How can you maintain and inspect material handling equipment?

1 MHE maintenance basics

MHE maintenance involves performing regular checks, repairs, and replacements of the components and systems of your MHE. The frequency and type of maintenance depend on the MHE category, usage, and manufacturer's recommendations. For example, forklifts require daily inspections, periodic services, and annual examinations. MHE maintenance can be preventive, corrective, or predictive. Preventive maintenance aims to prevent breakdowns and extend the lifespan of your MHE. Corrective maintenance fixes problems that have already occurred. Predictive maintenance uses data and sensors to monitor the performance and condition of your MHE and anticipate failures.

2 MHE inspection checklist

MHE inspection is an essential part of MHE maintenance, which involves verifying that your MHE meets the safety and operational standards and identifying any defects or malfunctions. You should conduct MHE inspections before, during, and after each use, as well as periodically by a qualified person. A typical MHE inspection checklist includes visual inspection to check for any visible damage, wear, or leakage on the MHE body, parts, and attachments; functional inspection to test the MHE functions; battery inspection to check the battery level, voltage, connections, and electrolyte level; tire inspection to check the tire pressure, tread, and condition; fluid inspection to check the oil, fuel, coolant, and hydraulic fluid levels and quality; load inspection to check the load capacity, weight, distribution, and stability of the MHE; and documentation inspection to check the MHE identification, registration, certification, and maintenance records.

3 MHE maintenance best practices

To ensure effective and efficient MHE maintenance, you should follow some best practices, such as adhering to the manufacturer's guidelines and instructions for maintenance and inspection, using the right tools and equipment, training staff on how to perform these activities safely and correctly, keeping a log of all activities and results, reporting any issues or incidents promptly and taking corrective actions, as well as regularly reviewing and updating policies and procedures.

4 MHE maintenance benefits

MHE maintenance is essential for your manufacturing operations, as it can improve the safety and health of your workers and customers, enhance the performance and productivity of your MHE, reduce costs and downtime, extend the lifespan and value of your MHE, and ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. Furthermore, it can reduce the risk of accidents, injuries, breakdowns, repairs, replacements, and hazards.

5 MHE maintenance challenges

MHE maintenance can be a challenge for your manufacturing operations, such as finding the time and resources to perform it regularly and thoroughly. You will also need to manage the inventory and supply of MHE parts and consumables, as well as take into account environmental and operational factors like weather, temperature, humidity, dust, and noise. Additionally, you must stay up to date with technological and market changes that impact MHE maintenance and inspection, such as new features, models, and regulations. Lastly, you need to measure and evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of MHE maintenance and inspection.