Education With a Purpose: A Blog About Trade Schools
What Problems Can You Encounter When Working With Forklifts?
Irene Tucker
Forklifts are a great addition in any warehousing and retail facility. Without them, business owners would spend so much time and money to carry stuff manually around the premises. Business owners rely on forklift operators to run their operations efficiently.
Being a good forklift operator goes beyond the ability to drive the machine around with little to no assistance. You must be able to troubleshoot impending mechanical problems so that they are addressed in time. If you have just landed your first job, here are some common problems you might run into when working with forklifts:
Steering Problems
When operating a forklift, the steering is among the few parts that are continuously in use. This hastens the rate at which steering parts and lubricants wear off, demanding more attention for the operator to detect faults early enough. Most often, you are likely to run into low steering fluid considering that the steering fluid is always in use. Always check the level of the steering fluid before starting operations. Difficulty turning the steering wheel is a common indicator of low fluid level.
Starting Problems
A forklift that won't start is another problem you will encounter when using electric forklifts. If the machine has a rechargeable battery, check the voltage and ensure that it has enough power to start the machine. If not, connect it to a power supply and allow it to charge for the recommended number of hours before trying to start the machine again. If the forklift doesn't start, ask for a professional to come in and inspect other components that might have malfunctioned. Note that forklifts are exposed to extreme temperatures, dirt and other elements that can compromise the efficiency of some components such as the cooling system.
Mast or Lifting Problems
The mast is the lifting mechanism that enables the forklift to perform its basic function of lifting and lowering loads. Problems with the mast can happen in two ways. In the first instance, the mast may fail to lift the load completely. On the other hand, it can lift the load erroneously without proper command from you, leading to serious damage to goods and injuries.
Generally, leakages in the hydraulic system of the mast are a common cause of the machine's inability to lift or lower loads at maximum capacity. It is thus imperative to keep an eye on the hydraulic system and ensure that it is maintained according to the manufacturer's recommendations. A good driver takes good care of his or her machine!
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Hello and welcome to my blog. My name is Jenny, and I went to uni to study literature and philosophy when I was eighteen. I loved those topics and still do, but there was always a part of me that was not fulfilled in those classes. Ultimately, I decided to drop out, and I enrolled in trade school. I love working with my hands, and as an intuitive empath, I also love spending time with others. I studied the art of makeup design and hair, and now, I have a job that I love every day. At night, I go home and devour philosophy. I think there are a lot of myths about trade schools so I decided to start a blog to spread more facts.