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. 

How Long Will Your Forklift Tires Last?

To date, no exact science or formula exists for determining how long a set of forklift tires will last. Rather, maintenance staff, mechanics and technicians must examine a number of factors to determine when it’s time to change your lift truck tires. Several factors must be taken into consideration here, including the total number of operating hours and intensity of use, driving habits or operator style, application type (i.e., long runs without a load, excessive speed or rotation with a load), operating conditions, the tire type and compound, as well as the vehicle’s average load weight.

Note: these figures should only be used as estimations only. Determining the exact amount of acceptable wear for a given tire depends upon the size of the tires and the conditions in which it is operated. To avoid accidents, injury or damage, regular tire inspections should be included in each vehicle's monthly maintenance schedule.

With pneumatic forklift tires, a tire needs to be replaced after the outside diameter has worn approximately 2” to 3". Conversely, press on cushion tires need to be replaced after the outside diameter is worn by 1 1/2" or when 30-40% of the tire’s rubber is gone. Beyond tread wear, other signs that indicate a tire should be replaced include: undercutting, chunking and chipping.

• Undercutting occurs as a result of overloading and sharp or aggressive steering. This causes the rubber to begin receding from the metal band at the center of the tire.
• Chunking, as the name suggests, is when large pieces or chunks of rubber detach from the surface of the tire. Common causes include collisions with objects, repetitive contact with debris or refuse, and driving over coarse/jagged terrain.
• Chipping refers to damage to the surface of the tire such as incisions, slashes, nicks, punctures, and divots. Like chunking, this is often caused when cushion tires are regularly operated on coarse or irregular surfaces. 

While your forklift tires can still be “operational” with significant wear, there are a number of benefits to be gained by replacing worn out or deteriorating forklift or lift truck tires. Beyond the immediate safety concerns, there are also financial, operational and productivity risks to take into consideration.  By avoiding the costs associated with replacing worn out forklift tires, owners can incur far greater maintenance fees down the road as the additional vibration, strain and shock placed upon forklift components can result in equipment failures, downtime and have to prematurely replace essential parts and components. 

Worn tires can also have an impact on your operation’s productivity and efficiency as the increased vibration, instability and stress can result in above average operator strain, thereby reducing the operator’s ability to control the vehicle. This, in turn, limits the vehicle’s fuel efficiency, speed, turning capacity, and stopping power.

For inspections, repairs and replacements in the Niagara Region, contact Lucas Liftruck Services Ltd.

Phone: (905) 227-3291 
Email at info@lucasliftruck.com 

Up-Coming Winter Inspection Blitz in Ontario

Following up on their recent material handling inspection blitz – conducted September 14^th to October 23^rd, 2015 – the Ontario Ministry of Labor plans to conduct another inspection blitz from January 18^th to February 26^th that focuses on the safe operation of industrial machinery. As part of their Safe at Work Ontario strategy, the Ontario Ministry of Labor regularly conducts sector-specific inspection blitzes designed to increase health and safety awareness and compliance within industries, sectors and workplaces determined to be vulnerable to the targeted hazard of each blitz.

With the up-coming inspection blitz on the safe operation of industrial machinery, inspectors will emphasize the following hazards: contact with moving parts, a variety of energy sources (electricity, heat, fire and cold), pressurized gasses or liquids, dangerous chemical or biological hazards, and exposure to ergonomic hazards and/or unsafe environmental hazards such as excessive noise/vibration and radiation. Non-compliance in regards to any of the aforementioned issues will result in prosecution of the guilty party, where the maximum penalties for individuals include up to 12 months in jail and a $25,000 fine, while corporations may be fined up to $500,000.

Based upon the available workplace injury statistics for Ontario, it is difficult to argue with the overall effectiveness of such a campaign. From 2004 to 2011, incidences of workplace injury in Ontario fell by 30%, with the number of inspections, stop work orders, convictions and fines reaching a peak in 2007 and 2008. To complement their enforcement campaign, the Ministry of Labor has also emphasized education and awareness. To assist small business owners (those with 50 employees or less), the Ministry of Labor recently created an initiative to combat the unique challenges faced by small business owners – namely, a lack of time, resources and/or staff to address the myriad of municipal, provincial and federal legislative requirements placed upon them. Included in this initiative is the development of a single online portal that simplifies access to health and safety standard resources and an outreach program centered on a series of educational events and conferences.

For advice or consultation on forklift or lift truck safety and maintenance or MOL/OSHA lift truck inspections, contact Lucas Lift Truck Services Ltd. at 905-227-3291 or visit our website today! For more information and resources on how to prepare your business or workplace for the up-coming inspection blitz, the Ontario Ministry of Labor has developed a dedicated webpage that includes relevant articles, industry-specific safety guidelines, self-assessment forms, contact information for consulting services, and a list of paid educational/training programs. These and other resources can all be accessed through the following link: http://www.wsps.ca/Information-Resources/Topics/Machines,-Tools-Equipment.aspx

Additional links:

Employee OHSA Knowledge Checklist

Employer OHSA Knowledge Checklist

OHSA Guide to Basic Awareness Training

OHSA Fact Sheet

Be Prepared with a Dealer who Stocks Forklift Parts

Forklifts, regardless of the brand, all feature similar parts. Wear-and-tear issues, carelessness, and the lack of a preventative maintenance program can all contribute to the replacement of these components. Sometimes, forklift manufacturers will provide all the forklift spare parts you need. Every manufacturer will have a list of recommended spare parts for all of their products. These lists offer parts which receive the most wear over time, have historically been abused by the operator, or require occasional maintenance. 

Having these additional spare parts in stock will assist in keeping your forklifts functional at all times. The less down-time in any facility, the more efficiently it will run. 

Lucas Liftruck in the Niagara region is prepared for the rigors of the industry - including a well-stocked recommended spare parts inventory.