6 Forklift Parts That Should Never Be Overlooked During Inspection

Daily, repetitious tasks on a forklift are bound to cause wear and tear over time and eventually, worn forklift tires and bent forks become common issues. However, these six parts are possibly the most overlooked at the time of inspection which could result in serious accidents, downtime or both.
 

Forklift Key

Many people think the forklift key is just another piece of metal that can be replaced with a duplicate if it breaks, however It’s not always as easy as it seems. If the key is rusty and worn out, it could break off in the keyhole; resulting in downtime and a new challenge for repair. It’s only a matter of time.
 

Forklift Horn

This is an instrumental forklift part that should never be overlooked as it directly relates to operator and pedestrian safety. Some forklift operators use their horn when operating a forklift while some never use it. Either way, it is an important part that needs inspection before every shift.
 

Spark Plugs

A forklift’s spark plug should fire each and every time, but occasionally, it will misfire. In newer forklift models, one misfire does not mean danger. It’s merely a one-off issue with starting the forklift but should never be ignored. Misfiring spark plugs, over time, can result in extensive engine damage, potentially resulting in thousands of dollars in repairs.
 

Forklift Chains

Forklifts are typically working hard for long hours, each and every day, and forklift chains tend to stretch over time. This may in turn cause worn pins further which may cause the forks to drag. Eventually, the forks are worn down and damaged. This chain reaction starts from the chains and ends up ruining multiple parts. It is also the easiest to prevent as forklift chains should be adjusted every time maintenance is completed to avoid downtime. 
 

Brake Pedals

Brakes, no matter the equipment, wear out over time with constant use. That’s no surprise, however the brake pedals in the forklift cab need to be inspected regularly as well. These brake pedals are made of rubber which can wear down with constant use. If an operator does not have enough friction on the brake pedal, his shoe can slip causing sudden acceleration, straight into a rack or another co-worker.
 

Emergency Brakes

Forklifts, like your automobile, have an emergency brake. With emergency brakes, you never use it until you really need to use it. It’s for times like these that you should be prepared. Have your emergency brakes thoroughly inspected every time your forklift goes for service.

Maintaining your forklift does not need to be difficult or expensive if you follow these 3 steps:

• Maintain a visual forklift inspection schedule before the start of every shift
• Have regularly scheduled forklift maintenance in place
• Provide adequate training to all your forklift operators and seek feedback from operators

Contact your local Brandt Material Handling dealership to schedule thorough on-site inspections of your equipment or to get quotes on a variety of parts, to prevent unforeseen downtime and ensure your equipment is always running safely and reliably.