Forklifts are essential tools for many businesses, enabling the movement of heavy loads with ease. To ensure the safety of your workers and the productivity of your operation, regular maintenance and repairs of your forklift are vital. However, knowing which parts of the forklift require the most frequent attention can be tricky.

As a leading provider of forklift maintenance and repair services, BCCM has the experience and expertise to help you maintain the most crucial parts of your forklift. In this article, we’ll discuss the parts of your forklift that require the most frequent attention. It’s important to keep an eye on these parts of your forklifts but it’s also important to remember that these parts will eventually need to be repaired or replaced somewhere down the road. We can help you on that aspect, our expert technicians can easily help you repair your most important parts of your forklift so you can keep your business running smoothly!

Transmission

The transmission of a forklift is responsible for transferring power from the engine to the wheels. The transmission is responsible for converting the rotational energy produced by the engine into a driving force that propels the machine. It consists of a series of gears, shafts, and bearings that work together to provide torque to the wheels.It is one of the most critical parts of the machine, and issues with the transmission can cause significant downtime and lost productivity.

BCCM has extensive experience repairing forklift transmissions. The most common issues we encounter include worn gears, damaged bearings, and worn clutch plates. We also find that improper operation or inadequate maintenance can contribute to transmission failure.

Brakes

The brakes on a forklift are critical for safety, preventing accidents and injuries. Forklift brakes work by applying friction to the wheels or transmission to slow down or stop the forklift. When the operator steps on the brake pedal, a series of mechanical or hydraulic components work together to apply pressure to the brake drums or discs, causing the wheels to slow down and eventually stop. Worn brake pads, faulty brakes, or contaminated brake fluid can all lead to brake failure.

BCCM specializes in repairing forklift brakes, and we frequently encounter issues such as worn or damaged brake pads, damaged brake drums, and contaminated brake fluid. Our team recommends frequent inspections of the brakes, including replacing worn pads promptly and checking the brake fluid level and replacing it as necessary.

Hydraulic System

A forklift hydraulic system is a critical component of a forklift that enables the lifting and lowering of heavy loads. The hydraulic system uses hydraulic fluid, which is pressurized by a pump, to power the lifting mechanism of the forklift. Issues with the hydraulic system can result in reduced lifting capacity or failure to lift altogether.

The  most common issues we encounter with hydraulic systems  include damaged hoses, worn or damaged hydraulic cylinders, and low hydraulic fluid levels. We recommend checking hydraulic fluid levels regularly and replacing the fluid according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. It is also essential to inspect hydraulic hoses and fittings for wear or damage and replace them as needed.

Steering System

A forklift steering system is a critical component of a forklift that allows the operator to control the direction of the machine. Forklift steering systems can be either mechanical or hydraulic. Mechanical steering systems contain a series of gears and linkages that transfer the rotation to the steering wheel while hydraulic steering systems use hydraulic cylinders to apply force to turn the wheels of the forklift.  Smaller forklifts typically use mechanical steering systems while larger ones use hydraulic. 

We frequently encounter issues such as worn or damaged steering components, damaged steering cylinders, and inadequate lubrication. We recommend inspecting the steering system regularly, checking for wear or damage, and replacing any damaged components promptly.

Engine

A forklift engine is the power source that drives the machine’s hydraulic system, lifting mechanism, and other functions. Forklift engines can be powered by gasoline, diesel, or propane. The engine of your forklift is the heart of the machine. Any issues with the engine can cause significant downtime and lost productivity. Issues that are commonly encountered are worn or damaged spark plugs, damaged fuel injectors, and insufficient lubrication. We recommend conducting regular maintenance on the engine, including oil changes, fluid checks, and filter replacements. Our team also recommends diagnosing and repairing any issues with the engine promptly.

It’s essential to keep your at its best condition for the safety and productivity of your operation. It’s important to continually maintain your forklift over time but eventually parts will break down and the forklift will require a repair. That’s where we come in, we are experts in forklift repairs for all major brands of forklifts. Our technicians will fix your forklift so it can smoothly operate once again and will provide you with a temporary replacement until your forklift is proficiently repaired.  Don’t hesitate to reach out to BCCM for all your forklift repair and maintenance