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. 

The Ontario Ministry of Labour Safety Blitz is upon us

It’s coming up on that time of year again; where the government inspection blitzes from the Occupational Health and Safety Program come knocking. In 2015, it is set to run from September 12 – October 23. At Lucas Liftruck Services we like to get a head start on alerting potential customers who may be caught unaware by this blitz, and perform on-site inspections of forklift and lift truck fleets to be sure your company will not be penalized for faulty equipment. Workplace injuries and fatalities can usually be traced to a few root causes; and so the Occupational Health & Safety inspectors will probe your industrial equipment thoroughly. A competent Lucas forklift technician can sign off on your fleet’s safety and save you from suffering fines and down-time due to tagged equipment deemed unsafe. Being pro-active to avoid harsh fines is essential in keeping your business running efficiently. Whether you are due for another equipment inspection or not, having a trained technician inspect your fleet of forklifts and pallet trucks before the Occupational Health & Safety inspectors arrive at your door will ensure your compliance and express the importance your company places in safety at the workplace. Lucas Liftruck’s current customers enjoy a maintenance package which tracks their OSHA’s through fleet management and advanced record keeping, offering our clients worry-free operations through planned maintenance. Improve your safety processes and work with a Lucas Liftruck professional.