Forklift Start Failure and Troubleshooting Tips

The forklift is one of the most important pieces of equipment in any warehouse. If you suddenly have issues with your forklift not being able to start up, you may suffer a significant blow to your productivity, meaning it’s important for you to take the necessary steps to get that forklift up and running again as soon as possible.

Before you call out a professional to make some forklift repairs in Lafayette, LA, there are some troubleshooting steps you can take to attempt to get the machine running yourself. Here are a few examples of some of the most common reasons forklifts fail to start and what you can do to rectify those issues.

Problems with the fuel source

Is the forklift getting the fuel or power it needs to operate? For electric forklifts, you should consider when the battery was last charged, or whether there were any recent power outages or electrical surges that may have affected the charging process. If you’re running a forklift with an internal combustion engine, you should consider how long the fuel has sat in the tank, whether you’re smelling the fuel more than you might typically or if you’ve recently checked any of the other fluid levels inside the forklift, as there may not be sufficient oil.

Problems with the battery

The battery is obviously one of the most important elements of the forklift when it comes to getting it up and running. Problems with the battery could cause your forklift to go out of operation. Inspect the battery for any signs of corrosion near the connections. If readings from a VOM meter do not provide any information, try using some auxiliary lift features, such as the lights, horn or other parts not associated with the engine. If they work, the battery’s not the issue.

Safety issues

Most forklifts have built-in safety features that will prevent them from starting up if there are any potential safety issues. Emergency power-off switches will prevent the engine from starting up if they are switched off. Try to figure out what may have resulted in that power-off switch being flipped before you use the forklift.

Cold engine

A cold engine can result in difficulties getting the forklift started up, especially if the engine has been exposed to cold temperatures in an unheated area for a long period of time. If you let the forklift sit in a heated area for some time before you try starting it up again, this may resolve the issue.

Seat switches

In some cases, forklifts will require there to be a certain amount of weight in the operating seat before they power on. You may need to press yourself more firmly down into the seat when you start the engine. This is a safety feature that ensures the vehicle is not started up without someone behind the wheel to operate it.

For more information about the most common problems that prevent forklifts from starting up, contact George’s Lift Truck Service, LLC. We offer forklift repairs in Lafayette, LA and would be happy to take a look at your equipment!

Categorised in: Forklift Repair

This post was written by Writer