Tips to Maintaining your Forklift’s Forks

Forks are a key component in the day to day operation of forklifts as they lift and haul loads. They keep looking new even when they have experienced significant damage. Given the amount of stress, shock loadings, and strain they are subjected to, it is advisable to inspect and replace them on time when they are worn out or damaged to avoid damage to the load and forklift as well as injuries or even death. 

Fork replacement golden rule

Forks often do not wear out evenly, which often leads some to make the mistake of only replacing the one that is severely worn out or damaged. It is highly recommended that you replace both forks to make sure you get matching performance. Having two different forks in terms of strength and damage comes with some safely issues. If you are looking to replace your forklift’s forks, you can go for a brand new, used or salvage forklift parts that have been tested and come with some form of warranty. 

Fork inspection tips

Tips

Be on the lookout for a height difference between the forks. Inspect the tips with a calliper, and if the difference exceeds 3% of the length of the blade, the forks have to be repaired or replaced. Tips are located at the ends of the shafts and can be easily damaged when used to push loads onto the hooks. They can also get damaged when operators graze into building structures. Good maintenance of fork tips can increase their life span, bolster safety, and reduce maintenance costs.

Heels

Heels are the metal parts which form part of the supporting body on which the cargo sits during lifting and hauling. They should be inspected for cracks each time before use. During load lifting, the heels suffer fissures as the shaft stretches. This is because being they form right angles outside the shafts, thereby sustaining the load. If there are cracks on the heels, they will widen with every load and increase in size. You must constantly check the width of the heels as they come in contact with the floor, wearing them down. The rate of wear depends on the type of surface on which the forklift operates. The depth of the heel can be measured using fork calliper. 

Hooks

Secure fastening of the hooks to the shaft is important to avoid breaking of either hook when lifting cargo. Make sure forklift operators know the importance of doing this every day before they begin work. A forklift’s tires and prong chains should also be checked daily.

Talk to Absolute Lift Parts 

Absolute Lift Parts offers the best deals on used forklift parts, and salvage forklift parts and other OEM forklift parts at competitive prices. All salvage forklift parts are tested and repaired to make sure that they still have some life in them and give you value for your money. Get in touch with us for the best salvage forklift parts at 877-475-5438. You can also mail to sales@absoluteliftparts.com to get answers to all your questions on available forklift parts in Atlanta and the limited warranty available on salvage forklift parts.

Fun Fact Of The Day

Benefits Of Buying Used Forklifts Parts

Forklifts are huge commercial vehicles that carry heavy loads which is why it is important to perform forklift service on them regularly to ensure safety, efficiency, and longevity. General maintenance like replacing broken and worn out parts benefit your business through ways that are too numerous to mention. Whether you have one or a fleet of forklifts, always make sure that every forklift is inspected before operations and all issues reported and fixed as soon as they are spotted. To bring down your running costs, it’s advisable to consider going for used forklift parts. Whether you are buying new or used forklift parts, there are a number of considerations involved and you need to know what to look for. Here is a look at some of the benefits associated with buying used forklift parts for your forklift repairs and maintenance.   

First things first

Before you set out to buy used forklift parts, you must first know how to proceed. This ensures that you can enjoy the benefits associated with buying used. Some tips to consider when looking for forklifts spare parts;

• Check the serial number. Not all parts are compatible with your brand and model, so jot down the serial number as well as make and model so you know to pick the right used forklift parts.
  
  
• Buy your forklift parts from a professional and reputable supplier whether you are buying used or new forklifts parts. By dealing with a professional supplier such as Absolute Lift Parts, you can rest assured that the parts are properly refurbished and inspected by trained and experienced staff using the best technology. We also extend a limited warranty to make sure that you get value for your money as well as peace of mind and the knowledge of knowing the parts are of great quality and will serve you well.
  
• Keep delivery in mind - Finding a perfect part at the right price is one thing, but expensive freight charges and long delivery timelines can cancel all the possible benefits. Always have clear information about freight charges and delivery timelines to make sure that you never overshoot your budget or experience extended downtimes. 

 What are the benefits?

While some used forklift spare parts may not last you as long as new ones, there are many obvious benefits that you stand to enjoy by opting to buy used. The following are some of the benefits of buying used parts:

Reduced running costs

A professional mechanic is required to perform forklift truck repairs which covers things like inspection, diagnosis, and replacement of worn or damaged parts. The quote given by mechanics will include the cost of replacement parts.  If you wish for your repairs to be economical, you can buy used parts. This helps you avoid high running costs and get easy access to OEM parts.

Durability

When buying forklift parts, it is always important to make sure that they give you real value. You don’t need to buy parts that demand frequent replacement which will erode any cost savings made n the short-term and result in increased running costs. Absolute lift parts offers used forklift parts that are refurbished according to the highest standards and put through rigorous tests before being put up for sale.

Easy Availability

You must always have easy access to forklift parts to avoid extended downtimes caused by the unavailability of long delivery timelines. Opting for used forklift parts for sale assures you of easy access to the right parts. You will get the right parts for your forklift even if it is no longer being manufactured. Absolute lift parts keeps an exhaustive range of used forklift parts for sale for all the top makes and models. 

Lastly

Opting for used parts offers many benefits whether you own a small or large fleet of forklift trucks. It will save you a lot of money, give you easy access, and a host of other benefits. Absolute lift parts Atlanta has all the genuine used forklift parts you need to keep your material handling equipment in tip-top condition. Call us today to discuss your requirements with our team at 877-475-5438 or email us at sales@absoluteliftparts.com and we will take it from there.

Keeping The Greenspace Green. Please Recycle.

In our continued effort to save landfill space, we recycle about every scrap peice of metal we can find. In 2019 we recycled over 1.5 million pounds of metal from our facility in east point. Everytime we get a forklift in to our shop we remove all the salable parts from the unit and recycle the rest. We try to find every way we can to save landfill space.

Must-Know Forklift Parts and Functions

Forklift are monstrous pieces of equipment that feature thousands of parts and moving components. As a person working with forklifts in whatever capacity, it helps to be familiar with the names and functions of most of these parts, components and forklift accessories. To help, here is a list of some notable forklift parts that you ought to know.

Forklift parts

Forks

Forks deserve first mention as forklift trucks are named after them. They are the part of the forklift which is extended and has the appearance of arms. They are responsible for coming into contact with loads during hauling and stacking.

Mast

The mast is responsible for lifting and lowering of loads and come in different types which can hoist loads to different heights.

Counterweight

The counterweight, as the name suggests, acts to offset the weight of loads, effectively stopping the forklift from tilting forwards. It is installed at the back of the forklift truck. Knowing your forklifts lifting capacity and not going beyond that is a key to forklift safety.

Carriage

Doubling as support for the forklift, the carriage provides the connection between the forks and the mast.

Overhead guard

The cab’s frame is what is known as the overhead guard. It forms a protective shield for the forklift operator from large flying and falling objects. The grate design is often complemented with plastic or steel sheets.

Hydraulic lift cylinder

The hydraulic lift cylinder determines the extent to which the mast, carriage and forks can be raised or lowered.

Tilt cylinder

The extent to which the mast, carriage and forks can tilt backward or forward is regulated by a tilt cylinder.

The cab

The cab is the ‘cockpit’ of the forklift as it houses all the forklift controls and safety devices. That’s where you find the steering wheel, gauges, brake and gas pedals, and mast controls.

Forklift Tires

The forklift has drive tires located in the front and steer ones in the back. This configuration allows the forklift to maintaining its position in the front, where the load is located, when manoeuvring.

Buy OEM Forklift Parts

If you are looking for oem forklift accessories, forklifts parts, and equipment, Absolute Lift Parts is your trusted dealer. We carry used used oem forklift parts and salvage forklift parts for all the popular brands such as Toyota forklift, Nissan forklift, Hyster forklift, and Caterpillar forklift. Talk to us today to discuss your forklift equipment and parts requirement at 877-475-5438 or mail to sales@absoluteliftparts.com. You can also Send Us a Message.