4 Tips For Servicing Forklifts: A Short Guide For Warehouse Managers
A forklift is a workhorse in a warehouse; forklift parts wear out and require replacement over time. Forklift maintenance and repair can guarantee the longevity of the equipment while also reducing downtime. Therefore, the machinery should be maintained and repaired according to the manufacturer's manual and by a certified technician. Here are some tips for the maintenance and repair of forklifts.
Maximise Warranty
To get the most out of forklift components, you should always maximise the warranty period. If a warranty covers a forklift component for a particular duration or mileage, then any damage to the part compels a vendor to replace it free of charge. Besides, an extension of warranties can save you repair and maintenance costs.
Stock Up Common Parts
One major mistake that most warehouse owners make is lack of preparedness when it comes to servicing forklifts. Experts recommend that you should stock up common spare parts such as valves, tires, and filters to reduce downtime. When a forklift breaks down, it could take days or even weeks to repair and get it up and running. Therefore, when you keep common spare parts at hand, you can easily service the equipment, especially for the standard components that wear out frequently.
Forklift Filters
Forklifts, just like any other automobiles, have oil and air filters that must be changed after a specific interval as specified in the manufacturer's manual. However, the average time for replacing these filters is usually 500 hours. For forklifts that operate less than 500 hours, then the filters must be replaced at least once per year. Overused filters can cause all kinds of dirt and debris to enter the engine and damage useful components, which can subsequently lead to forklift failure. To keep track of filter change schedule, record the hour meter reading during every maintenance exercise.
Batteries and Chargers
If you own electric forklifts, then you need to know that faulty batteries and chargers can lead to injuries. Special care should be given to batteries to ensure extended service life. When you take your forklift for servicing, make sure that a technician inspects the battery to guarantee that its voltage size matches that of the charger. The best way to know the voltage of a forklift battery is to count the number of cells then multiply the value by two. Furthermore, battery maintenance is crucial since you may need to water the cells after 5 to 20 charging cycles. However, remember that the watering frequency depends on the age of batteries.
For more information, reach out to forklift repair services.
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