Keeping up with forklift parts replacement ensures your warehouse equipment stays up and running at peak performance. There are clues to watch for that indicate when a part may need to be replaced.
For example, if operators notice that it takes more force to steer their forklift, this is a sign that the power steering hose needs to be replaced.
4 Lift Truck Replacement Parts Warehouses Need
1. Forks
Forks are the forklift’s primary load-bearing attachment and must be in good condition to handle heavy loads safely. They mount to ITA carriage bars with locking mechanisms and should be inspected daily to ensure they are secure and free from damage or wear.
The forks should also be the proper height to prevent them from scraping the warehouse floor surface or hitting items stored in pallets. You can check the forks’ height using a straight edge or a level to measure the fork height and compare it to the carriage bar length.
Other fork accessories include inverted forks for lifting suspended loads and extension forks that provide extra reach to handle long loads. Some forks even feature special features, like drum-handling forks with grooves to safely lift and transport drums of liquid, coil-handling forks that rest on a metal cradle, and explosion-proof forks made of stainless steel to avoid sparking in dangerous environments.
2. Oil Filters
The old saying “you get what you pay for” is particularly true regarding replacement parts, especially oil filters. High-quality filters can extend the life of an engine, and it’s essential to keep up with their maintenance.
Educating your customers about what makes a good filter can help you sell more of these critical pieces of equipment. It all starts with the filter media, which should be designed to trap dirt efficiently while ensuring unrestricted oil flow. A relief and anti-drain back valve are also essential for optimum performance.
A quality filter can save your customer money in the long run by extending the life of their forklift’s engine. To further help their bottom line, Hyster forklift parts are made available.
3. Brakes
Brakes are a big deal to truck drivers. They are sturdy, durable, and designed to stop your truck. But they don’t last forever. Eventually, you’ll need to replace them, especially if you are hauling heavy loads.
Truck air brakes work by pushing a brake shoe against the inside of a drum to slow or stop it. Over time these brakes can build up a lot of heat. This is why truck drivers and their companies must regularly check the brakes.
This includes depressing the brake pedal to ensure the system’s pressure is still up with the cut-out governor pressure.
4. Tires
Tires are responsible for bearing the weight of a lift truck and its loads, providing traction, absorbing shocks and vibrations, and contributing to stability and maneuverability. Properly inflated and maintained tires can significantly reduce accidents, injuries, and property damage.
Tire characteristics can change if they aren’t handled and stored correctly, which can shorten their life span and require them to be replaced sooner than they would otherwise. This is especially true for tires left in sunlight for long periods, which can cause them to lose shape and deteriorate.
Tires mounted on rims should be stacked or hung up when not used. For example, you can store tires on a vertical carousel in your warehouse to quickly locate them and reduce the time spent handling them.
