Warehouse managers, material-handling teams, and maintenance technicians: this practical guide distills the most common forklift problems and solutions so you can diagnose issues quickly, repair safely, and keep operations moving. You’ll find clear steps for first-line troubleshooting, plus prevention tips to stop repeat failures.
We take a safety-first stance throughout. In line with OSHA expectations for powered industrial trucks, you’ll see guidance that prioritizes pre-use checks, operator training, and lockout/tagout where appropriate.
“Forklift problems and solutions” refers to common issues—starting faults, mast/hydraulics, steering, brakes, tires, leaks—and the step-by-step fixes and preventive maintenance that reduce downtime and improve safety. |
Quick Diagnostic Table — Symptoms, Causes, and Solutions
Use this quick forklift problems and solutions table to match symptoms with likely causes and safe, practical fixes before you escalate to a technician.
| Symptom | Likely Causes | Fast, Safe Solutions |
|---|---|---|
| Won’t start (no crank/no click) | Dead/disconnected battery; corroded terminals; blown main fuse; seat/parking-brake interlock not engaged; emergency stop engaged | Verify seat/park interlocks; reset E-stop; test battery voltage and clean terminals; check/replace fuse; try known-good battery/charger; log fault before return to service |
| Turns over / no start | Empty/stale fuel; clogged fuel filter/air filter; faulty spark plugs; fuel line air leak; injector faults; security/immobilizer not satisfied | Add fresh fuel; replace fuel/air filters; test spark; inspect fuel lines for cracks; for EFI, check injector pulse; verify key/immobilizer sequence; escalate if still no ignition |
| Stalling under load / erratic idle | Dirty throttle body; restricted air intake; fuel starvation; alternator under-charging; injector misfire | Clean throttle/air path; replace filters; fuel pressure test; load-test battery and alternator output; run injector cleaner/diagnostics; retrain operators to avoid lugging |
| Smoke/steam visible | Coolant leak onto hot surfaces; over-full oil burning; head-gasket failure; radiator blocked | Stop use, allow to cool; check coolant level and leaks; clean radiator fins; verify oil level/grade; pressure test cooling system; escalate if white smoke persists |
| Overheating | Low coolant; inoperative fan; clogged radiator/condenser; stuck thermostat; pump/belt issue | Park and cool; top off correct coolant mix; clean fins; test fan operation; replace thermostat if temps oscillate; inspect belts/pump; add overheating check to PM route |
| Mast jerky / chattering | Air in hydraulics; low/contaminated oil; leaking cylinder seals; worn chain/rollers | Park and chock; check hydraulic level/condition; bleed system if specified by OEM; inspect/replace seals; set chain tension and lube; record pressures for trend |
| Slow lift / no lift | Clogged hydraulic filter/strainer; weak hydraulic pump; pressure relief mis-set; electrical command fault | Verify battery/voltage; inspect/replace filters; test system pressure vs. spec; check relief valve; if electric control, continue to “Mast electrical” row |
| Steering pull / noise | Low steering fluid; worn tie-rod/kingpin/bushings; tire mismatch/low PSI; axle/suspension wear | Top up steering fluid; set tire pressures and match pairs; inspect linkages and bushings; align/repair as needed; remove from service if excessive play |
| Brake fade / soft pedal | Low fluid; air in lines; worn pads/shoes; leaking cylinder; overheated brakes from riding pedal | Inspect for leaks; top up and bleed system; replace worn components; retrain operators on braking habits; pull from service for loss of braking |
| Tire bulges / uneven wear | Sidewall damage; chronic under-inflation; overloading; misalignment; suspension wear | Remove unit from service immediately for bulges; replace tires at wear line; correct pressures; check alignment/suspension; review loading practices |
| Fluid leaks under truck | Hydraulic hose O-rings/crimps; cooling hoses; transmission output seals | Identify fluid type; clean and re-check; replace damaged hoses/seals; torque to spec; log leak source and verify fix after warm-up run |
| Hose cracking / dry rot | Heat/age/UV; incompatible fluids; missed replacement interval | Replace with OEM-spec hose; add hose age to PM; fit guards/loom where rubbing occurs; verify no kinks on install |
| Mast electrical faults (esp. common on Toyota) | Broken wires, chafed loom, faulty limit/seat/tilt switches, low battery voltage inhibiting solenoids | Visually trace harness along mast carriage; continuity test suspect wires; test switches and coil resistance; confirm battery SOC; only then suspect pump or valve body |
Run a daily/weekly check using our Forklift Maintenance Checklist.
Electric Forklift Troubleshooting
Use this section to quickly diagnose electric forklift issues, with clear checks and safety-first steps before escalation.
Battery & Charging Basics
- Charge cycles: Keep batteries within a healthy state of charge (avoid deep discharges); schedule full charges during off-shifts and opportunity-charge only if the OEM allows it to prevent accelerated wear.
- Terminal corrosion & cabling: Inspect posts, lugs, and cables for corrosion, looseness, heat-discoloration, and frayed insulation; clean and tighten to spec, and replace any overheated connectors or pitted contacts.
- Connector health: Check charger truck-side connectors for bent pins, worn housings, and poor latch fit; never “hot-plug” under load.
- Charger verification: Confirm the charger profile matches the battery chemistry (lead-acid vs. Li-ion) and capacity; verify fans kick on and that error LEDs/codes are clear before use.
- Visual/smell cues: Stop and escalate if you see swelling, leaking electrolyte, melting plastics, or smell strong “rotten egg” (lead-acid off-gassing) or burning.
- Safety first: Park, key-off, apply parking brake, and follow lockout/tagout when working around batteries; use appropriate PPE and ventilation.
BMS/Controller Fault Patterns
- Contactor “clicks” with no drive: A contactor may be engaging but the controller is inhibiting motion due to an interlock not satisfied (seat switch, seatbelt, neutral start, parking brake, direction selector not in range). Verify each input in the correct order.
- No click / no enable: Check battery state of charge and main fuse; confirm the key switch, E-stop, and inching pedal/creep functions aren’t holding an inhibit signal.
- Code present on display: Note the BMS/controller code, power-cycle per OEM instructions, and re-test. If the code repeats, capture it in the work order and escalate to a qualified technician.
- Hall/position sensor noise: If lift/traction is intermittent, gently wiggle harness runs at the mast/steer axle and watch for repeatable cutouts—common points include chafed wires and fatigued connectors.
- When to escalate: Any repeated BMS faults, contactor arcing, overheated cabling, unknown codes, or loss of lift/traction after basic interlock checks should be taken out of service and routed to a qualified tech with the model-specific service manual.
Cold-Weather Practices
- Storage & pre-heat: Store trucks and batteries in temperature-controlled areas when possible; pre-condition batteries per OEM guidance before the first shift to avoid voltage sag and nuisance BMS trips.
- Charging location: Position chargers away from exterior doors and drafts; cold air reduces charge acceptance and can trigger charger/BMS faults.
- Cable care: Cold makes jackets brittle—avoid tight bends, ice buildup, and yanking frozen cables; inspect for cracks daily.
- Operational tips: Expect reduced runtime; plan shorter intervals between opportunity charges and rotate equipment accordingly.
- Preventive link-up: Tie cold-weather checks into your existing PM route (electrical inspections, connectors, harness chafe points, charger function tests) so issues are caught before shifts ramp up.
Forklift Mast Problems
Read below to quickly diagnose and fix forklift mast problems before they turn into safety risks and downtime.
Hydraulic Issues
- Leaking cylinders & worn seals: Look for oil at the rod gland or running down the cylinder; check for rod scoring and pitting that will destroy new seals. Replace seal kits if leakage exceeds OEM limits; polish or replace damaged rods.
- Contaminated/old oil & clogged filters: Jerky or slow lift often traces to dirty hydraulic oil. Verify level and condition (milky = aeration/water; dark/metallic = wear). Replace return filter and any suction strainer; flush if contamination is severe.
- Air in system (spongy/jerky motion): After repairs, bleed per OEM procedure (cycle lift/tilt fully with no load, top up fluid). Ensure suction side fittings are tight to prevent air ingestion.
- Chain tension & carriage rollers: Measure lift chain stretch and equalize tension across both sides; lubricate to spec. Inspect carriage/inner mast rollers for flat spots or roughness; replace if out of tolerance.
- Drift tests: With a rated load raised, time the drift rate; if drift exceeds spec, inspect lift cylinder check valves and seals.
- Safety note: Chock wheels, lower forks to floor when possible, use load stands/mechanical props before working between mast channels, and follow lockout/tagout.
Electrical & Controls
- Broken wires & chafed looms: The cable chains and moving mast sections are common failure points. Perform a wiggle test while monitoring lift/tilt to reproduce intermittent faults; repair/replace damaged conductors and add abrasion protection.
- Faulty limit/position switches & sensors: Check continuity and actuation of lift height, tilt, and interlock switches; verify connectors are seated and free of corrosion. Replace suspect switches; recalibrate sensors if required.
- Interlocks not satisfied: Lift/tilt may be inhibited by seat switch, seatbelt, parking brake, neutral start, or overload protection. Verify each input in sequence via the truck’s diagnostic screen or a multimeter.
- Solenoids & coils: Measure coil resistance against spec and check for magnetism when energized; confirm you have battery voltage at the valve coil under command. If electrical checks pass, move to hydraulic pressure tests before condemning the pump.
- Documentation: Record fault codes, test results, and the harness segment repaired so repeat failures can be traced.
Pump & Flow
- Low flow / cavitation: Symptoms include whine, foaming oil, and slow/no lift. Check hydraulic oil level, suction hose integrity, and that the suction strainer isn’t blocked; ensure the correct oil viscosity for ambient temperature.
- Relief valve & pressure checks: Install a pressure gauge on the lift circuit and compare to spec. If pressure is low, verify the main relief valve setting and condition before replacing the pump.
- Filter restriction: Inspect filter indicators; a restricted return filter or suction strainer starves the pump and accelerates wear—replace and re-test.
- Pump condition: If cavitation persists with a clean, leak-free suction path and correct oil, the pump may be worn (excessive internal leakage). Verify with flow testing at given RPM and temperature; replace if below spec.
- Listen & localize: A constant hissing near the control valve may indicate the relief is opening (over-pressure or misadjustment) or air ingress; trace with a mechanic’s stethoscope.
- Escalate/remove from service: Any structural mast damage, uncontrolled descent, severe leakage, or inability to hold a load requires immediate lockout and qualified technician repair.
Starting Issues
Battery Issues
Forklift starting issues are frequently simple to fix. The actions you choose will be influenced by the forklift’s power source. To diagnose an electric forklift, take the following actions:
The battery is probably the problem if you crank the ignition and hear a simple clicking sound instead of an engine sound.
First, confirm that:
- Your battery is charged and properly connected.
- Verify your battery’s level of charging: How recently was the battery charged?
- Temperature: If it’s too chilly outside, your battery might not be functioning. A forklift battery can struggle to start in subzero temperatures, just like a vehicle.
- Verify all auxiliary features: Check the functionality of your lights, brakes, and other systems. If they are not working you might need to completely recharge your battery. If you have a battery that has recently been recharged, and still not working, it is time to replace it.
Other Starting Issues
Starting problems could be more complicated if your forklift runs on internal combustion. Follow these troubleshooting instructions:
- Establish the fuel’s age: How long has the fuel been in your tank? If the fuel is old, this may be a good indication of why your forklift is difficult to start.
- Check the level of your oil: Some forklift models won’t open the fuel valve until there is a specified volume of oil in the tank.
- Detect fuel leaks: There may be a leak if the gas smell is extremely powerful.
- Examine the battery: If none of the above solutions work to fix your issue, check to verify if your battery is fully charged.
- Verify the coolant: Check the level of your coolant to see if your battery has an adequate charge. Forklifts can occasionally fail to start because of overheating, which is caused by a blocked radiator or a shortage of coolant. Clean the radiator or add more if necessary.
- Weighted seats: A common safety feature on forklifts prevents them from starting unless there is weight in the seat. Before attempting to start the forklift, make sure you are seated securely and completely in the seat.
Engine Not Starting, But Makes a Sound
If the engine turns over but won’t start, before ruling out that it is the battery, check to see if the battery is low and not able to supply the ignition system properly.
Are there any warning lights on? Does the dashboard illuminate normally? If so, your battery or electrics are most likely unrelated to the issue.
If the battery is functioning, there may be a variety of other problems that an engineer needs to investigate.
Some of these issues may be:
Spark Plugs
Spark plugs are a typical cause of forklifts that turn over but won’t start. You can assess the spark’s intensity if you have a spark tester. The plug might need to be changed if the spark is feeble and yellow. A strong, blue spark is an excellent spark.
The condenser, rotor, and coil wires are further ignition system components that need to be examined. Any of these components that have corroded or been damaged require replacement. Even if they are not the main source of the problem, performing this maintenance is wise.
Fuel System
If your ignition system is operating properly, a fuel system issue may be present. Some of the parts that you might want to look at are the fuel filter, lock-off valve, fuel regulator, and tank connector (LPG).
Elimination is the first step in troubleshooting a forklift that turns over but won’t start. If you have a mechanic on-site, they might be able to identify the problematic part (or parts) with simple visual inspections and testing.
Emergency Power Off (Kill Switch)
There is an emergency stop button on forklifts. Before the forklift will start again, this must be deactivated if it was activated the previous time the forklift was in operation.
Prevention tip: Use our Forklift Maintenance Checklist to catch battery, fuel, and interlock issues before shifts begin.
Steering Issues
Forklifts can be difficult to drive, especially in confined spaces. It’s important to ensure that your steering is working properly because steering issues might result in accidents that injure operators or others nearby.
It can be challenging to spot a steering problem at times. A few things to look for are:
- Hearing strange noises when turning the wheel, particularly if this occurs when the forklift is loaded. This can indicate that the steering system is rusting out or that there is a problem with the hydraulics that regulate steering pressure.
- Low steering fluid levels. If adding more liquid doesn’t resolve the issue then you need to continue investigating other possibilities.
- Check the steering fluid consistency; if it is thick and gooey, you should completely replace the fluid.
- Unbalanced tires can cause a bent axle as well as general instability and excessively worn tires put extra strain on your forklift’s transmission, which can cause a breakdown and/or shorten the life of the forklift.
- Pressure valves that are rusted, loose, or worn out should be left for a qualified forklift repair specialist.
- Rusted out gears or worn-out gears should be left for a qualified forklift repair specialist.
Brakes, Tires & Suspension
Spot and prevent failures in the safety-critical wear items that most often trigger incidents and unplanned downtime.
Brake Fade & Habits
- Daily checks: Test pedal feel at start of shift; watch for a soft/spongy pedal, longer stopping distances, fluid on backing plates, or warning lamps.
- Common causes: Low fluid, air in lines, worn pads/shoes, leaking wheel/master cylinders, overheated drums/discs from riding the brake.
- Fix & prevent: Top up and bleed if air is present; replace worn components and leaking cylinders; verify parking brake adjustment.
- Operator retraining: Coach against riding the pedal, downhill coasting in gear, and overspeeding with loads; reinforce wider stopping margins and speed control in wet/icy areas.
- Documentation: Log findings, parts used, and repair sign-off in your CMMS so repeat issues trigger a proactive PM.
Tires
- Replace immediately if: You see bulges, exposed cord/steel, deep cuts/chunking, or the tread has reached the wear line; remove the truck from service until tires are replaced.
- Uneven wear = investigate: Feathering, cupping, or rapid shoulder wear often points to misalignment or suspension/steer-axle play—correct the root cause, not just the tire.
- Pressure & pairing: Maintain OEM pressures; always match tires in pairs on the same axle to avoid tracking and stability issues.
- Operational tips: Avoid curb strikes and spinning tires under load; specify the correct compound (cushion/solid/pneumatic, non-marking where required) for floor conditions and load profiles.
Suspension
- What to inspect: Steer/drive-axle bushings, kingpins, tie-rods, shocks/dampers, and mast/carriage rollers for excessive play, leaking seals, or impact damage.
- Load-response test: With a safe test load, listen/feel for clunks, wander, or bounce; any instability under load is grounds for immediate removal from service.
- Repair path: Replace worn bushings/kingpins, torque fasteners to spec, and align after suspension work; re-inspect tires afterwards to confirm wear has normalized.
- PM integration: Add suspension checks to scheduled services (post-impact inspections, quarterly under-carriage audits) so developing issues are caught before they become safety risks.
Leaks
Clamps, hoses, and o-rings are frequently used by forklifts in their cooling, drivetrain, and hydraulic systems, and are the most common source of forklift oil leaks.
Leaks are avoided with proactive forklift maintenance. Regularly check the wear on the hoses to determine where the leak is most likely to happen. Next, keep an eye out for any loose clamps and fittings before they cause an issue.
Hose Failures
Damaged or cracked hoses can keep a forklift off the job for an extended period of time and cost a lot of money, especially if the failure causes additional harm to the forklift.
Damaged hoses can be avoided with proactive forklift maintenance. Hoses that are weakening can be found and replaced before they fail, greatly reducing the likelihood of problems developing.
Preventing Forklift Accidents
Use this safety primer to cut incident risk by pairing smart operator training with preventive maintenance
- Load stability: Match load to rated capacity, center the weight, keep forks low and tilted slightly back when traveling, and avoid elevated turns or sudden mast movements.
- Speed control: Enforce site speed limits, slow for intersections/aisles/ramps, use horn and lights, and maintain safe stopping distance—especially on wet or uneven floors.
- Visibility & signaling: Drive in the direction of best visibility; use spotters for blind spots; ensure strobes, alarms, and mirrors are functional before each shift.
- Daily checks: Pre-shift inspections (brakes, steering, tires, mast chains, hydraulics, seatbelt, horn, lights) remove unsafe trucks from service before they create incidents.
- Operator training & refreshers: Certify to site conditions, attachments, and fuel type; run targeted refreshers after near-misses, route/layout changes, or equipment updates.
- PM = risk reduction: Scheduled maintenance catches leaks, hose cracks, brake wear, tire bulges, and mast chain stretch early; standardized checklists, torque specs, and sign-offs reduce human error and improve compliance documentation.
For a deeper dive into policies, checklists, and incident prevention tactics, see Preventing Forklift Accidents.
Forklift Maintenance Checklist
This four-tier forklift maintenance checklist standardizes daily-to-annual inspections, prevents repeat failures, and keeps trucks safe, compliant, and shift-ready.
Daily (pre-shift & post-shift)
- Brakes (pedal feel/stop distance), steering play/noise, seatbelt, horn, lights, beacons, alarms.
- Forks, carriage, mast chains/rollers (damage, cracks, loose pins), hydraulic lines/fittings (leaks).
- Tires (pressure/condition on pneumatics; cuts, chunking, bulges on solids); wheels/lugs visual check.
- Fluids & gauges: fuel/LPG, coolant, hydraulic oil level sight, battery SOC/voltage; check for warning lamps/codes.
- Attachments (fitment, locking pins, hoses/electrics), load backrest, data plate legibility.
- Housekeeping: clean debris from radiator/condenser, platform, and operator area; verify documentation & sign-off.
Weekly
- Clean radiator/condenser fins; verify fan operation.
- Inspect/clean battery terminals, cables, and truck/charger connectors; check charger for error lights.
- Check mast chain tension & lubrication; inspect carriage rollers for roughness/flat spots.
- Verify hydraulic oil level/condition; scan for seepage at cylinders/valves.
- Check parking brake hold on an incline; adjust as needed.
- Torque spot-check on wheel lugs (per OEM) and look for alignment/suspension play.
Monthly
- Inspect/replace service filters as scheduled (air; fuel on IC units; hydraulic return as applicable).
- Inspect brake fluid level, wheel/master cylinders, and lines; bleed if spongy.
- Steer axle & suspension: bushings, kingpins, tie-rods—measure play against spec.
- Hoses & looms: abrasion, cracking, heat damage; add guards where rubbing occurs.
- Electrical checks (electric trucks): contactor faces for pitting, coil resistance spot-checks, harness chafe at mast.
- Functional tests: lift/tilt speed, drift test under rated load, emergency stop, interlocks, and alarms.
Annual (or OEM major service interval)
- Full fluid service per OEM (hydraulic oil, coolant; IC: engine oil/filters, spark plugs, emissions checks).
- Detailed mast inspection: chain wear/elongation against OEM limits, carriage/inner mast roller replacement if out of tolerance.
- Pump/valve health check: pressure & flow vs. spec; relief valve verification.
- Frame & structure: forks (heel thickness, cracks), overhead guard, chassis welds; remove from service if defects found.
- Electrical system audit (electric/Li-ion): capacity test, BMS log review, charger output verification.
- Documentation: record all findings, parts, torque values, and technician sign-off in CMMS.
Get the full, editable checklist: Forklift Maintenance Checklist.
How a Maintenance Manager Uses CMMS to Eliminate Repeat Failures
Scenario: A truck is reported “slow to lift” on the afternoon shift. Here’s how a maintenance manager uses CMMS to turn one-off fixes into reliability gains:
- Request intake: Operator submits a mobile request with photos/video of the jerky mast.
- Auto-priority: Rules flag “lift impairment” as Priority 1 and route to the right technician based on skill/zone.
- Parts availability: CMMS checks min/max and shows hydraulic return filters in stock; if low, it auto-creates a replenishment PO.
- Assignment: The work order is dispatched to the tech with estimated labor, safety steps (LOTO, chock wheels), and target SLAs.
- Mobile checklist: Tech follows a structured mast diagnostic (pressure check, filter inspection, chain tension, wiring wiggle test) and records readings.
- E-sign & photos: Post-repair lift-speed test recorded; before/after photos and torque values captured; supervisor e-signs the job.
- Closeout: The CMMS enforces failure codes (“Filter restriction”) to standardize data and trigger follow-up PM if needed.
- Reporting & prevention: Dashboards trend repeat faults by asset, shift, and operator; if a pattern emerges (e.g., filters clogging early), the PM template updates (shorter interval, add suction strainer check) fleet-wide.
Why it works:
- Asset history centralizes diagnostics, repairs, and readings for each forklift.
- PM scheduling prevents drift—daily/weekly/monthly tasks fire automatically.
- Parts min/max stops downtime caused by stockouts and overstock carrying costs.
- Dashboards surface the few assets causing most interruptions, so you target the real drivers of downtime—not symptoms.
Outcome: fewer surprise breakdowns, safer trucks, and a measurable drop in lift-related delays, because every repair feeds your reliability program.
When to Call an Expert
Knowing the most common forklift issues and how to fix them will help you be more prepared in handling some of the most common situations. Remember, that the majority of repairs, including technical ones and part replacements, should still be left to trained professionals. To save money, you might be tempted to perform these repairs yourself, but doing so puts your employees and your equipment at risk. In fact, some of the most costly forklift repairs occur when nonprofessionals try to solve a problem but end up making it worse.
How To Avoid Common Forklift Problems
Owning forklift(s), your goal is to keep them running as long as possible, making sure you follow all of the regulations, and most important is keeping your operators and employees safe.
How do you meet all of these challenges and keep your business running? To meet these challenges, you need a comprehensive forklift maintenance plan to manage all of these tasks, easy to use, and doesn’t cost a bundle so that you can get back to running your business. That is where Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) software can help you manage all of these tasks and more. Some of the things our CMMS can provide to help automate and streamline processes include:
- Tracking all of your assets by keeping detailed information on your equipment from purchase through retirement.
- Setting up preventive maintenance schedules that are convenient for your business operations.
- Get automated notifications of maintenance tasks and schedules.
- Creating detailed checklists and attaching them to work orders.
- Keeping track of spare parts inventory and set levels so that you can get notifications when they meet defined thresholds.
- Prioritize work orders because of unexpected emergencies.
- Create checklists and attach them to work orders. Be prepared for OSHA, ASME, and CMAA inspections.
- Upload pictures, manuals, and schematics and have them available from anywhere.
- Manage resources more efficiently.
- Our signature capture feature gives you the assurance that repairs have been made and who made the repairs.
- Create and access hundreds of reports to meet your needs.
- Customized dashboards to see the health of your maintenance operations.
- CMMS is a centralized system that is accessible from anywhere.
The bottom line is that by using a maintenance management system software like CMMS you can keep ahead of these issues. You can manage and automate all of your maintenance tasks from a computer, smartphone, or mobile device, with our user-friendly and cost-effective CMMS software.
Please feel free to get in touch with one of our account executives if you have any questions or would like to have a live demo.
FAQ
What is the problem with forklifts?
The most common problems are starting faults, mast/hydraulic issues (slow or jerky lift), steering/brake wear, tire damage, and fluid leaks. Most stem from missed pre-shift checks or deferred maintenance—both of which increase downtime and risk.
What is the rule 3 for forklifts?
It typically refers to the 3-point contact rule: always maintain two hands and one foot—or two feet and one hand—on the truck when mounting or dismounting. This reduces slips, trips, and falls around the machine.
What is the most common forklift incident?
Tip-overs and struck-by incidents are the most frequent and severe, often linked to unstable loads, excessive speed, poor visibility, or turning with an elevated load. Proper training, speed control, and pre-shift inspections dramatically reduce these events.
Why is my forklift not lifting?
Likely causes include low/contaminated hydraulic oil, clogged filters/strainers, air in the system, leaking cylinder seals, weak or cavitating pump, or (on some models) an electrical interlock not satisfied. Start with fluid level/condition and filter checks, verify battery voltage and lift interlocks, then measure hydraulic pressure against spec before escalating.
