Use Forklifts in Your Company? Make Sure You Keep Them Maintained
If you use forklifts for your company, you need to keep them maintained so your company can run smoothly. There are also OSHA requirements you have to go by. Below are some tips on how you can do this to get you started.
Lubricate Parts
A forklift has many moving parts, and you need to make sure you keep these parts lubricated at all times. If you do not, this will cause friction on these parts and quickly damage them. All the fittings should be greased regularly. Also, keep an eye on the ball bearings, as they can wear out easily if not lubricated even for a short time. If the bearings do wear out, you should replace them quickly.
Check the Fluids
A forklift uses a variety of fluids to help keep it running efficiently. It uses oil, which keeps the many components inside the engine lubricated. You need to check the hydraulic and transmission fluids also. Check these fluids on a regular basis. How often this is depends on how often you use the forklift. For example, if you use the forklift every single day, you need to check the fluids at the end of each day.
Keep the Tires Maintained
You need to check the tires often, and if they look damaged or worn out, you need to replace them. Tires that are not in good condition will increase the amount of fuel the forklift uses. If the forklift has a flat tire while someone is driving it, this can cause an accident. This can cause very bad injuries, especially if the forklift was carrying a heavy load, and cause your items to be damaged. This will result in money spent on replacing the items as well as medical costs for the employee if they need to make a worker's compensation claim.
Keep a Maintenance Schedule
Write down the maintenance schedule and keep a copy with you as well as post it in the area where you keep the forklifts. This will allow you to remember the maintenance you need to do to ensure it is done. You need to always put dates, such as the date of the last oil change and fluid refills.
Check the Gauges
There are gauges on the instrument panel of forklifts that show whether there is something not working properly. Make sure your drivers check these gauges constantly so they can take appropriate action to take care of the problem. For example, there should be a light indicating the oil is low and a light indicating that the battery needs to be charged.
If you rely on your forklifts a lot and have a lot of them, you should consider having them professionally maintained by a company such as Horizon Equipment Rentals at least once a year.
