Maintenance Section
-103-
12 Months Inspection
Forks should be inspected, at a minimum, every 12
months. If the truck is being used in a multi-shift or
heavy duty operation, they should be checked every six
months. See “Forks” in the “2000 Service Hours or
Yearly” in “Maintenance Intervals.”
Maintenance and Repair
1. Repair forks only in accordance with the
manufacturer’s recommendations.
Most repairs or modifications should be done only
by the original manufacturer of the forks or an
expert knowledgeable of the materials, design,
welding and heat treatment process.
2. The following repairs or modifications SHOULD
NOT be attempted.
z Flame cutting holes or cutouts in fork blades.
z Welding on brackets or new mounting hangers.
z Repairing cracks or other damage by welding.
z Bending or resetting.
3. The following repairs MAY be performed.
z Forks may be sanded or lightly ground, to remove
rust, corrosion or minor defects from the surfaces.
z Heel sections may be ground with a carbon stone
to remove minor surface cracks or defects. Polish
the inside radius of the heel section to increase the
fatigue life of the fork. Always grind or polish in the
direction of the blade and shank length.
z Repair or replace the positioning locks on hook type
forks.
z Repair or replace most fork retention devices used
with other fork types.
4. A fork should be load tested before being returned
to service on completion of repairs authorized and
done in accordance with the manufacturer’s
recommendations.
Most manufacturers and standards require the
repaired fork to be tested with a load 2.5 times the
specified capacity and at the load center marked on
the fork arm.
With the fork restrained in the same manner as its
mounting on the lift truck, apply the test load twice,
gradually and without shock. Maintain the test for 30
seconds each time.
Check the fork arm before and after the second
application of the test load. It shall not show any
permanent deformation.
Consult the fork manufacturer for further information as
may be applicable to the specific fork involved.
Testing is not required for repairs to the positioning lock
or the markings.
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