Section 4 SummerWinds Forklift Training Manual

FORKLIFT SAFETY TRAINING • LESSON 4 • OPERATOR MAINTENANCE

Precautions are necessary, such as using LONG LIFE COOLANT or antifreeze in the cooling system, keeping the battery fully charged to avoid electrolyte freeze-up, making provisions for avoiding entry of water into the fuel, etc. AFTER THE DAY'S WORK Before placing the forklift in overnight storage , clean its exposed parts, and give the following servicing attention to the forklift: ‹ Check various water and oil containing parts for evidence of leaks. ‹ Inspect and, as necessary; clean the air cleaner element. ‹ Some grease lubricated parts may need re-lubrication. Using a grease gun, give a fresh charge of grease to such parts. (The forklift is still in warmed-up state - just right time for re-lubrication.) ‹ Operate the mast just for one cycle of full-stroke lifting motion, making the forks reach the highest level.This is for wetting the entire wall of the lift cylinder core with oil. You have concluded the Forklift Operators Training Manual – this may be referred to as needed for your training needs and preparations for the exams required for SummerWinds Certification .

‹ Keep the fan drive belt properly tensioned , so that the fan will run without any slipping, producing a full draft of cooling air through the radiator cores. ‹ Shutting down the engine in " overheated " condition is not advisable: instead of shutting it down, let it idle and wait for the coolant temperature to drop , with the engine hood kept wide open to allow air circulation around the engine. Stop

the engine when it has sufficiently cooled. Never add water to an overheated engine block unless the engine is running. Cool water can crack the engine block.

HYDRAULIC OIL LEVEL To obtain a true level reading, the forks must be brought down to the lower mast position. As in other oil level checks, use a piece of clean cloth to wipe the oil off the gauge rod. Never allow dirt or dust particles to enter the hydraulic, oil or transmission systems. FREEZING WEATHER PRECAUTIONS Cold weather is harder on the forklift than hot weather in many respects, especially in regard to fuel, engine starting and coolant.

Lesson 4 • Page 45