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5 Common Signs that Your Forklift Needs Repairs

Forklift servicing is a must-do for any business. Forklifts are subjected to very high levels of wear and tear, and occasional damage from impact in their work. Problems may be hydraulic, electrical, or mechanical, or something as simple but potentially dangerous as worn tyres

Problem Prevention

Best practice is to stay ahead of any possible problems, and respond quickly to any operational issue(s) which indicate performance problems, particularly possible safety-related incidents. It’s strongly advised to conduct forklift maintenance regularly, and forklift repairs ASAP, to prevent downtime and avoid risk. A forklift maintenance schedule is a good way of keeping your maintenance running smoothly.

The Signs that Your Forklift Needs Repairs

The rule here is “If it looks like a problem, it is a problem”. These are the most common signs of need for repairs:

  1. Mobility issues – Forklifts may respond sluggishly on the job, or steering may become erratic or loose. Turning may be difficult. These problems may be mechanical and/or electrical. They are also potentially serious issues for safe operations, and require immediate repairs.
  2. Battery – Batteries are important power sources in forklift operations. Older batteries, naturally, become less reliable over time. The usual suspects in power problems are the batteries, so be prepared to replace them, and make sure your forklift battery maintenance is carried out regularly.
  3. Mechanical problems – Forklifts aren’t overly mechanically complex, but they do contain a lot of mechanical operational parts. Typically, particularly for older forklifts, wear on the mechanical components manifests itself as operational dysfunctions. The lift mechanism, for example, may seize up for a moment, or respond sluggishly. Get these issues fixed fast, because the forklift is obviously not in top quality condition, and these types of problems only get worse, sometimes quickly.
  4. Tyres – Forklift tyres are continuously subjected to uniquely severe forces from loads and operating environments. Remember that your forklift’s tyres are carrying the total load of your forklift. Signs of wear on one side of the forklift, for example, may be caused by a slightly imbalanced load, and/or operational environments like construction sites. This wear continually damages the forklift, can affect the wheel axles and traction, and can make it unsafe to operate.
  5. Electrical issues – Electrical systems on forklifts also work continuously, and electrical “outs” can be serious trouble on site. The main problem with electrical systems is that if they fail, they do so suddenly, and can fail without warning. The cure for electrical system risks is to ensure that your electrical system is checked during the maintenance process and that any faults are repaired immediately.

The Easy Way to Fix Any Forklift Problem?

A quick phone call is also a good way to keep your forklift in top quality working order – happy to chat. Contact Aussie Forklift Repairs on (02) 9679 8992, or complete our quick online form.