Forklift operators are NEVER lazy about maintaining and looking after their machines. They do all their checks and respond quickly to any possible safety or operational issues. They keep track of any possible problems with their forklifts, and if they find problems, they get them fixed, fast.
If operators make any mistakes with forklift batteries, you can be sure that they’re honest mistakes. Highly trained and qualified forklift operators care about their work and their machines; if things go wrong, it won’t be their idea.
However, mistakes are inevitable. With modern forklift batteries and chargers, there’s a real learning curve in operational skills so we’re exploring the potential reasons for human error in forklift battery faults.
The four mistakes can be basic or very complex, including:
Proper charging of modern forklift batteries is essential. These very powerful batteries need to be charged according to specifications. Operators need to monitor charging and deal with things like water and electrolyte solution levels.
If you’re thinking that list of things to concentrate on while charging means that there are more possibilities for mistakes, you’re quite right. One of the reasons modern battery chargers come with so many protective features is precisely because of these added risks.
Less excusable is the common issue of battery maintenance. Not maintaining your battery is like asking for an excuse to throw your hard-earned money out the window.
If maintenance hasn’t been done in the last year, your battery is likely to have developed at least a few minor issues. If those issues are allowed to get worse, you’ve got extra costs to deal with, perhaps major costs.
Not exactly normal practice in the no-nonsense world of forklift operations, but lack of basic skills happens often enough. If an inexperienced or partially-trained person is working on a battery, you can expect problems. Even the most experienced of workers will inevitably make some mistakes.
Mistakes may include improper maintenance, charging issues and even serious safety problems with managing top-ups for electrolytes and watering. The quick fix is to make sure operators are supervised at all times during battery work. Fixing the problems that arise may require specialist services.
Older batteries need extra care because they have a range of possible issues that vary in how commonly they occur. Problems may include stiff cables, for example, indicating old cabling which may be unsafe or underperforming. Corrosion is likely in this case. The smell of hydrogen sulphide tells you a battery has failed, but it should also tell you that you need help to deal with the situation.
The bottom line: The way to avoid mistakes is to call in the experts for regular maintenance. If there are big problems, your operators can’t fix them in-house, anyway. Your workers can learn how to avoid mistakes from the experts, an invaluable resource for your business.
Ceil Power Systems is your instant solution for forklift battery problems in Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales. Call 1300 877 531 or contact us online and we’ll help you with any problems. You can schedule regular maintenance services with us, too, to keep your batteries in great shape.