On construction sites in high-temperature regions such as Southeast Asia and the Middle East, forklifts operate continuously under the scorching sun at temperatures above 40℃ every day. However, many construction sites neglect forklift maintenance, leading to problems such as tire cracking, hydraulic system failure, and battery scrapping in just 3 months, eventually turning the equipment into "scrap iron". In fact, proper forklift maintenance not only extends the equipment's service life but also avoids downtime losses — especially mastering these 3 core steps can keep forklifts running stably in high-temperature environments.
High temperatures cause damage to forklifts in three main areas, and the key to forklift maintenance lies in targeted protection:
First step: Cooling the tires is the foundation of forklift maintenance. In high temperatures, tire rubber is prone to heating up to over 60℃ due to sun exposure and friction, accelerating aging and cracking. Before daily operations, wipe the tire surfaces with a wet towel to remove attached sand and gravel; during lunch breaks, park the forklift under a sunshade to avoid direct sunlight.
Second step: Cooling the hydraulic oil is the core of forklift maintenance. When the ambient temperature exceeds 45℃, hydraulic oil is prone to overheating to above 80℃ due to poor circulation, causing seal aging and system leakage. It is recommended to install additional radiators for forklifts and check the oil temperature gauge daily to ensure the temperature is controlled within 70℃. Practice at Dubai's Foster Building Materials Warehouse shows that after proper forklift maintenance in this regard, the failure rate of the hydraulic system dropped by 75%.
Third step: Ventilating the battery is a hidden focus of forklift maintenance. In high temperatures, when forklift batteries are charging, chemical reactions accelerate, easily producing hydrogen gas. If charging in a confined space, accumulated hydrogen may cause an explosion. Therefore, the charging area must be set in a well-ventilated open space, and the battery's exhaust holes should be checked regularly for smoothness. Bangkok's Taitong Logistics Park completely solved the problem of battery bulging during the high-temperature season by standardizing battery ventilation procedures.
It is worth noting that in high-temperature environments, mini crawler excavators can form "synergistic protection" with forklifts. Small excavators can take on tasks such as short-distance material transfer and site leveling, reducing the continuous operation time of forklifts and fundamentally lowering their overheating risks. This "forklift + small excavator" combination reduces the pressure of forklift maintenance by 30% and increases the comprehensive utilization rate of equipment by 25%.
The importance of forklift maintenance in high-temperature regions cannot be overstated. Ignoring these 3 steps will not only cause rapid equipment wear but may also affect project progress due to downtime.
Hengwang forklifts are specifically designed as reliable options for high-temperature working conditions. Their tires use a high-temperature-resistant rubber formula, with anti-aging performance 50% better than ordinary forklifts, reducing the risk of cracking from sun exposure; the hydraulic system is equipped with a high-efficiency cooling module for more precise oil temperature control. Combined with the forklift maintenance tips mentioned above, hydraulic oil can remain stable at a safe temperature for a long time; the battery compartment is designed with a reinforced ventilation structure, fundamentally reducing the risk of hydrogen accumulation. Choosing Hengwang forklifts can not only resist high-temperature wear from the equipment itself but also form "double protection" with scientific maintenance, making your operations at high-temperature construction sites more worry-free and efficient.
Is your project in a high-temperature region? Fill in your information to get the "Guide to Synergistic Maintenance of Forklifts and Small Excavators in Tropical Construction Sites" → [Download Materials]. You can also learn about the detailed parameters of Hengwang forklifts and high-temperature adaptation plans, allowing professional forklift maintenance plans and reliable equipment to protect your project and avoid high-temperature wear!