forklift mid-shift, resulting in production delays and expensive repair bills.
The good news is that you can prevent these overheating issues by choosing the right equipment and knowing what to watch for. Here are a few proven tips from our experienced team at ACE Equipment.
How Summer Affects Your Forklift’s Cooling Systems
Even though your forklift has built-in cooling features, the intense weather during a Texas summer can really take a toll. In the Dallas/Fort Worth area, we typically see more than 120 days a year with temperatures that are over 100°F. The heat alone could cut your forklift’s cooling efficiency by as much as 25%.
Keep in mind that the type of forklift you are using will impact how well it manages in the heat. For example, diesel engines tend to run hotter than LPG, so you will notice the heat in diesel machines more quickly.
Also, the forklift cooling system has less margin of error on the hottest days. So, all operators need to be trained on how to watch for potential issues and stay ahead of maintenance to prevent heat damage to the machine.
What You Need to Know About the Real Forklift Overheating Causes
Not only does the hot weather impact the performance of your forklift, but there are other root causes that can also contribute to forklift overheating:
- Dirty Radiator: When there is dust and pollen that collects in the radiator, it can impact the performance of the forklift. In fact, a dirty radiator is one of the most common forklift overheating causes that we see in the field.
- Coolant Levels and Quality: Next, we will look at whether the coolant is low or contaminated. If evaporation has occurred or someone topped off the coolant with the wrong type, then it could have a negative impact on your forklift engine temperature.
- Thermostat Problems: Make sure that the thermostat isn’t stuck open or closed, because it could throw off the whole cooling regulation system.
- Other Common Issues: A few other things to check that might be causing forklift overheating include a slipping fan clutch or a restricted hose. These issues affect airflow or circulation in the engine, which can start to cause issues early on.
Watch for These Early Warning Signs of Forklift Overheating
Every operator and team member needs to be well-trained to monitor the forklift engine temperature and watch for other warning signs of overheating. Three things to watch for include:
- Forklift Engine Temperature: Watch the gauge and make sure that the engine temperature is within a normal range, usually between 180 and 210°F. If you see that the gauge is creeping up under the load, then it’s a warning sign that needs to be checked out.
- Unusual Noises: If you have a forklift overheating problem, then you might notice unusual noises such as hissing steam, grinding noises from the fan, or knocking when the forklift is carrying a load.
- Visible Leaks: Check for visible coolant leaks, as well as discolored coolant fluid or noticeable dirt buildup on the face of the radiator. These are all urgent issues that need to be addressed immediately.
How to Prevent Forklift Overheating
There’s no question that prevention is the best strategy to prevent overheating damage. Every fleet needs to have a daily routine that requires a pre-operating inspection, including a check of the coolant levels and radiator debris. These issues are easy to fix and can help to catch most problems before they cause breakdowns.
The radiator should be cleaned weekly, especially during the hottest months of the year. This is one of the most important maintenance steps to help you avoid forklift overheating issues. We also recommend that you do a pre-summer flush and thermostat check to ensure that your equipment is ready for the upcoming heat during the summer.
Real Cost of Skipping Forklift Maintenance
In order to maintain the quality of your forklift fleet, it’s important to understand that these maintenance tasks are not optional. Even though preventive maintenance can cost a few thousand dollars a year, it’s worth the expense in the long run because you are protecting your equipment.
Do the math, and you will see that preventive maintenance is much cheaper than emergency repairs, which can cost upwards of $10,000 for severe overheating damage. If your preventive maintenance routine prevents even just one breakdown, then it’s a positive ROI.
What To Do When the Forklift Overheats
Even if you are consistent with forklift maintenance, it’s important to know what to do if the forklift overheats. Always lower the load and shut down the machine immediately. You need to give the engine time to cool down before doing anything else.
Don’t touch the radiator cap if the engine is still hot. Because of the burn risk, you need to wait at least 30 minutes before opening a hot cooling system.
Finally, it’s recommended that you get a forklift inspection before the machine goes back to work. Even if it cools down and seems to be running fine, the inspection is still important to determine the underlying cause of the forklift overheating.
FAQs
What temperature should my forklift coolant be?
Most forklifts have a normal operating range between 180 and 210°F. If you see temperatures above this range, then it’s time for maintenance and an inspection.
How much does it cost to fix an overheating forklift?
Repairs can run anywhere from $8,000 to $10,000 or more, especially when you consider the cost of downtime.
Can overheating cause permanent damage?
Yes, if the engine experiences repeated overheating, then it causes wear and tear that can cause serious damage to the forklift. It’s expensive to repair this type of damage, which is why we recommend that you maintain consistency with regular inspections and maintenance.
Talk to the Forklift Experts to Maintain Your Fleet
At ACE Equipment, we are here to help with everything from forklift maintenance to rentals, sales, and more. If you have questions about your fleet, contact us today for a discussion about your needs.
