Forklift Can't Stop and Has No Brakes
If your forklift can't stop and has no brakes, stop driving it and get it repaired. Learn more about what causes excessive brake wear and how to prevent it.
If your forklift can't stop and has no brakes, take your foot off the accelerator and steer clear of any obstacles until you come to a full stop. Click here to learn more.
If you want to discover more about about forklift brakes, click on the links to the following informative sections:
Having trouble with your forklift brakes? Contact us and we will fix them for you.
Forklift can't stop and has no brakes? Stop using it and get it repaired
Forklift Can't Stop and Has No Brakes - What to Do
If your forklift can't stop and has no brakes, you should:
Take your foot off the accelerator
Steer it clear of any obstacles until you come to a complete stop
Stop using your forklift until you can get it looked at and repaired
Operating your forklift without properly functioning brakes is dangerous and could lead to serious injuries for yourself, pedestrians around you, and cause costly damage to your product and facilities.
If your forklift can’t stop and has no brakes, stop using it and get it fixed
1. Forklift Can’t Stop and Has No Brakes: How to Prevent This
Do Forklift Brake Pre-Shift Inspections
Performing a pre-shift inspection can help you detect any issues with your forklift before they become a more serious problem.
Inspecting to make sure that your brakes are functioning properly should be a part of your pre-shift inspection as required by the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) .
During this pre-shift inspection, you need to check the following:
Foot Brake: to make sure that the pedal holds and the unit stops smoothly
Parking Brake: to make sure that it holds against a a slight acceleration
Deadman Seat Brake: to make sure that it holds when the operator gets up from the seat
This inspection can help prevent a dangerous situation, such as when your forklift can’t stop and has no brakes.
Forklift can’t stop and has no brakes: Prevent this by inspecting your brakes before you drive
2. Forklift Brakes vs Car Brakes: How Are They Different?
Feel more aggressive
Forklift brakes often feel more aggressive than car brakes because they are designed to stop a forklift that is carrying a heavy load.
four Brakes vs two Brakes:
Another main difference between car brakes and forklift brakes is that cars have brakes on all four wheels, whereas most forklifts only have brakes on two of their wheels.
Cars have 4 brakes while forklifts usually have 2
Forklifts Have Longer Stopping Distances:
Even though forklifts generally travel at slower speeds than vehicles on the road, stopping a forklift to avoid a collision can be harder than stopping your car. This is because stopping distances are much longer for forklifts than other vehicles.
For example, if your forklift is traveling at 7 mph, it will take you about 16 feet to make a complete stop. If you are traveling at 9 mph, your stopping distance increases to 21 feet. If your forklift is carrying a heavy payload, it will take even longer to come to a complete stop.
The average car, on the other hand, can come to a stop in 20 feet when traveling much faster at 20 mph.
Forklifts have greater stopping distances, especially when they are carrying a heavy load
Loaded forklifts can become unstable when braking:
In addition, forklifts that are carrying a load become unstable when you try to stop them quickly. A sudden stop can cause them to:
Slide
Become unbalanced
Lose their load
Turn over
Stopping with a heavy load can make your forklift unstable
3. Forklift Brake System: A Basic Overview
What type of brakes do most forklifts have?
The most common type is a drum and shoe brake. This is the type of brake that most cars have on their rear wheels.
There are two main parts to this type of braking system: the brake drum and the brake shoes.
How drum and shoe brakes work
When you press your brake pedal on your forklift, the brake shoes are pushed against the brake drum. The friction of the shoes on the drum causes your forklift to slow down.
How drum and shoe brakes are made
Your brake shoes are made of two pieces of steel. The part of your brake shoe that is forced against the brake drum is called the brake lining.
This lining is heat and wear resistant. However, over time, the friction of the lining against the drum will cause your lining to wear down.
Image Source: Pearson Scott Foresman [Public domain]
Over time, the friction of the lining of your brakes against the drum will cause your lining to wear down.
Importance of regular brake maintenance
Your forklift brake shoes will need maintenance and eventually will need to be replaced.
Regular, proper maintenance on your brakes will keep them running longer and will help you avoid more costly repairs due to excessive wear and tear on your forklift brake drums.
The following video will give you a more detailed look at the different parts of a drum brake system and how each part works.
Forklift drum brakes need regular maintenance
Other types of forklift brakes
Disc Brakes: This type of brake is used on the front wheels of most cars. Some forklifts use this type of braking system as well.
Wet Brakes: Wet brakes use hydraulic pressure to squeeze the friction disc packs and slow down your forklift. This type of brakes is a great feature as it rarely needs to be replaced.
Air Brakes: Air brakes are more commonly found on larger heavy-duty forklifts. They use compressed air to apply force on the forklift brake pads or shoes to stop it.
Hydrostatic Drive Brakes: Some forklifts and construction equipment will use hydrostatic drive brakes.
Brakes forklift: Discover how air brakes work
4. Common Causes of Forklift Brake Failure and Excessive Wear and Tear
If you find that your forklift brakes are constantly needed repair or maintenance, it could be due to some common errors including:
Keeping your parking brake on while operating your forklift
Trying to brake too hard without giving your forklift time to decelerate
Driving with your foot constantly on the brake pedal, thus partially engaging your brakes at all times
Driving too fast and having to apply more pressure to the brakes to stop each time
Adding brake fluid to a system that is designed for hydraulic oil
Continuing to operate your forklift even when the brake shoes need replacing or repair
You can cut down on the need for expensive repairs and help prevent costly accidents by making sure that your forklift operators are properly trained on best driving practices and keeping your forklifts well maintained.
Keep your brakes well maintained to avoid the problem of your forklift can’t stop and has no brakes
If Your Forklift Can't Stop and Has No Brakes, Contact ForkliftHub
Wer’re Available 24/7/365
ForkliftHub’s service department is available to you when you need it 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We understand that a forklift that is broken down costs you money, so we are here to make sure that you are up and running again as soon as possible.
We Have highly trained technicians
Our highly trained technicians are able to repair all popular makes or industrial forklift trucks and we can properly perform any maintenance services and inspections you require.
We can help you set up a Maintenance schedule
We can even help you set up and design a maintenance schedule that suits your particular company's operating requirements and budget.
We'll even keep track of all your scheduled maintenance and let you know when it's time for each service. Contact ForkliftHub to set up your maintenance or service appointment.
Contact ForkliftHub for the Best New and Pre-Owned Warranties in the Industry
Whether you are in the market for a new or used forklift, talk to the professionals at Wayco. Wayco offers the best warranties in the business for both new and used forklifts so you can purchase with confidence!
