A forklift is a material handling tool in the form of a small car with wheels that can walk and move and is accompanied by 2 iron forks that can lift goods. There are many types of forklifts that are tailored to your needs.
As a carrier of goods, the forks of the forklift are given a flat plane called a pallet. The goods can then be placed on the pallet and then can be distributed by the forklift to the destination.
This forklift is often found in industries, especially in the warehousing section. By using a forklift, moving goods will be easier to do and can reach high places. In addition, it can transport heavy loads that are difficult for the human body to transport.
However, in its use, it is still necessary to pay attention to how to maintain this forklift, because a mobile device can still be damaged. For this reason, it is necessary to do good and correct maintenance so that the tool can last a long time. With good maintenance, the tool will not be damaged, thereby reducing costs if the tool is damaged.
In addition, good care or maintenance will maintain the performance of this tool. Here’s how to do maintenance on forklift tools:
- Inspection of Fuel and Other Supporting Materials
In addition to fuel, there are other materials or fluids used in forklifts, namely lubricating oil (oil), transmission fluid, coolant, and hydraulics. Make sure the fuel used is in good condition and in accordance with the tool specifications. Also, do not let the fuel run out too often and the forklift engine is still running.
For oil, we need to regularly check the oil level and the condition of the oil. If the oil level is below the standard limit, immediately fill it with oil again, or when the oil has started to change to a darker colour, immediately replace it with new oil so that the engine does not experience damage or corrosion due to old oil. For other fluids we simply check the quality of the material and its availability during the use of the tool.
- Battery Maintenance
The battery in this case is a battery or battery is a fairly important component in a forklift. Routinely check the condition of the battery or connecting cables to keep it in good condition.
Make sure the battery water is above the standard limit, if it is below the limit then immediately refill the battery water. Use gloves when filling the battery water for safety.
The battery also needs to be charged. Do not wait until the battery runs out of total power, before it is completely discharged refill the battery until it is full and let it stand for a few minutes before operating the tool again.
In addition, regularly check the cleanliness of the battery and its cables, do not let there be small dirt or wet parts, at least this inspection is done once a week.
- Lubrication of Moving Parts
In forklifts there are parts that are actively moving such as the chain joints found on the front fork support. Make sure this part is always in a slippery condition by regularly applying lubricating oil.
This is because if it is dry, it will affect the performance of the fork movement such as slow movement or this part will wear out quickly.
- Tool Panel Maintenance
The tool panel or also called the controller is a component that controls the performance of the tool. For this reason, this part needs to be considered and cared for carefully because it is a vital part of the tool.
Make sure the buttons or sidelines of the controller are not exposed to water and remain in a dry and clean condition. The controller part that is exposed to water will cause an electrical short circuit or corrosion on the controller so that it can interfere with the performance of the tool.
Inside this panel there are also forklift gauges that function to detect damage or malfunctioning parts in the forklift tool circuit. For this reason, make sure this part is in good condition so that we can more easily control and know early if there is damage so that corrective action can be taken immediately.
- Hydraulic Tool Check
Generally, forklifts use a hydraulic system to move their 2 forks. For this reason, checking on this part needs to be done. The inspection can be done by checking the lift and tilt cylinders for leaks, checking the ability of the hydraulic pump and hydraulic machine and checking the hydraulic fluid level and checking.
- Tool Component Cleanliness Check
This should be done on all forklift components that are likely to get dirt such as the body of the tool as well as air filters and fuel filters. Make sure the forklift body is clean by regularly cleaning it either with a cloth or feather duster, even though it is simple, this can affect the performance of the tool.
As for the filter, we need to check its condition, if there is a lot of dirt, it must be cleaned immediately. If the filter used is a disposable filter then it needs to be replaced with a new one. A dirty filter will make the air flow and fuel flow clogged or not smooth so that it can interfere with the performance of the tool.
- Wise Use of Forklifts
Furthermore, what is no less important is the use of forklifts according to their specifications. Use a forklift to lift loads that are in accordance with its capacity, do not let us use a forklift to transport objects that exceed its capacity.
If this happens, it will cause the fork to be damaged and the engine will work wastefully. If done continuously, it will cause the tool to break down quickly. So be wise in using a forklift.
In addition, the storage of tools after use needs to be considered. After use, park the forklift in a place that is protected from rain and hot sun.
Try not to use the forklift outdoors too often continuously. For this reason, most of the use of this tool is more in the warehousing area or the production packing section.
- Pay attention to the condition of the forklift tyres
Tyres are also an important component that supports forklift performance. Make sure the tyres are filled with pressure that matches their capacity. Based on standards, forklift front tyres should have a pressure between 100-120 psi, while for the rear tyre the pressure is between 80-100 psi.
Tyre thickness also needs to be considered, if it looks thin and streaks appear, replace the tyres immediately. This is very noteworthy considering that forklifts transport heavy objects, making it possible for tyres to explode and endanger the safety of workers.
These are some of the treatments that need to be done to maintain the performance of the forklift itself. In addition, this treatment is carried out as a form of personal protection and work safety for workers who use forklifts.
Source : https://yaletools.com/id/cara-merawat-forklift/