Is your fleet prepared for cold weather conditions in the coming season?
It is unfortunate that some of the worst weather conditions can strike and when companies are at their busiest. Whilst retail peaks are easier to predict and plan for, the weather is completely out of anybody’s control and can impact on operations with very little warning.
There is a number of things that you can do to mitigate the risk of the weather taking hold and to support their smooth operation through the winter months.
Pre-season checks
Why not let our engineering team carry out a Winter Health Check and Winter Tyre Survey?
You will have peace of mind that all of your equipment assessed by a specialist and is up to scratch and in the best condition it can be in to withstand the cold. The Winter Health Check will include:
- Check and adjust both brake and steering operation
- Measure chain and fork wear
- Check all fluid levels
- Lubricate all chains channels and grease points
- Check electric motors, control panel, traction battery
- Carry out safety functionality check to ensure safe operation
- Top up Anti-freeze levels
The Winter Tyre Survey ensured the condition and amount of wear on tyres will be safe to use in the winter and helps you to predict and plan for when changes may be necessary.
For more information or to book your Winter Health Check call the service department on 03301 23 98 23.
Daily checks
When the cold weather hits, it is more important than ever to ensure you carry out your daily checks on equipment before it is used.
Here are 10 pre-shift checks:
- Chains – Chain wear of 3% or more is illegal, so ensure that you comply with legal limits.
- Mast condition – Check your mast regularly to monitor wear in channels, mast rollers, carriage bearings, tilt pins, tilt brushes or mast anchor brushes.
- Forks – Fork heels must not exceed legal wear limit of 10%.
- Hand/foot brake – Test handbrake efficiently (particularly important if the forklift is used on sloped areas or ramps.)
- Tyres – If they’re excessively worn, the tyre rim can come off and result in structural damage.
- Lighting/horns – Through investigation, check lights, horn, reverse horn, seat switch (where fitted) and the emergency stop.
- Seat restraint – The condition and operation of the seat belt needs to be thoroughly monitored.
- Steering – Axles, steer joints and rams should all be checked for scores and leaks to ensure machine control is never compromised.
- Seat condition – Seat area should have nothing sticking out which could trip or injure the operator.
- Load/overhead guards – The lifesaving potential of overhead guards is scrutinised, checked for cracks or distortion.
Stock up on winter essentials
A variety of winter essentials such as snow throwers, gritters and scrapers for use in yards and loading bays are available from our online shop.
Check out our winter essentials products here.