Dirty Hydraulic Oil: The Silent Forklift Killer

There's a silent killer that's stalking your forklift. Maybe you've seen the signs. Has your steering locked up? Or has the mast dropped unexpectedly? Perhaps the lifting grows sluggish? Or maybe nothing seems wrong at all. That still doesn't mean you're safe. You might not notice anything amiss until your forklift turns up dead. When it does, there's only one culprit: A filthy hydraulic system. Read on to learn how a dirty hydraulic system is lethal for forklifts and what you can do to protect your fleet.

Your Forklift’s Silent Killer

Dirty hydraulic fluid is deadly to forklifts. When hydraulic maintenance isn't performed, dirt, metal shavings, and other particulates cycle throughout the system. This creates a massive problem for the precision parts that make up your forklift's hydraulics. It's like grinding dirt into the gears of a Swiss watch. The components get all gunked up and cease to function as they should.

Worse yet, your hydraulic systems might be falling apart on the inside, but you likely won't know it until the forklift breaks down entirely. Modern forklift hydraulic systems are remarkably resilient and will keep operating near normal capacity even as the hydraulic fluid starts darkening towards sludge. At most, you might notice some sluggish lifting and steering. However, in most cases, there won't be any warning before a forklift hydraulic failure. The whole process can be likened to the build-up of cholesterol in the body. Without checking regularly, you might not know there is a problem until your first heart attack. So ask yourself, when was the last time you checked your forklift's cholesterol?

How To Protect Your Fleet

The good news is hydraulic maintenance is easy to keep up with. Despite being frequently neglected, you just have to follow the manufacturer's maintenance guidelines, and you won't have a problem. Better still, these service intervals are not overly frequent. For example, Toyota advises doing your first maintenance at 250 service hours and every 1,000 hours thereafter. Your service technician can handle this for you during your planned maintenance.

Often, service is as straightforward as replacing the filter and changing out the fluid. Keeping the filter clean and debris-free is essential because it forms your system's first line of defense against the particulates that build up in the hydraulic fluid over time. The filter protects your hydraulic pump and other critical components from contamination and wear.

Avoid Expensive Hydraulic Repairs

There's another excellent reason to keep up with your hydraulic maintenance. Failing to adhere to the recommended service schedule isn't only damaging to your machine, it could also void your warranty. Then, if you do experience a hydraulic system failure, the parts won't be covered, leaving you with a very expensive repair bill.

Your Forklift Protection Partner

Protecting your fleet from forklift hydraulic failure is as simple as developing and sticking to a planned maintenance schedule. That’s where we can help. Our expert technicians come to your facility and perform all your forklift’s necessary maintenance on-site and on your schedule. Let us help you keep your forklifts going strong. Contact us online or visit one of our locations to learn more about how to protect your forklift’s hydraulic system.

Auburn 253-854-5438
Pasco 509-547-7413
Wenatchee 509-663-9009
Yakima 509-457-5137

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