Key Reasons For An Overheating Forklift Truck
Running a material handling business is a burdensome task – not just do you have to keep an eye on the product, the sale, and the staff, you even are required to make sure your fleet for a forklift rental in New Jersey is operating at its best capacity. Overheating and malfunctioning of forklift trucks can skyrocket the cost of operations and have the need for pricey repairs. So what do you do if you have followed the entire suggestions for forklift maintenance and they are still overheating?
The following are the three most common areas that may be the cause of the forklift running hot frequently:
- Maintenance
The 1st area to check is even the simplest to fix: are routine maintenance tasks being completed correctly? Issues such as low coolant levels or worn hoses can contribute to the overheating of a forklift truck. If the on-site tech stretches parts past their optimal use such as clogged filters, your forklift trucks could be choking on thick, dusty air. Damaged radiators or worn fans can even contribute to high running temperatures in material handling equipment.
- Environment
The same recommendation for employees in high temperatures applies to the forklift trucks – provide them with repeated breaks and make certain their fluids are topped off.
Is your work yard paved or on packed dirt? Too much rough terrain, debris, and dust can put extra demands on the forklifts and cause unexpected maintenance issues. If this is a recurring summer issue then the outside temperatures can even be held responsible. A similar suggestion for the staff in extreme temperatures applies to the forklift trucks – offer them regular breaks and ensure that their level of fluid is always topped off.
However, if the forklift trucks are overheating indoors then you will wish to survey the work area to stumble on concerns. Is the floor dirty or dusty? Are pieces of pallet wrap, paper, or other debris being left on the ground where they can clog filters? After you come across such concerns then you can optimize the work areas in order to keep away from damage.
- Operation
If it is not environmental or maintenance concerns leading to overheating problems, then you are required to check on the ways the forklift truck is being operated at the workplace. If the forklift truck is being overloaded, beyond the prescribed load capacity, this can most likely result in overheating and create unnecessary risks for product damage and mishaps. Are you driving forklift trucks at top speeds all the time? This can even contribute to high heats.
A lot of IC forklift trucks come equipped with an inching pedal to use when maneuvering the forklift while raising the mast to retrieve loads. If you are "riding" this pedal while driving it can lead to a lot of issues, as it slightly applies the brakes. The inching pedal is supposed to just be used when retrieving loads. After you have identified the cause of the issue and put a fix in place, as to why it arose in the first place. This will help keep your fleet for a forklift rental in New Jersey in top-notch condition!