There is a lot riding on your forks. While they seem like they are indestructible, like any other part on your machine they will wear out over time. If they break or malfunction while carrying a heavy load, not only can it lead to loss of product, but it can also cause damage to property or the forklift itself. It can also cause personal injury to the operator or nearby pedestrians.

It’s vital to inspect your forks regularly, especially if they are utilized on a daily basis. Regular use can cause forks to bend, crack or wear down. Forks can also be damaged by improper chain adjustments, accidents and overloading. Skipping these inspections can lead to future problems.

It’s time to replace your forks if:

1. You see gouges and cracks on the fork. These are clear signs that the forks have been weakened and are more likely to break. Cracks can be the result of normal wear and tear, or they can occur as part of an accident or collision in the warehouse. Regardless of the cause, if the forks are cracked, they should be replaced immediately.

2. The forks are thinning. Even though forks are made for heavy usage, over time, they will begin to wear down. The most common type of wear is thinning. A good rule of thumb is replace any fork that is worn down to 90% or less of their original thickness. A 10% reduction in thickness might not seem like a lot but it can reduce the load capacity by 20%.

3. You notice a height difference. Ideally, the forks will be perfectly even. Over time, however, forks can become bent so that they are no longer even with each other. When the height difference between the forks exceeds 3% of the length of the blade, the forks will need to be replaced.

4. Forks become bent or the blade angle changes. Forks gradually bend away from their originally strait position. Any bending that exceeds .5 percent of the length of the blade means it’s time to replace. Also, the angle of the blade should ideally be at 90 degrees. A slight deviation is acceptable; however, if the angle is 3 degrees or more off in either direction, it’s time to replace.

While only a single fork might show signs of excessive wear or damage, it is not safe to replace only one fork. It is highly recommended forks be replaced in pairs to ensure equal performance. TVH has your planned maintenance needs covered with fork calipers, stress detection kits, and an extensive selection of quality replacement forks to fit any make and model. 

If you need to replace your forks, contact your sales representative today!