The forklift is a crucial piece of machinery across various industries, and it comes in many shapes and sizes, from dock stockers to telehandlers. Forklifts are versatile and can perform many different types of tasks even within the same workday, making them a cornerstone of industries as diverse as freight, construction, retail, and farming.
Because these machines are so fundamental to the daily operation of many businesses, it?s important to keep them in good shape. Keeping a daily inspection checklist for forklifts can help ensure your lifts stay operational for longer while also keeping the workplace safer.
Forklifts can get a lot of run time throughout the day?sometimes up to 18, depending on the number of shifts. When a piece of equipment gets this much use, it may seem like a waste of time to stop at the beginning of each shift and perform a multi-point inspection. After all, if something goes wrong during operation, your drivers are sure to know about it, right? Unfortunately, that?s not always the case.
Critical pieces can wear down over time and begin failing long before any noticeable problems arise. Additionally, the hoses and other components may come loose throughout the day without totally failing. If you begin operating the lift the next day without checking, it could lead to a catastrophic failure during operation. By completing a daily forklift inspection checklist, you and your teams can catch problems before they arise and perform proactive maintenance to prevent more costly repairs.
Daily inspections also make your workplace safer. While forklifts are invaluable to many businesses, they?re also potentially dangerous machines and must be treated as such. Preventing an incident, like a hydraulic failure, doesn?t just save money; it could also save lives.
There are many different styles of forklifts made by many different manufacturers, and each has its specific needs. Always refer to the owner?s manual and the manufacturer?s instructions when designing a daily forklift inspection checklist. That said, here are a few general suggestions for what must be done before using a forklift each day.
First, there are a few steps you should take before even starting the lift. This is known as a pre-operational check.
Start by checking all hydraulic hoses are properly connected. Look near these connections and on the floor to ensure there are no leaks. A hydraulic leak will mean the forklift won?t function properly and needs to be addressed as soon as possible.
Give the lift a once-over to verify that there are no defects, damaged parts, or missing components.
Confirm that the tires are properly pressurized, and that the forks are secured.
Step into the operator compartment and start inspecting the area. Look for all the vehicle safety notices, and make you have a clean and unobstructed working space.
Verify that all controls are present and usable, then make sure any in-vehicle safety devices are in working order. Some lifts have seat locks and seat belts, while others require harnesses.
Once you?ve completed the above, you can finally turn on the lift and perform an operational check. Here?s what that process looks like:
Checking the power supply is another essential step for all equipment. For forklifts powered by liquid propane, it?s crucial that the propane tank is mounted properly and strapped down with intact restraints to prevent too much movement and jostling.
These lifts also have a pressure relief valve that generally needs to be pointed up. Make sure the tank is in good shape, free of leaks, dents, or cracks, and that the hoses are all securely fastened. If the tank doesn?t fit well, discontinue operation until an appropriate replacement is found.
Electric forklifts are powered by heavy batteries that need to be properly secure to ensure they don?t come loose during the workday. Make sure the battery?s connectors aren?t overly corroded, and check that all cables are firmly attached. Double- and triple-check that the battery is restrained, and that the battery covering is well secured.
Forklifts that run on combustion energy rely on many of the same mechanisms that a gas car needs to run. When starting your day, that all fluids (oil, coolant, and brake fluids, usually) are at optimal levels and that the radiator and air filter are in good condition.
When your business needs reliable heavy equipment, count on Aerial Titans to have a wide selection of new and fully vetted used models. All used forklifts come fully refurbished for smooth handling and information about their running hours to date. We also make it easy to find equipment specs for the brands we carry to help you make a fully informed decision. Financiación is also available, so you can make sure the equipment you want fits into your business?s budget.
