Read your operator's manual and become familiar with each of the warning lights and gauges on the dashboard. Know what each one indicates.

Potential Hazards

• Mechanical breakdown

• Forklift malfunction

Requirements and Recommended Practices

• Turn on the forklift and check all the warning indicators on your dashboard.

• Never operate a forklift with a warning light or gauge signaling an unsafe condition.

• Do not attempt a repair unless authorized to do so.

• Report any abnormality to your supervisor.

 

The oil pressure gauge indicates the oil pressure inside the engine. An oil pressure warning light may also be present.

Requirements and Recommended Practices

• Do not operate the forklift if the light comes on or the gauge indicates oil pressure problems.

• Check for leaks. Clean up any spills or mark the hazard area until it can be cleaned.

• Notify your supervisor or maintenance personnel.

• Only trained and authorized personnel may service a forklift.

The engine temperature gauge is similar to the engine temperature gauge found on a car or truck.

• Engine temperature may be indicated by "C" for cold or green indicating safe operating temperature, while a hot, overheating engine may be indicated by an "H" for hot or red.

• Refer to your owner's manual for the appearance and significance of your engine temperature gauge.

Requirements and Recommended Practices

• Do not operate a forklift if the light comes on or the gauge indicates an overheated engine.

• Check for leaks. Clean up any spills or mark the hazard area until it can be cleaned.

• Notify your supervisor or maintenance personnel.

• Allow an overheated forklift to cool down before removing the radiator cap. When removing the cap, wear leather gloves and eye protection and open the cap slightly to check for stored pressure before completely removing the cap. Only trained and authorized personnel may service a forklift.

The transmission temperature warning light or gauge indicates when the transmission temperature is too high.

Requirements and Recommended Practices

• Do not operate a forklift if the light comes on or the gauge indicates an overheated transmission.

• Check for leaks. Clean up any spills or mark the hazard area until it can be cleaned.

• Notify your supervisor or maintenance personnel.

• Transmission fluid may need to be added. Only trained and authorized personnel may service a forklift.

The fuel gauge shows the amount of fuel remaining.

Requirements and Recommended Practices

• Do not operate while extremely low on fuel.

• Check the fuel level during your daily inspections.

• Refuel only in designated areas. Clean up any spills or mark the hazard area until it can be cleaned.

The hour meter records the number of hours that a truck has been used. It should be recorded in your Daily Inspection Log. Maintenance is often scheduled by hours of truck use, so it is an important indicator.

Requirements and Recommended Practices

• Log the hours of use daily.

• Do not exceed manufacturer's recommended hours in service.

• Properly maintain vehicles according to manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule. Only trained and authorized personnel may service a forklift.

Electric forklifts have a battery discharge indicator that shows when a battery charge is low. Some ways that battery gauges on the instrument panel indicate the battery is discharged are::

• the warning light indicator is on.

• the gauge needle is in the warning zone.

• a percentage indicator shows the battery charge level.

Requirements and Recommended Practices

• Return to the battery recharging area if the battery gauge is low.

• Recharge the battery only if you are trained and authorized to do so.

For the procedures, see Battery Charging and Changing Procedures.