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It might seem simple enough to clean an electric forklift, but it cannot be cleaned in the same way as a diesel or an LPG forklift. This is due to the number of electrical components that sit within it. Although it can withstand a limited amount of water, you should, ideally, refrain from using it at all. So how do you clean it without using the wet stuff?
Things to remember before cleaning an electric forklift
Like with most things in the workplace, especially in the warehouse, you’ll need to make some preparations, especially if you have more than one electric forklift to clean. With that in mind, here are a few things you’ll need to bear in mind before you bring your electric forklift out to clean:
Make sure you have all of the equipment you need
From PPE to an air compressor, there are plenty of things you’ll need before cleaning an electric forklift. Along with an air compressor, you’ll also need a brush or a broom to remove dirt and debris from the machine initially. The right PPE is also required when cleaning a forklift, no matter its fuel type. This is to protect your eyes, feet, skin and hands. The PPE you’ll need to acquire before cleaning your electric forklift includes:
- Work boots
- High-vis jacket
- High-vis vest
- Gloves
- Goggles
- Long-sleeved, heavy duty tops, shirts and/or jumpers
- Full-length, heavy-duty trousers
Keep in mind that electric forklifts are water-resistant, not waterproof
When you come to clean an electric forklift, you need to remember that the vehicle is only water-resistant and not waterproof. This means it can only withstand a small amount of water and not considerable amounts, like it would be exposed to if you were to wash it in the same way you would a diesel or an LPG forklift. With this in mind, be sure to use an air compressor as opposed to a jet washer. Use water to clean your electric forklift at your own risk.
Are you prepared to experience downtime?
If your warehouse is very busy, all year round, then make sure you plan and schedule in your maintenance, this includes cleaning the machine, also. Can you afford to experience downtime? If not, when can you? Is there a time in the year, or every six months, where you’re not as busy as you normally are?
If not, you might be able to hire the additional equipment you need while your electric forklifts are being cleaned. Multy Lift is able to offer warehouse equipment hire, including forklift hire and pallet truck hire.
Things to remember while you’re cleaning an electric forklift
Now you’re prepared to clean your electric forklift, it’s time to actually roll up your sleeves and get it done. You might want to draft in a team of people to help you, especially if it’s a large vehicle or if you have more than one electric forklift that needs to be cleaned thoroughly. Refrain, however, from cleaning them all at once to limit the amount of downtime you experience.
Use compressed air instead of water, where possible
You must use air compressors over jet washers if you want to clean your electric forklift. If you do use water, make sure you wet the vehicle lightly, using a hose on the sprinkler setting. You should also stand at a distance and wet the forklift sparingly, although you do so at your own risk. This is because water can cause several problems with electric forklifts and the way in which it operates, including:
- Electrical failures
- Power shortages
- Broken seals
- Corrosion
When using an air compressor, which we highly recommend, make sure you read the instructions and apply the right amount of pressure to the forklift chassis. This will help to maintain the integrity of the cabin. This way, dirt can be blown off the vehicle rather than sponged off. Forklifts are not waterproof, so they can withstand a small amount of water, but not a lot.
Make sure electric forklift battery maintenance is carried out by a competent person
Electric forklift batteries are extremely complex, but they’re also very costly to replace. Don’t make the mistake of cleaning your electric forklift battery with water and soaps. If you aren’t sure how to clean your electric forklift battery, then you should outsource this work to another company or bring in a competent person to do it for you. This way, they’ll know exactly what can damage the forklift battery, even down to the handling of it.
Do not clean an electric forklift like you would your car
Although we have compared cleaning an electric forklift to cleaning a car, when it comes to how much water you use, you should refrain from using as much on a forklift as you would a car. Despite this, you would be able to clean a diesel and an LPG forklift in this way.
An electric forklift, however, as already touched upon, cannot withstand such a significant amount of water, so refrain from using jet washers or pressure washers. If you must wet the chassis, use a hose with the sprinkler setting and stand from afar. You must also make sure that you do not expose its inner workings to water. Use water on an electric forklift at your own risk.
Work from the top down
If you’ve ever washed your car before, then you’ll already know that you should work from top to bottom, and this applies to electric forklifts as well. This makes sure that dirt from the top of the vehicle doesn’t trickle down to an area that you’ve already cleaned. It ensures the whole process is as efficient and as streamlined as possible, especially because you’ll be experiencing a small amount of downtime whilst the electric forklift is being maintained.
Remove loose dirt & debris first
This should be done before using any water or air on the forklift. Put some gloves on or use a brush or broom to remove the dirt and debris from the chassis. Pay attention to small or hard-to-reach places and other crevices and cracks that dirt might accumulate in. This should also be done from top to bottom. This enables you to brush the dirt and debris up and off the floor in quick time. This needs to be done as soon as possible to prevent slips, trips and falls and also to keep your premises clean and tidy.
Things to remember once you have finished cleaning an electric forklift
Once you have finished cleaning your electric forklift, there’s something else you must do before you, or anyone else, begins operating it again. This is to help prevent corrosion and wear and tear on the forklift as a result of premature operations, especially while it’s still wet (if you used water to gently wet the chassis).
Allow if to air-dry completely before operating it, if you’ve used a light amount of water
If you’ve used a light sprinkling of water to wet the vehicle cabin, at your own risk, then you’ll need to leave your electric forklift to air-dry. It can be tempting to dry it using specialised equipment, but this is better left to dry on its own. Find a spot that’s warm and dry, but not in direct sunlight.
5 Benefits of cleaning an electric forklift
There are several benefits of making sure your electric forklift is clean and running smoothly, this includes maintaining its battery, also. From reducing the risk of an accident to significantly decreasing the amount of downtime you experience, cleaning an electric forklift comes with more advantages than anything else.
1. It lowers maintenance costs in the long run as problems can be identified & rectified quickly, which also means less downtime
Maintenance will cost time and money initially, as will certain repairs, but it’s important that those issues are found as soon as possible so as to avoid more severe problems in the future. If you do not rectify any issues found, then it could end up causing the inevitable and complete breakdown of your machine, and it can be very expensive to find and implement a replacement. Cleaning your forklift will allow you, or a competent person, to get up close to the equipment and inspect it on a level that wouldn’t be achieved with a routine check.
2. It significantly reduces the likelihood of an accident
If you’re able to identify and fix problems with an electric forklift, as a result of regular, planned maintenance, then it will help to reduce the likelihood of an accident occurring, whether it be between a pedestrian and a forklift or a forklift and another piece of machinery. Spot checks, like looking at lights and alarms, can also help with this.
However, dirt and debris can dim down or even cover the lights entirely if it’s not cleaned regularly. This is because dirt can splash up onto the chassis and cover the casing the light sits in. Make sure your electric forklift is clean to protect your employees, your forklift operators and the machine itself.
3. It elongates the lifespan of your electric forklift
Making sure that your electric forklift is properly maintained throughout its life will increase its overall longevity and integrity, often for many years to come. Much like how you’d take all of the necessary steps to look after your car or your motorbike, for example, an electric forklift needs to be maintained to keep it running for as long as possible, ensuring you get your money’s worth out of it as well.
4. It will keep the electric forklift in top condition – ideal for resale value
Much like looking after your car, if it’s on PPC or if you’re wanting to sell it on for the best possible price, you’ll need to keep your electric forklift in good condition for much the same reason. It might be that you’re upgrading your machinery and are looking to put some money towards an upgrade. Selling your old forklifts is the best way to generate some cash for new equipment, so you want to make sure your existing electric forklift is in top condition, both inside and out.
5. Ensures reduced risk of a vehicle breakdown
If you keep your electric forklift in top condition, ensuring it’s maintained and cleaned regularly, then you’ll be able to reduce the likelihood of a breakdown occurring. Warehouse owners cannot afford to experience considerable amounts of downtime. Where cleaning a forklift will result in downtime, it won’t last nearly as long as if your electric forklift broke down due to a mechanical fault.
Multy Lift have over thirty years of material handling knowledge and expertise behind them. This allows us to provide you with relevant, accurate help and advice when you need it most. We have an extensive team of highly-qualified, fully-trained engineers at the helm of everything we do. They’re dedicated to maintaining new and used warehouse equipment, including electric forklifts and other pieces of commercial machinery. We also have high-calibre warehouse equipment available to purchase or hire, including brand new machines and second-hand vehicles. We also have a new line of commercial cleaning equipment, such as pedestrian scrubber dryers, pedestrian sweepers, ride-on scrubber dryers and more. For more information, get in touch with a member of our specialist team today – we’re always happy to hear from you.
