It is that time of the year when winter forklift maintenance becomes something of utmost importance, and with the fact that the tires, the battery, the engine, and other parts of a forklift get affected in below-zero weathers taking caution is a must.
With the drop in temperature, you need to be extra careful with your machine, and now that it is cold, daily check-ups become mandatory. From pressure loss in tires to possible forklift breakdowns and decreased runtime, everything is affected by the cold, and the only way to prevent mishaps is through proper maintenance.
Here, you will find essential tips on how to take extra care of your forklift in the cold winter and how the machine parts are affected if they get overlooked.
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Winter Forklift Maintenance To-Dos
Nothing can be more alarming to a forklift’s performance than a sudden change of weather. And with the brutal temperature drop in Canada, winter forklift maintenance Mississauga becomes more vital than ever.
So, how can one prepare their lift truck to face the cold during winter? To keep your forklift’s performance up and prevent it from shutting down during the cold season, below are the tips that every forklift operator needs to apply.
Pre-Winter Preparations
Before the arrival of the cold season, you must do a thorough check-up of your forklift by scheduling an appointment with one of the best forklift repair Mississauga. An expert will check your machine for any clogs and cracks that cause more damage to the forklift during winter and help you repair or replace them.
Pre-winter check-ups, although simple, can do wonders for the machine’s performance and prevent its breakdowns in the harsh cold.
Wearing Appropriate Gears
The same with forklifts, lift truck drivers are also prone to the cold. So, before operating the machine, operators must ensure their personal safety by wearing safety equipment and cold-resistant outfits.
To prevent work hazards, an operator must wear,
- Safety goggles
- Steel-toe boots
- Visible clothes
- Insulated work gloves
- Safety helmet
- Hearing protection
Moreover, in winter, safety gear must also provide comfort and warmth to protect an operator from the cold. Here, the visibility of the outfit during the short days and the long, dark winter nights minimizes the possibility of life-threatening outcomes.
Greasing and Lubrication
Even using the best forklift brands like Caterpillar or Nissan can’t guarantee the lift truck’s smooth operation if we avoid applying grease to any moving parts of the machine. Therefore, make sure you lubricate,
- The forks
- The chain pulley
- The kingpins
- The chain slings
- The steering axles
- The slip yokes and U-joints
- The bushings
- The bearings
Applying grease will protect the machine from creaking and rusting.
Tire Maintenance
There is no doubt that during winter, tires become more brittle, and on top of that, if you fail to use the right type of tires on slippery roads, things can get messy. The most commonly used type of tires during winter is pneumatic tires, which come in two types,
- Air-filled
- Solid
Additionally, installing studs and chains on your tires will enhance your safety during winter. However, with each step also comes more safety cautions guaranteeing your forklift maintenance.
As an important part of the forklift exterior structure, tires also need proper care during the cold; therefore, to maintain them, follow these steps,
- Check your tires for misalignment and seek a 24-hour forklift repair Mississauga to help you with this task.
- Do not neglect the importance of tire pressure and contraction in winter by ensuring tire inflation.
- Pay attention to the tread depth of your tires and, if necessary, replace the treads before the weather changes. The ideal tread depth is 4/32 to 5/32 inch, and anything below these measures must be replaced.
- Have spare tires in your reach.
- Replace brittle tires and do routine check-ups to avoid missing the cracked parts.
- Prolong the tires’ lifespan by keeping them constantly free of snow. This step will protect the tires from corrosion and rust.
- Protect the tire rims from moisture by keeping your warehouse dry and at an appropriate temperature.
The better care you take of your forklift tires, the better results you will receive in winter. But if the tires are neglected, you will have more workload piling up over time.
Battery Maintenance
In low temperatures, batteries tend to die earlier than expected, machines shut down, forklifts show signs of weak performance, and you are left fending for a good forklift Mississauga troubleshooting guide. So, how is it possible to avoid forklift battery problems in winter?
Cold-weather forklift maintenance Mississauga is all about providing the right conditions for your lift truck, and batteries are no exception. To extend your forklift battery’s life in the cold,
- Keep the battery at full charge to prevent frozen electrolytes, quick discharges, and battery damage.
- Store the battery in a heated warehouse or garage for damage and freezing prevention.
- Check the battery water levels.
- Clean the battery terminals of any chemicals that can block the electrical flow.
- Maintain the battery’s warmth by adding insulation.
- Secure all the battery compartments.
If you lack experience in understanding your forklift parts, seek a professional’s advice and ask them to check your water levels, clean the battery, and charge it if necessary.
Read more:”Forklift Dimensions“
Oils and Fluids
Another important step in forklift winterization Mississauga is the changing of the oil and fluids and replacing them with more winter-appropriate counterparts. Before each shift, operators need to check the forklift oils and fluids and replace them if needed.
Caring for the forklift fluids during winter will prevent build-ups that lead to system inefficiencies. As for the oils, diesel is more susceptible to the cold and will take on a slimy texture if exposed to low temperatures. Therefore, consider daily check-ups to ensure forklift maintenance and performance in the freezing weather.
Controls
Forklift controls include brake pedals, accelerators, steering wheels, hydraulics, directional levers, and clutches, which can freeze up if exposed to the cold, and if not handled properly, they will end up getting damaged.
The recommended step for frozen controls is defrostation which is done by carefully warming up the forklift. A machine needs an average of 10 minutes to warm up before being put into operation mode.
Lights
Lights are a vital part of forklift Maintenance in Mississauga, specifically during the dark wintery days. Therefore, it is essential to check the lights for visibility and safety measurements. A great suggestion for forklift visibility during winter is LED lights, which not only last longer but are also more resistant to temperature drops.
Proper Clean-up
In snowy weather, forklifts require more cleaning up and moreso after each shift. With build-ups becoming a major problem in winter, always free your lift truck from dirt, snow, salt, and any other form of waste that could affect the forklift’s performance.
Forklift Storage
The number of forklifts that are left unused in the winter, especially if you run a forklift rental service and have several lift trucks in your warehouse, you must accommodate the storage space according to the weather conditions.
To transfer your storage space and make it winter-proof,
- Insulate the space
- Ensure ventilation and air-flow
- Monitor temperature changes
- Inspect the windows and doors for any gaps and cracks, and seal them
- Clear the areas that are exposed to snow build-up, like gutters, roofs, drainages, etc.
- Equip your space with an appropriate heating system.
Following a good storage plan will protect your machine from rust and corrosion, as well as malfunctions.
Conclusion
With forklift repair Mississauga costs and the winter season, the emphasis on winter forklift maintenance becomes bolder. And it becomes a custom to care for your forklift with the right steps after doing your pre-season check-up.
We, at Forklift Toronto, help our customers get the necessary repairs done to their machines after conducting a thorough inspection of the forklift. As a team, we ensure to assist you in fighting the cold and keeping your machine running.
Whether it’s your propane, scissor lift, or bobcat truck that needs repairs, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.