Worried about your Hyster forklift transmissions or wondering about the needing service warning signs? Glad you found this article, it’s certainly important to know. You don’t have to be a Hyster forklift service person to know when your machine needs some maintenance. Being familiar with the sounds, normal noises, and irregular behavior of your forklift will save you tons of money, as well as keep your machine running for a long time.
Let’s look at the four signs your Hyster forklift transmission needs service or replacement.
Difficulty with gear shifts
One big sign your Hyster forklift transmission is begging to be serviced is difficulty changing gears. A transmission in working order will shift fears seamlessly rather than a delayed engagement. If it takes a bit to shift from forward to reverse, the gear is struggling or is having difficulty picking up momentum after a gear shift, then you may want to take a look at your transmission.
Now, difficulty in shifting gears doesn’t always mean a transmission problem. There could be other issues at play here. No matter what is the culprit, if your shifting gears are becoming problematic then the longer you wait to find out what the problem is, the more damage will be done to your Hyster forklift.
Noise
Some noise for any machine is normal. There are a lot of bolts and turning gears, after all. What isn’t normal is sputtering every time you shift gears in your Hyster forklift. Other noises that should concern you are rattles, clangs, hisses, anything that sounds like metal on metal grinding. These are all signs to look at your Hyster forklift transmission.
Noises can happen when using a Hyster forklift, or any machine for that matter. How this is a warning sign for your transmission is that they generally happen when you’re changing gears. Another noise to listen out for is when your Hyster forklift is in neutral, a bumping sound usually means it’s time to call a service person for your Hyster forklift transmission.
Judders
Changing direction when driving should be as smooth as shifting gears and, if it isn’t, could be for a lot of reasons. You want to watch out for sudden judders when changing direction while driving. It’s often a sign that the Hyster forklift transmission is wearing or close to worn out. The machine shouldn’t be jittering suddenly, especially when changing direction. Take it to a service person to get it checked out quickly.
Transmission Fluid
Probably the clearest sign your Hyster forklift transmission needs help is the transmission fluid. If you’re running into some of the issues mentioned above, take a look at the fluid. It should be a bright pink or less than bright pink if it’s been a bit since the fluid has been changed. If it’s dark, thick, bits of metal in it, or has a burning smell then you need to get it changes as soon as possible.
Bad fluid transmission can damage a lot if left filthy. You want to make an appointment to get your Hyster forklift transmission services right away, especially if you find bits of metal and burning smell.
The Warning Light
The last tip for knowing when to take your Hyster forklift transmission is the engine light. May seem counterintuitive but, the engine service light doesn’t always mean it’s the engine that needs to be serviced. If you see that light on, and you’re experiencing some of the other problems on this list, take your Hyster forklift in to be checked out.
The only time that light should be ignored is when it’s known to turn on and off at random. Even then, don’t ignore it. That means something is wrong with the wiring and you want your warning system intact.
Know Thy Hyster Forklift Transmission
There you have it, five tell-tale signs for when your Hyster forklift transmission is in trouble. Knowing what to look for will save you truckloads of money in transmission replacement or forklift replacement. Never shrug off a noisy forklift or one that sputters, has a burning smell, or leave old transmission fluid in.
A quick recap of the 5 signs to service your Hyster forklift transmission:
- Difficulty changing gears
- Noisy in neutral or when shifting gears
- Judders or shudders when changing direction
- Dark transmission fluid, has metal bits in, or is thick
- The engine warning light is on
Keeping an eye out for these things will help ensure your Hyster forklift will run smoothly for the duration of its lifespan.
FAQs
What is the hydraulic problem with forklifts?
Commonly observed problems with forklifts include:
- Lower fluid levels can result in overheating or lower efficiency if the wrong type of fluid is used, resulting in corrosion and failure in the worst cases.
- Contamination of fluids is another issue, causing damage to the internal working system of the forklift.
- Leaks in working components of the forklift, including leaks in the system, internal wear in cylinders, pump failure due to air in the system, and faulty valves.
How do you use a Hyster safely?
Aside from getting the required training in using Hyster forklifts, here are ways to use them safely:
- Avoid loading the forklift beyond the rated capacity.
- Avoid unauthorized modifications without consulting the manufacturer
- Maintain safe speed from pick up to drop.
- Make sure the visibility is clear while using the forklift.
- Secure and balance the load before proceeding.
- Avoid sudden stops or turns to prevent tipping.
- Refuel at designated using high-quality fuel.
- Use ropes and securing materials for heavy loads.
- Use adequate method of stacking load on pallets or skid
How high does a Hyster forklift go?
Hyster forklifts are made to be durable, tough and versatile. The mast has been designed with precision and strength in mind. The models come in two variants, Standard and Heavy Duty, where the height ranges from 4,650mm to 12,750mm. You can get in touch with us to know more.
When did Hyster start making forklifts?
Hyster was founded in the year 1929. It went on to become a part of NACCO Materials Handling Group in 1989. Through the 1960s and 1970s, the brand was involved in creating high-performance and durable machinery. They have been making forklifts for decades now.