4 Tips for Forklift Maintenance in Winter

As we approach the winter months, our checklists for forklift maintenance get longer, and we come to a point where checking the machines requires more than ensuring the forklift can operate well. To help you care for the forklift, here’s a list of four tips for forklift maintenance in winter.
Check and Replace Fluids
An essential tip in this section is ensuring that the engine coolant is at the proper levels to help prevent damage from cold weather. In addition, checking all levels of lubrication and fluids is essential when helping prevent any breaks in the engine.
To help with this, use antifreeze as protection. If the antifreeze is weak, the engine can freeze and become damaged. When using antifreeze, flush it out first, then add it in; that way, your forklift is ready for the winter months, and you can avoid damage.
Charge the Batteries
The lifespan of a forklift battery can shorten when exposed to cold weather. Also, the reason your forklift battery’s power supply is low is due to summer use. The battery will likely die if not recharged. So don’t wait until winter comes; charge your battery now. That way, you have enough power to get you through the cold days. Additionally, checking battery cords for cleanliness and charge can help the forklift last longer.
Prepare Your Tires
When maintaining your forklift tires, paying attention to the wheel’s air pressure when temperatures dissipate is essential. The air pressure is the key to ensuring the tires don’t go wrong when treading along ice and snow.
Additionally, to help move through ice and snow, the tires must be properly optimized. For better grip control, place chains onto the tires, as they help prevent slipping. Finally, if your local area gets tons of snow and ice every year, try changing out the tires for ones that are designed for trekking through snow and ice.
Inspect the Brakes
One of the essential tips for forklift maintenance in winter is inspecting the forklift’s breaks. In addition, any chance of facing harsh weather conditions requires you to use a braking system. When checking your brakes, ensure the system works properly and take care of issues that need fixing.
The best way to implement a maintenance checklist before winter consists of many things, and we have a shortened list of the main areas to look over. When looking over these areas, ensure that everything works correctly before working on the forklift this winter.