Forklift Service Essentials
Regular and proper forklift service is essential to keeping your forklift running safely. The government requires an annual inspection of your lifting devices - learn how you can keep compliant with their regulations.
Today we are going to share with you all of the forklift service essentials to keep your lift trucks operating safely and efficiently.
We have over 40 years in the material handling industry and we would love to share our expertise and experience with you.
We'll take a look at the recommendations and guidelines set out for forklift service by the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. So, let’s get started.
Learn what the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety recommends for forklift service
Do's and Don'ts of Forklift Service
According to the Ministry of Labour, forklift owners need to keep their lifting equipment in "good condition to prevent mechanical or operational failures."
Also according to the Ministry of Labour, you need to "review preventative maintenance and inspection reports and follow the manufacturers' instructions for recommended maintenance schedules and practices."
Here are some of the most essential forklift service recommendations as outlined by the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS).
Forklift Service Do's
1. Follow your manufacturer's maintenance and servicing schedule. Your manufacturer will outline when each type of service should be done.
It is important to have it done when recommended to avoid costly repairs and to keep your forklift running smoothly.
2. When working on lead-acid batteries or battery-charging equipment, always wear the proper personal protective equipment including:
Safety goggles
Face shields
Aprons, gloves, and rubber boots
If you are changing an LPG fuel tank, then you should always wear leather gloves. The following video shows you how to properly change a gas tank.
Wear protective gloves when changing the LPG tank on your forklift
3. Always attach a chain hoist to the counterweight before you try to remove it.
4. Always cover the top of your battery with insulating material and always handle your battery with care.
5. Securely support your forklift hood upright or remove it completely before you begin working on it.
6. Always keep your work area clean and tidy, cleaning up any liquids such as hydraulic fluids or oil that may have been spilled. Tidy up your parts, cans, tools and other obstacles as well.
Keep your working area well ventilated
7. Make sure that your area is well ventilated before you run LPG, gas, or diesel forklifts.
8. Use a hoist or leverage tools when lifting or moving heavy parts and equipment.
9. Ensure your forklift truck or forks are securely supported by approved blocks before you begin to do any forklift service beneath it.
Forklift Service Don't s
1. Don't begin removing the wheels of your forklift until you have securely placed your forklift on blocks so that it doesn’t move when you are working on it.
2. Don't let hoisting chains, tools, or other metal objects come in contact with your battery terminals.
3. Don't let any unqualified person service or maintain your forklift equipment. This includes working on attachments that you are unfamiliar with.
Only a trained professional should work on your forklift
4. Don't start up your forklift or begin driving it until you have found out why it is in for servicing. Don't start it when it is on a lift hoist or wheel stands.
5. Don't start any repairs before first checking the operator's daily checklist. At the beginning of each shift, your operator must do a pre start checklist. Refer to this list for any issues that were detected.
6. Don't start up your engine until you have checked that you have removed all of your tools and extra parts.
7. Don't light a match, smoke, or weld if you are in or near a battery charging area or refuelling spot.
Learn what parts of your forklift need to be inspected before each shift
Forklift Service: Things to Inspect
The following are some additional tips and things to inspect as recommended by the CCOHS:
1. Take a close look at the bolts holding the counterweight to the body of your forklift. If any bolts look worn out or if any are missing, you need to replace them.
2. During your annual inspection of if you have noticed any cracks appearing before this inspection, you should do magnetic particle testing.
This type of testing is non-destructive and will help you discover any defects of cracks at or near the surface of the metal.
See how magnetic particle testing is carried out
3. Use magnetic particle testing to inspect other parts of your forklift such as your hoses, couplings, fittings and connections to the cylinders in the main mast assembly, as well as your tilt control system.
4. Take a close look at your forks to make sure that none of the sections are twisted, bent, distorted or damaged. If you see any defects, you should test them out.
5. Test to see that your forklift is able to lift and handle the maximum recommended capacity limit.
You need to carefully inspect the various parts of your forklift - Image Source: Created by Tynt22 using Adobe Photoshop. [CC BY-SA]
Types of Forklift Service Report Inspections
The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety recommends three different types of forklift service report inspections: a planned maintenance inspection, an annual planned maintenance inspection, and a lifting capacity inspection.
All of these inspections need to be done by a "trained, qualified maintenance technician."
Planned Maintenance Inspection:
Your forklift manufacturer will probably have a recommended interval for carrying out your planned maintenance inspection. If they do not, then this inspection needs to take place about every 200 hours.
Annual Planned Maintenance:
Once a year or every 2000 hours (whichever one comes first), you should perform an annual planned maintenance inspection.
Wayco can perform your annual forklift service inspections
Listing Capacity Inspection:
A lifting capacity inspection needs to be carried out as often as your forklift manufacturer recommends it - at least once a year.
This will determine whether or not your forklift is capable of lifting and carrying the maximum load that is specified on its nameplate.
In addition to annually, this type of inspection also needs to be done each time the forklift is purchase by a new owner and before it is being used for the first time.
The Annual lifting inspection needs to be carried out by a competent person.
The Occupational Health and Safety Act defines a competent person as someone who is trained, knowledgeable, experienced and qualified to thoroughly examine your lifting equipment, and has the appropriate and theoretical knowledge of the equipment.
Wayco Can Perform Your Annual Forklift Service Inspections for You
At Wayco we have trained personnel who meet the OHSA requirements to be able to carry out your annual forklift truck safety inspection.
Upon completion of our full vehicle inspection, we will let you know the exact condition of your equipment and once it is found to be in proper working order, we will certify your equipment for you.
You need to have this type of up-to-date inspection documentation available to show government inspectors when they come to your facility. Contact Wayco today to set up your annual inspection.
Need a New Forklift? Wayco Has the Best Forklift Warranties in the Business
If 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!
“Our company shopped around for the most competitively priced lift equipment repairs and rental services in the KW region and found Waco Multi Lift Inc. Their repair rates were lower than the other companies out there and the service is prompt and professional for our in house lift trucks. ..” […Read more]
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