One for All and All for One - The Forklift Attachment

It’s undeniable that the forklift has a long and storied history as an industrial workhorse.  Nor is it difficult to understand just how important the forklift is when you consider the numerous and varied applications where forklifts are used in everything from manufacturing and warehousing to metal working and agriculture.  Without a doubt, the forklift offers unmatched efficacy and versatility among industrial equipment, but this is statement cannot be made without a few caveats.

                

Although standardized forks are one of the defining features of the forklift, there are situations and applications where they are less than ideal.  Without additional equipment, the standard fork setup can be inefficient and limited to lifting palletized or standardized loads.  As such, the forklift offers limited utility if separated from the enhanced versatility made possible by a myriad of attachments and accessories. 

The forklift becomes almost infinitely adaptable with the addition of an appropriately selected attachment, as it is no longer restricted to standard loads or maneuvers.  In the agricultural, pharmaceutical, food and beverage industries, for example, clamp attachments are used to grip barrels, drums, bales, paper roles and cartons without loading them onto a pallet or causing damage to the load in the process.  Other examples of load specific attachments include replacing the forks with long poles to transport carpet or tires and specialized multi-fork setups designed to efficiently carry potted plants or trees. 

This isn’t to say that all attachments completely replace the standard fork.  For applications suited for standard forks, attachments expand the capabilities of the forklift and allow operators to perform their duties in a more efficient and effective manner.  Among the most popular applications of this principle are side-shifts and fork positioners, which allow the operator to reposition either the forks or the entire carriage, respectively, without getting out of the forklift.  Rotators, on the other hand, allow an operator to pick up, transport and dump a container with a single forklift by rotating the forks, carriage and load up to 360°. 

As you can see, there are attachments for nearly every application, attachments which help to improve efficiency, productivity and safety while handling loads.  The only question is, which one best suits your application?  If you’re not satisfied with your productivity, contact the forklift experts at Lucas Liftruck for help selecting an attachment for your application! 

Winter is Here - Forklift Maintenance Tips

Winter is here! 

And, along with it, a host of potential issues for forklift owners and operators alike.  Among the most concerning issues are increased fuel consumption, downtime and wear, all of which are directly influenced by cold weather conditions.  As temperatures drop below freezing, fuel consumption tends to increases as engines struggle to start in colder weather (also known as cold starts) and must idle for longer periods of time before operation.  Meanwhile, the colder weather also places additional strain on key components which suffer from a buildup of ice particles.  To help you avoid the worst of the winter’s wrath, we’ve prepared a list of tips to help you prepare ahead of the winter snow:

Test Your Battery and Starter

Ironically, warm summer weather is the direct cause of many of the issues associated with batteries in the winter time as excessive summer temperatures accelerate corrosion and cause water to evaporate from the battery’s electrolyte.  This, in turn, decreases battery capacity, longevity and its ability to start the engine.  Since engines require more power from the battery to start during the winter and battery output drops by almost 50% at -18C, a damaged battery is bound to cause issues once temperatures stop dropping in the winter months.  To avoid any issues, we recommend testing your batteries (and replacing if necessary) and checking all wires and terminals for corrosion.   

Avoid Cold Starts

Cold weather presents a host of issues during start up for internal combustion engines, all of which combine to increase wear and fuel consumption.  This is most apparent during start up, where the battery-related issues combine with thickened engine oil to increase fuel consumption.  In fact, fuel efficiency plummets for up to 20 minutes following a cold start as engines utilize a richer fuel-to-air ratio to avoid stalling while it reaches operating temperatures.  To alleviate these issues, we recommend that you use of a block heater and battery blanket, store your forklift inside, and use a thinner grade of oil during the winter months. 

Avoid Short Run-Times

As mentioned above, engines tend to run a richer fuel to air ratio for the first 20+ minutes after a cold start to avoid stalling as the engine reaches operating temperature.  During this time, it is possible for water vapor to accumulate in the engine oil and exhaust system as temperatures are insufficient to cause evaporation.  To prevent the excessive buildup of water and/or ice in these systems, avoid operating your forklift for less than 30 minutes at a time during the winter months. 

Proper Winter Maintenance

Unsurprisingly, a proper tune up both before and during winter goes a long way towards avoiding excessive damage and/or downtime as temperatures drop.  Be sure that your mechanic checks the following systems to avoid cold weather issues:

Proper tire pressure and tread depth

The operation of the ignition switch, starter and glow plugs

Coolant and lubrication levels

Change wipers, seals, and lubricants (if necessary)

Whether it is the middle of summer or the dead of winter, one of the most important steps you can take to ensure that forklift stays in peak operating condition is to pay attention to obvious signs, perform regular inspections, and ensure a regular maintenance schedule.  To schedule a pre-winter tune up or a planned maintenance schedule, contact Lucas today! 

www.lucasliftruck.com | info@lucasliftruck.com | 905-227-3291

Essential Maintenance Tips - Forklifts and Lift Trucks

No matter the application or industry, here are several essential maintenance tips that will help keep your lift trucks and forklifts in peak operating condition:

1.      Proper Lubrication – be sure to adequately lubricate all wearable components – basically all of the parts regularly exposed to heat and friction (such as bushings and bearings). Without proper lubrication, these components are susceptible to excessive wear, ultimately leading to premature failure and replacement.

2.      Maintain Fluid Levels – similar to lubrication, fluids such as engine oil and transmission fluid help to disperse heat resulting from friction, thereby prolonging the longevity of essential parts and components. Forklifts without adequate fluid levels are far more likely to experience the premature wear and replacement of parts, components and seals.

3.      Loose Connections and Fittings – depending on the location, a loose connection of fitting may result in fluid loss, excessive vibration, and short circuits. To avoid these issues – and the damage they cause – regularly inspect and tighten all hardware and connections on the forklift or lift truck.

4.      Chains and castor adjustments: Lift chains stretch during normal use and castor assemblies are critical to ride stability. Proper lift chain adjustment may prevent fork replacements and mast repairs. Poorly adjusted castors can cause premature load wheel wear.

For those that do not have the personnel or resources to properly maintain their forklifts or lift trucks, Lucas Liftruck Services Ltd. offers an excellent Planned Maintenance Program. With a PMP in place, Lucas will take the guess work out of your maintenance schedule as our expert technicians keep your forklifts in peak operating condition. Contact Lucas today at 905-227-3291 or email us at info@lucasliftruck.com. 

Forklift Operator Checklist

Although forklifts are designed to perform rugged tasks, each time they are used they can get damaged in myriad of ways. That's why inspections are so important. At the start of each shift, perform both a visual inspection of the general condition and cleanliness of the lift truck, as well as an operational check to test its functioning properly. If you notice anything that may affect the normal operation of the forklift, immediately alert your supervisor.

Checklist for Visual Inspection

• floor clear of objects that could cause an accident
• no obstructions overhead.
• note any nearby objects to avoid as you drive away
• fire extinguisher present, and charged
• engine oil level, fuel level, radiator water level (LPG, gas and diesel forklifts)
• battery fully charged and securely in place
• cables for exposed wires
• battery plug connections not loose, worn or dirty
• vent caps not clogged
• electrolyte levels in cells
• hold downs or brackets
• bolts, nuts, guards, chains, or hydraulic hose reels not damaged, missing or loose
• wheels and tires not worn or damaged
• air pressure of pneumatic tires
• forks not bent or cracked
• positioning latches in good working condition
• carriage teeth not broken, chipped or worn
• chain anchor pins not worn, loose or bent
• no damp spots or drips that may indicate a leak
• hoses held securely, not loose, crimped, worn or rubbing

Checklist for Operational Pre-Use Inspection

• horn working and loud enough to be heard in working environment; other warning devices operational
• floor brake: pedal holds, unit stops smoothly
• parking brake: holds against slight acceleration
• deadman seat brake: holds when operator rises from seat
• clutch and gearshift: shifts smoothly with no jumping or jerking
• dash control panel: all lights and gauges operational
• steering: moves smoothly
• lift mechanism: operates smoothly (check by raising forks to maximum height then lowering completely)
• tilt mechanism: moves smoothly, holds (check by tilting mast all the way forward and backward)
• cylinders and hoses: not leaking after above checks
• no unusual sounds

Only permit qualified people to operate, service and maintain forklift and lift trucks. For assistance with your training and certification needs, contact Lucas today at 905-227-7554 or at info@lucasliftruck.com. 

Reduce Harmful Emissions and Save Hundreds Each Month with Lucas

Would you like to improve the health of you and your employees AND dramatically reduce your LPG fuel costs? If so, consider Lucas Liftruck’s exhaust gas emissions testing program, which will help to ensure your company is OHSA compliant while improving your forklifts fuel efficiency.

Health Concerns - Carbon Monoxide and Emissions Gas

Due to the risks associated with exposure to high levels of carbon monoxide (CO) gas, OHSA regulations stipulate that employers are responsible for maintaining air quality within acceptable limits in the workplace by keeping CO levels 25ppm. The byproduct of internal combustion engines, CO gas is created when an engine is incapable of completely combusting its hydrocarbon fuel mixture. Once released into the atmosphere, the odorless and invisible gas causes a cumulative effect on employee health by preventing red blood cells from carrying oxygen. Symptoms of carbon monoxide overexposure include respiratory irritation, headache, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, coma and death. Since CO gas is heavier than oxygen it poses a significant problem for indoor facilities operating LPG forklifts as the gas does not easily dissipate from the environment.

Fuel Efficiency - Carbon Monoxide and Emissions Gas

In addition to the health concerns posed by CO gas, the production of CO gas is also indicative of fuel wastage in LPG forklifts. For every 1% of CO emissions above the targeted level of 0.5%, between 3 - 5% of fuel is wasted. Without the proper adjustments, 90% of all forklifts will have CO levels between 3% and 10%. Even at the lower end of the spectrum, properly adjusting your LPG forklift through Lucas’s emissions testing program could save hundreds - or even thousands - of dollars on annual fuel costs for every forklift tested.

Regular Maintenance - Carbon Monoxide and Emissions Gas

There are other ways to reduce LPG forklift emissions beyond exhaust gas analysis and emissions testing. By following a regular maintenance schedule (PM Service), you reduce unnecessary emissions and also prevent premature wear on components and parts. Areas to focus on include keeping the ignition system in excellent shape and keeping the truck as clean as possible by replacing filters, fluids and PCV valve regularly. Catalytic Converters are also available, as they help reduce toxic emissions by up to 90% by allowing the exhaust gases to burn more completely

For more information on our emissions testing and exhaust gas analysis program, or to schedule an appointment for your business, please visit us online at www.lucasliftruck.com, email us at info@lucasliftruck.com or call us at 905-227-3291. 

The Case for Short-term Forklift Rentals

Short-term rentals have become more and more popular for businesses that do not require full-time access to a forklift or when a business wants to capitalize on a temporary increase in demand or an excellent sales quarter. In these instances, it makes a lot of financial sense to rent lift equipment on a short-term basis. But when else should you think about renting a forklift?

Other situations include:
    1) When unexpected needs arise and require material handling equipment on limited notice.
    2) If you are in a seasonal sales cycle and need additional equipment to handle increased demand.
    3) When you do not want to maintain unused equipment during the off-season or off-peak periods.
    4) When your equipment is unavailable due to damage or repairs.
    5) When you need to handle/transport an atypical load or product.
    6) When you must maintain productivity under tight budget constraints.

At Lucas, we are currently offering great rental and leasing rates on our fleet of late model forklifts and lift trucks as part of our spring promotional spotlight. For more information, please visit our website or call us at 905-227-3291.

Selecting the Right Type of Forklift Tires

Overall, there are three basic types of tires available for forklifts: cushion, pneumatic air and solid pneumatic. Since each type of forklift tire is designed for specific usages and applications, there is often a correlation between tire type and the overall design and dimensions of a forklift. The by-product of this relationship is a categorization system that identifies forklifts by tire type above other – seemingly more important – considerations. In accordance with this correlation, it is essential that potential buyers consider both their operating conditions and work environment throughout the purchasing process.

Ideal for indoor applications, cushion tires are constructed of solid rubber attached to a round metal rim and have the smallest diameter of the three options. For cushion tire forklifts, this results in a smaller chassis, lower ground clearance and a superior turning radius when compared to other models. In turn, this creates a more maneuverable forklift capable of operating in the narrow aisles and restrictive spacing typically found in applications such as indoor manufacturing & distribution facilities, receiving docks and/or greenhouses.

Larger and wider than solid cushion tires, pneumatic forklift tires are constructed of a treaded rubber exterior with an internal cavity filled with air or, occasionally, polyurethane foam. When combined with the added durability and ground clearance that results from these design features, pneumatic forklift tires are the preferred option for heavy-duty and/or outdoor applications with rough, uneven terrain. Since forklifts are built without a suspension system, pneumatic tires will also provide the operator with superior comfort by suppressing bumps and vibration, thereby decreasing operator fatigue and improving productivity.

Similar to pneumatic air tires, solid pneumatic tires are constructed of aggressively layered rubber yet lack the hollow internal cavity of a pneumatic air tire. Solid pneumatic tires are best viewed as a combination of the solid construction of a cushion tire and the durability of a pneumatic tire. The net effect of this combination is a forklift tire that is less susceptible to punctures or damage from sharp, irregular objects or debris, such as those typically found in storage facilities, lumber mills and scrap metal yards. This dynamic construction also means that solid pneumatic tires are more versatile than the other two tire types, which enables owners to utilize them in small to mid-sized operations that have both indoor and outdoor applications.