If the forks are not level on the forklift, it is usually caused by over lifting misuse of the forklift. If the forklift forks are bent badly, they should be replaced. If there is just a minor bend to them, they might be able to be fixed in a press. For any of these issues contact the servicing company to look at it and they will determine if they should be replaced or fixed.

Oil

If your gasoline forklift is requiring oil use 10w-30; if it is a diesel use 15w-40. Any brand will work for the application, but still be alert on what type of forklift you are adding oil to.

Shifting

When shifting from forward to reverse or reverse to forward always come to a complete stop before shifting gears. Continuous use of shifting from gear to gear with out coming to a complete stop will cause transmission problems and weeks of down time for the forklift.

Warranty

Most forklifts come with a 1 year or 1,000 hour warranty. Just like a car warranty not everything is covered. Only if a part fails because of manufacturing defect will it be covered under the warranty.

Tires

What causes a tire to develop a slice down the center of the tire?

This is caused by the forklift getting stuck and spinning the tires. The slice is usually caused by a rock or other sharp object digging into the tires while the tires are spinning. To prevent this from occurring, do not spin the tires while you are stuck. When the forklift gets stuck pull the forklift out of the rut.

What can I do to prevent flat tires on my forklift?

Flat tires can happen for several reasons. Most commonly it is because of nails getting stuck in the tire. The obvious solution is to not run over any nails and to keep the nails out of the yard. Find the source of the nails being distributed in the yard and eliminate it.

Some other causes for flat tires are sidewall damage and natural wear on the t ire. Sidewall damage can be avoided by not hitting the driers with the tires or any other side impact. Natural wear on the tire cannot be prevented; replacing the tire before it goes flat can be done. When your forklift service company does the PM they are supposed to look at the tires and notify you when and if they should be replaced.

Should I foam fill my flat tire?

We prefer that you don't foam fill the tire. It is more costly to foam fill the tire than to replace it with new. We prefer to use an off road grade sealant which can seal a half inch hole.

What about solid tires?

Solid tires should be used on black top surfaces. They extend the life of the tire and eliminate flats. The cost of solid tires compared to pneumatic tires, are usually doubled but you eliminate flat tire replacements and repairs. They do have some negatives to them; they cause a rougher ride and cause the forklift to get stuck more frequently in gravel yards. Putting solid tires on the steering wheels will help eliminate flat repairs on the steering tires, but have no effect on getting stuck in the gravel.

When do I use a tire sealant?

Tire sealant is used on tires that do not have tubes. If the tire has a tube in it, do not use a tire sealant. Tire sealant will repair a puncture but not a tear. Tears require a new tire.

Where can I get the tire sealant?

The tire sealant can only be put in by a tire servicing company. If you are having an issue with flats and would like to inquire about getting the sealant please contact the forklift department so we can contact the tire company in your area.

What are the different types of tires and when do I use them.

Parking Brakes

Parking brakes are designed to hold the machine safely in place when parked. The proper procedure for using the parking brake is waiting for the forklift to come to a complete stop, pull the parking brake handle to engage the parking brake. OSHA requires the forklift to have the wheels chocked to prevent any accident from happening once the parking brake is engaged. Do not use the parking brake to stop the vehicle from a moving position. It can be used to stop the forklift in case of emergency but not on a continuous basis. A common misconception is that if you pull harder on the parking brake the tighter the brakes will hold; this is not the case. If the parking brake handle is pulled and the forklift still moves then a minor adjustment can be made by turning the top of the handle until you can pull the handle back with ease and have the forklift stay in place. Do not over tighten it so two hands are required to pull it back. By doing this, more problems will occur and cause it to break.

Preventive Maintenance

Each store should have a preventive maintenance chart hanging up. The chart should have the servicing company listed, their contact name and number, when the PM's are scheduled and when the PM's were completed.