Forklift Leaks: What they Mean and How to Address Them

Forklift leaks are incredibly maddening, not so much because they necessitate repair but because it tend to be frustratingly difficult to diagnose. It is all too easy for a forklift operator to spend hefty sums of money to repair their forklift, without being completely certain that they have even addressed the root cause responsible for their leak. In this post, we review what forklift leaks might mean and how one might go about repairing leaks.

What to Do if Your Forklift Starts to Leak

What to do when encountering a leaking cylinder

A leaking cylinder tends to involve the cylinder spraying oil. There are a number of causes that may produce leaks. One of the most common causes for leaks is that the rod seal and wiper need to be fixed. To inspect the leak, you first want to tighten the nut and open the valve. Check for leaks, and if you find that leaks continue, you will likely need to change the cylinder. If you change the cylinder and the leak still continues, this means that you will probably have to change the hose or have it repaired. However, in the event that the seal is responsible for the leak, you may be able to remedy the leak simply by using a leak stop product. However, if you find that the seal has torn altogether or that you have a broken gasket, there is likely no cure.

Other factors to consider

If you find that your forklift is leaking, it is worth considering whether it is caused by the lift truck remaining out of use. Oftentimes when people first purchase a used forklift, they notice that the lift truck leaks and the leak disappears when it is used. It is always important to take every precaution and conduct a full inspection, but inactivity can lead to leaks. One good thing is that even if your cylinder is being repaired, you can cap the hoses and continue to use your lift truck even while the cylinder is in the shop.

How you can prevent leaks from occurring

Of course, it is also important to bear in mind that there are specific measures you should take to prevent leaks from occurring in the first place. Every year, you should clean out your hydraulic filters, and replace the fluid at that time. Make sure to flush out the lines and pump on a regular basis as well.

When you encounter a leak, you need to proceed with caution and take every measure to repair the cylinder. Use these tips to check for a leak and prevent a leak from emanating from your forklift.