The leaves are turning, there’s that familiar nip in the air, and we’re knee deep in football season. All that means it’s sweater-weather, and it’s time to think about taking a good look at your forklift before it gets too cold.
Once Summer’s scorch subsides, start looking at your forklift and you can begin with our engine and cooling systems.
Cold weather can really damage your engine block, so anything you do now to prevent Winter’s bite can only help. If you don’t prep for cold weather you might dodge trouble, but then again- you might not, and that can get expensive.
Take a good hard look at your engine block in a gasoline-powered forklift. Change your oil and lubricants to cold-weather fluids and check your batteries in electric lifts.
Batteries weakened by extreme heat can fail in the Winter.
New hydraulic hoses can crack in cold weather- you can condition them by operating your forklift until your hydraulic oil reaches 150 degrees Fahrenheit and keep it running for an hour. To be safe, fill reservoirs with hydraulic oil specified for use in cold weather.
Store your forklift-related equipment and supplies inside during cold weather, and park your outside forklifts inside as well. This will keep your gear from being damaged in cold weather, and your forklift won’t get covered in snow once that starts to fall.
When it does get cold, run your forklift until it reaches operating temperature every time you start it. Make sure you cycle through all the movements and functions to warm up oils and other lubricants.
In a gasoline-operated forklift, fill the fuel tank at the end of every shift. This will prevent a potentially damaging frozen fuel tank.
For other cool and cold-weather operating tips, give our experts a call at (704) 842-3242 and we’ll get you ready for Winter’s chill.