Forklift Inspection

Forklift Inspection 

4 items related to forklift inspection

when do you do maintenance?

If you are working with a forklift, you should also be aware of the inspection.
Regular inspection of the forklift is important not only to prevent accidents before they happen, but also to ensure efficient work and longevity of the forklift itself.

• How fast should a forklift be maintained?
• I do not know what kind of maintenance method is available
• What to do if something goes wrong

For those people, I've compiled information about forklift inspection.

Table of Contents

1. About the importance of inspection
2. What are the forklift inspections?
3. Inspection items
4. What to do when an abnormality is found
5. Summary

1. About the importance of inspection

Work vehicles such as forklifts are subject to regular inspections by law.
Should an accident occur while using a forklift, not only personal damage but also cost will be considerable.
By performing inspections, you can prevent breakdowns in forklift trucks and prevent accidental repairs, which can prevent sudden shutdowns, maintenance costs, and occupational accidents.
If you do not inspect as prescribed, you will be fined, so be sure to remember to inspect regularly.

2. What are the forklift inspections?

There are three types of forklift inspection: annual inspection, monthly inspection, and pre-operation inspection.
Let's introduce each feature.

Annual inspection

An annual inspection of a forklift is like a vehicle inspection.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations, "voluntary inspection by qualified personnel once a year for every period not exceeding one year" is obligatory, and this is the annual inspection.
The annual inspection not only helps the forklift to operate safely, but also “makes it last longer”, which will greatly contribute to cost reduction for the company.
The annual inspection must be carried out by an inspector with national qualifications or a licensed inspection agent, and the inspection mark sticker will be attached when the inspection is completed.
Be sure to check the date on the sticker as the date of the next annual inspection will be indicated.

Monthly inspection

In addition to the annual inspection of forklifts, there is a rule that "the inspection of the forklift must be done once every period not exceeding one month".
This is a monthly inspection, and neglecting this inspection may lead to unexpected accidents.
As a company, you can save a lot of money if you regularly inspect and replace inexpensive parts.
Remember to keep a record of the results of your monthly inspections for three years, so be sure to remember it.

Start of work before inspection

In addition to annual and monthly inspections, forklifts are obliged to be checked before starting work.
As the name implies, it is an inspection performed before the start of work. If an abnormality is found during inspection, it must be repaired immediately.
Unlike passenger cars, forklifts have a variety of characteristics, so you should always make sure you can use them safely for a day.
Pre-start inspection is indispensable for checking the vehicle condition, and if neglected, a major disaster could occur.

3. Inspection items

Here are some specific items for forklift inspection.

Items for annual inspection

• Abnormality of compression pressure, valve clearance and other prime mover
• Abnormality of differential, propeller shaft and other power transmission devices
• Abnormality of tires, wheel bearings and other running devices
• Left / right rotation angle of steering wheel, presence / absence of abnormality in knuckle, rod, arm or other control device
• Abnormality of braking ability, brakes, drums, brake shoes and other braking devices
• Abnormality of fork, mast, chain, chain wheel and other cargo handling equipment
• Abnormality of hydraulic pump, hydraulic motor, cylinder, safety valve and other hydraulic devices
• Whether there is a voltage, current, or other abnormality in the electrical system
• Abnormality of the vehicle body, head guard, backrest, alarm device, direction indicator, lighting device and instrument

The above are the items required for the annual inspection of the forklift.
Annual inspection will take time, so we recommend that you ask a vendor who will provide a substitute car for you free of charge.

Items for monthly inspection

Monthly inspection can be performed by people who do not have national qualifications like annual inspection.
The inspection items are as follows.

1. Abnormality of braking device, clutch and control device
2. Abnormality of cargo handling equipment and hydraulic equipment
3. Abnormality of head guard and backrest

Items to check before starting work

Before starting work, be sure to go around the vehicle and check for any abnormalities.
Even a small amount of water or oil leaks can lead to serious abnormalities.
Check the hydraulic piping, hoses, and cylinders, and visually check for marks of water or oil leaks.
You should also check the forks and backless for cracks and damage.
Also, check for any abnormal tires or REMs.
Check the rim mounting bolts for looseness, damage to the rim, damage to the tires or foreign objects, and also check the tire pressure.
In addition, check the braking effectiveness and whether there are any abnormalities in alarms, gauges, and lamps. Start the engine, move the work lever, and check if it works properly.

Four. What to do when an abnormality is found

If any abnormality is found in the forklift during inspection, contact a repair company immediately.

• The engine stopped and stopped
• Black smoke is coming from the engine
• The braking effect is poor
• Tires are deflated
• Lift chain is in poor condition
• Doesn't work when power is turned on
• Noise or vibration is noticeable
• The fork part no longer moves up and down
• Power is down

Especially when such an abnormality is observed, there is a danger of causing a serious accident if you continue to use it.
It may be possible to repair by just replacing the parts, so it is recommended that you consult us as soon as possible.
Even if it is an emergency repair, some companies will prepare a substitute car if it takes several days.
In addition, early consultation is important even when the battery does not last long.
The battery will deteriorate faster if you continue to use it without maintenance, but you can extend its life by regular care.
Replacing a new battery is expensive, so you have to find a way to use it as long as possible.
Some vendors also carry out a free inspection of the battery, so please look for it.

Five. Summary

I summarized the information about the inspection of the forklift, but how was it?

• About the importance of inspection
• What are the forklift inspections?
• Inspection items
• What to do when an abnormality is found

If you are or plan to handle a forklift, this article is for you to know how to inspect your forklift.
Regular inspection is indispensable to use the forklift safely and effectively.