20+ Years Experience

Local Telehandler Hire

Telehandler Maintenance

Enquire Today For A Free No Obligation Quote

Proper telehandler maintenance can seem like a daunting task, but it’s crucial for ensuring the safety, performance, and longevity of your equipment.

By following a structured maintenance routine, you can keep your telehandler in top working condition and avoid costly repairs. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the essential maintenance tasks, safety measures, and preventive actions to help you get the most out of your investment.

Short Summary

Establishing a Routine Maintenance Schedule

Establishing a routine maintenance schedule for your telehandler is key to its optimal performance on construction sites.

By consistently monitoring fluid levels, lubricating the machine on daily basis, and maintaining the engine air filter, you can minimize the risk of malfunctions and expensive repairs.

To ensure the safety and efficiency of your telehandler, it is essential to conduct daily, weekly, and monthly checks as part of regular basis of your maintenance routine.

Daily Checks

Daily inspections are vital for telehandlers, especially on construction sites. They help to reduce repair costs and lost productivity by identifying potential issues before they become more serious. Before operating your telehandler, it’s crucial to carry out daily checks on all basic parts and functions, such as fluid levels, tires, and engine components.

Conducting these daily checks not only ensures the safe operation of your equipment, but also guarantees that your telehandler remains undamaged in the event of any malfunction. By incorporating these simple tasks into your daily routine, you can prevent costly downtime and keep your telehandler in optimal working condition.

Weekly Tasks

In addition to daily checks, it’s important to perform weekly tasks to maintain your telehandler. This includes inspecting tires and wheels for wear and damage, cleaning the machine to remove dirt and debris, and verifying fluid levels to ensure proper operation.

Regular maintenance, such as daily cleaning and greasing of trims or wear pads, also helps to prevent premature wear and potential replacement.

By dedicating time each week to these tasks, you can keep your telehandler in prime condition, ensuring its best performance on the job.

Monthly Procedures

Monthly maintenance procedures are an essential part of your telehandler maintenance routine. This includes changing the engine oil, cleaning the air filter, and inspecting for cracks or other signs of damage.

Additionally, it’s crucial to perform comprehensive maintenance checklist inspections and check the battery to ensure proper telehandler maintenance.

By committing to these monthly tasks, you can prevent unexpected breakdowns and costly repairs, ensuring the longevity and efficiency of your equipment.

Telehandler Engine Maintenance

Taking care of your telehandler’s engine is a crucial aspect of overall maintenance. Engine maintenance involves inspecting engine oil, air filters, and engine mounts to ensure peak performance and prevent expensive repairs.

Regularly inspecting these components can help you identify potential problems and address them before they escalate, ensuring the safety and efficiency of your telehandler on construction sites.

Engine Oil

Engine oil maintenance is essential for ensuring that your telehandler’s engine runs smoothly and efficiently, as well as avoiding expensive repairs and breakdowns.

To change the engine oil, for example, you’ll need to drain the old oil, replace the filter, and refill the engine with new oil.

Determining the engine oil level is a crucial aspect of engine maintenance. Using a dipstick to measure the oil level can help you identify potential problems, such as smoke coming from the engine, a burning odor, or decreased engine performance due to oil issues.

Regularly checking the oil level and addressing any concerns can help prevent costly damages and maintain the efficiency of your telehandler.

Air Filters

Maintaining air filters is essential to ensure the optimal performance and safety of your telehandler.

It’s recommended to clean or replace air filters every three months, or more frequently if necessary, depending on the working environment of the machine.

By adhering to the manufacturer’s instructions and regularly maintaining your air filters, you can prevent engine problems and ensure the efficient operation of your equipment.

Engine Mounts

Engine mounts are components that attach the engine to the frame of the telehandler, helping to reduce vibration and noise from the engine while ensuring secure mounting.

Regularly inspecting engine mounts for signs of wear and tear, such as cracks, tears, or other damage, can prevent costly repairs and ensure the overall safety of your telehandler.

It’s recommended to replace engine mounts every 5-7 years or when they exhibit signs of wear and tear to maintain optimal performance.

Hydraulic System Care

Proper care of your telehandler’s hydraulic system is crucial for its efficient operation. This includes checking hydraulic oil, auxiliary hoses, and attachments installed regularly to ensure that your equipment functions at its best.

By performing these checks and following the manufacturer’s recommendations, you can prevent potential failure and keep your telehandler running smoothly.

Hydraulic Oil

Periodically evaluating the hydraulic oil in your telehandler is essential for maintaining the efficiency of your equipment. Replacing filters and changing the hydraulic oil every 1,000 hours of operation can help prevent issues and ensure optimal performance.

It’s recommended to check the hydraulic fluid level at the start of each workday when the machine is fully folded and the fluid is cool. By regularly assessing and maintaining hydraulic oil checking fluid levels often, you can avoid costly repairs and downtime.

Auxiliary Hydraulic Hoses

Auxiliary hydraulic hose maintenance is essential for the proper functioning of your telehandler. Inspecting and cleaning the hoses regularly can help prevent kinks, sharp bends, and potential leaks.

Replacing auxiliary hydraulic hoses annually or bi-annually, as needed, can also ensure the safety and efficiency of your equipment.

By dedicating time to hydraulic hose maintenance, you can prevent costly repairs and keep your telehandler running smoothly.

Attachment Installed Checks

Regularly inspecting the attachments installed on your telehandler is crucial for optimal performance and safety.

Check for visible signs of wear, damage, or corrosion, and ensure that the attachment is securely attached to the telehandler with an appropriate locking device.

Evaluating wear pad condition, chain anchors/lock nuts, chain wear percentage, and fork deflection is also essential for maintaining the longevity and efficiency of your attachments.

By following the manufacturer’s instructions and performing regular attachment checks, you can prevent potential issues and ensure the safety of your equipment.

Safety Measures and Inspections

Safety measures and inspections are necessary for the proper functioning of your telehandler. Regular visual inspections, lift capacity checks, and service brake checks can help ensure the safety and performance of your equipment, especially on construction sites.

By adhering to these safety guidelines and performing regular inspections, you can operate safely, prevent accidents, costly repairs, and downtime.

Visual Inspection

A visual inspection is an essential part of telehandler maintenance and should be conducted prior to the start of each shift.

During the inspection, examine the machine for any signs of wear and tear, damage, or corrosion. Verify the presence and security of all components, including tires, engine parts, and hydraulic systems.

By regularly performing visual inspections, you can identify potential issues early on and address them before they escalate.

Lift Capacities

Checking lift capacities is an important aspect of telehandler safety. The telehandler should be inspected at least once every 12 months, and the transmission oil and filter should be replaced every 1,000 hours of operation.

Regular lift capacity checks can help ensure the safety and performance of your equipment, as well as identify potential issues that may require attention or repair.

Service Brake Checks

Regular service brake checks are essential for maintaining the safety and efficiency of your telehandler. Inspecting and maintaining the brake system can help ensure proper functioning of the service brakes and prevent accidents.

Schedule a regular brake inspection at least every 2,000 miles to maintain optimal performance and safety. By adhering to these guidelines, you can minimize the risk of brake-related issues and ensure the safe operation of your equipment.

Preventive Measures for Costly Repairs

Preventive measures, such as proper storage, lubrication, and following manufacturer’s recommendations, can help avoid expensive repairs and extend the life of your telehandler.

By adhering to these guidelines and performing regular maintenance and inspections, you can keep your equipment in top working condition and minimize the risk of costly downtime.

Proper Storage

Ensuring proper storage of your telehandler is crucial for maintaining its longevity and performance.

Conduct daily checks and perform regular maintenance to help prolong the machine’s lifespan, improve performance, and minimize overall maintenance costs.

If indoor storage is not feasible, cover the telehandler with a tarp and store it in an area that is clear of debris and not exposed to direct sunlight. Additionally, lock the parking brakes and top up any necessary fluids.

By taking these precautions, you can protect your investment and keep your telehandler in good condition.

Lubrication

Proper lubrication is essential for maintaining the performance and efficiency of your telehandler. Utilize clean lubricants, select the appropriate lubricant, and inspect grease points regularly to ensure proper lubrication of your equipment.

Conducting oil analysis and cleaning lubrication reservoirs can also help to prevent costly repairs and downtime. By following these guidelines, you can keep your telehandler running smoothly and extend its lifespan.

Manufacturer’s Recommendations

Following the manufacturer’s recommendations for maintenance and safety is crucial for the proper functioning of your telehandler.

Regularly review the manufacturer’s website for any modifications or additions to the maintenance requirements, and adhere to their instructions for tasks such as replacing transmission oil and filters, checking for safety bulletins, and changing filters and parts exposed to wear at regular intervals.

By following these recommendations, you can ensure the safety and efficiency of your equipment and avoid costly repairs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should a telehandler be serviced?

To ensure optimal performance and safety of your telehandler, it is recommended to have it serviced by a professional technician or operator at least once a year.

This will help detect any signs of wear and tear and address any potential issues before they become major problems.

What is life expectancy of a telehandler?

From harsh applications to more standard operations, the life expectancy of a telehandler is between 5,000 and 10,000 hours. Taking into account average operational requirements and usage, it is likely that a telehandler should provide around 7,000 to 10,000 hours of service.

Do I need a certificate to drive a telehandler?

In order to legally drive a telehandler, you must have a valid and full category B (car) driving licence. You will also need to make sure that you have undergone the necessary training and hold the relevant competency qualifications.

In addition, it is important to have insurance in place for using the telehandler on the road.

What are the daily checks I should perform on my telehandler?

It is important to conduct daily checks on your telehandler to maintain safe and reliable operation. These checks should include verifying fluid levels, tire pressure, engine components and making any necessary adjustments. Doing so will help you avoid costly repairs and ensure optimal performance.

How often should I change the hydraulic oil in my telehandler?

For best performance and to avoid any potential issues, it is recommended that you change the hydraulic oil in your telehandler every 1,000 hours of operation.

Summary

In conclusion, proper telehandler maintenance is essential for ensuring the safety, performance, and longevity of your equipment.

By establishing a routine maintenance schedule, performing regular engine and hydraulic system checks, adhering to safety measures and inspections, and following preventive measures for costly repairs, you can keep your telehandler in top working condition.

By committing to these guidelines and following the manufacturer’s recommendations, you can protect your investment and ensure the efficient operation of your telehandler for years to come.

Get In Touch With Our Team

We Aim To Reply To All Enquiries With-in 24-Hours