Do You Need Forklift Repair Services? 4 Signs You Should Not Ignore
A forklift is a convenient machine that can work in different industries. It allows you to move heavy goods quickly and place them in a place you cannot reach by hand. This lead to increased efficiency, convenience, and productivity. However, operating a forklift is a challenging task. You need to keep a close eye on them and seek repair service since they may fail unpredictably, causing downtime and life-ending injuries.
This article will dive deeper into four signs that your forklift needs repair services.
1. Damaged Chain
The chain is an essential component of your forklift. Without it, you cannot lift loads. And if it is damaged, the forklift will be inefficient, and other components will be at high risk of damage. Your forklift may even stop unexpectedly, dropping the goods or injuring you if you are the operator. Check your forklift chain. If it has worn links, corrosion, rust, or makes weird sounds during operation, you might want to call a forklift repair service.
2. Leaking Fluid
A leaking forklift is never a good sign. It could mean your engine or lifting hydraulics are failing. And if you leave it unattended, your engines may overheat and damage the internal components, or the lifting hydraulics may fail without notice. The leaking fluid may damage your floor and expose workers to slip-and-fall fall accidents. Call a forklift repair expert to identify the cause of the leak and fix it immediately.
3. Distorted Forks
The forklift forks carry your goods to different points. While they are designed to withstand heavy weight without breaking, they can sustain damage from colliding with structures, carrying excessive and even loads, or over usage. If your forks are cracked or uneven, or the shank and the blade are bent, you should not use the forklift. You risk damaging the forks further or causing injuries if they break. The safest option is to call a forklift repair technician. They may repair or replace the forks depending on the damage.
4. Jittery Lifting
Your forklift should lift your goods smoothly. If you have noted a jittery movement every time you lift loads, your forklift could be due for repair. Jittery lifting is usually caused by damaged hydraulics, chain, or mast. Considering the weight of the loads your forklift carries, you do not want to delay repairs. The load might fall and injure unsuspecting workers.
These are just a few signs you could observe when your forklift is in disrepair. Generally, if your forklift starts functioning abnormally, it could be begging for attention. Do not hesitate to engage a top-rated forklift repair expert to fix the issues and ensure it runs efficiently. However, if your old forklift requires frequent repairs, you should consider replacing the forklift.