It can be very dangerous when heavy equipment fails unexpectedly. Although regular maintenance may be common, you may be putting yourself and others in danger if checking your battery isn’t part of it. To help keep you safe, here are the signs that mean you need to change your forklift battery.
Reduced Performance
Operators are familiar with the sounds and movements of the forklifts they operate. If you notice any odd sounds or slow or jerky movements, these symptoms together may indicate imminent battery failure. You may even notice flickering or dim displays. At times, the display lights won’t power on at all.
If this occurs, check that the battery and the forklift connection are clean and stable. In some cases, you may not need to change your battery at all if it’s merely a connection issue. But it’s best to check before your machinery shuts down in the middle of a job.
Acid Leaks and Damage
If your forklift battery fails, sulfuric acid can slosh around inside the battery and cause dangerous corrosion and leakage. You shouldn’t try and fix this on your own, as this poses a severe health risk for you and other employees. However, if you must remove it quickly, goggles, gloves, and other protective equipment are necessart.
However, a professional needs to inspect the battery for damage. While this level of damage is irreparable most of the time, it’s sometimes possible replace the acid and fix the battery. To circumvent major problems, you must do regular forklift battery maintenance.
Fast Battery Drainage
If your forklift can seem to hold a charge and drains faster than usual, the battery is the most likely culprit. While the manufacturer instructions indicate battery life, operators generally have the best sense of how long their machine will last. However, it’s best to log the length of use to manage any dips in power.
Additionally, you should charge a battery when it reaches no lower than 20 percent, as letting it drain can damage the battery’s charge capacity.
Now that you know the warning signs that mean you need to change your forklift battery, you can keep yourself and others safe. So if you notice any of these symptoms, don’t wait. Inspect your battery as soon as possible.
