Toyota Forklift Battery Maintenance And Handling Tips

How To Handle The Forklift Battery

A Toyota forklift battery is usually a big investment that you should do your best to protect. Protection starts with choosing the right weight and pairing it with the right forklift. It also helps to know the battery connector choices available and the right charging voltage. These will help you use and maintain the battery properly to extend its lifespan. You also need information about the right and wrong practices that will keep breakdowns minimal and allow you to maximize your investment. Forklift batteries are useful, but they can also be dangerous. Some tips that can help you handle these batteries cautiously include:

Using The Right Equipment

You should never try to move the battery on your own or by relying on your physical strength. It’s also essential that you don’t use the wrong equipment that could damage the battery. There is special apparatus that you can use to move the forklift easily and safely. An example is the walkie pallet jack that comes with a transfer carriage for steering the battery in the right direction. You should also wear shoes reinforced with steel at the toes for better protection.

Have A Cleaning Area Close By

Regardless of how well prepared you are, there’s always a chance that things could go wrong, and you need to be prepared. Have a washing station with running water and soap nearby. Place it strategically, in a place where it will be easy to access, in case battery fluid comes in contact with your eyes or hands.

Wear The Right Clothing

The best clothing when around batteries are chemical-proof ones. Whether you have a washing station or not, always wear chemical-resistant gear like clothing and gloves to protect you from the toxic battery chemicals.

Charging Toyota Forklift Battery

Apart from moving the battery, charging it also requires attention and caution. You have to time it correctly to ensure you don’t undercharge or overcharge it.

Remember to remove your jewelry before charging. Any metallic material near a charging forklift battery can be hazardous. Other tips you should consider are:

• Have a specific area for charging only, as recommended by OSHA.
• Only charge lead-acid batteries at 80% depth of discharge. Allowing the battery to discharge past the 80% point will lead to its inefficiency, just like charging it before the mark will reduce its lifespan. This may be different in some batteries, so you should understand the type you’re dealing with.
• Always rinse the forklift battery if it overflows. If you don’t, it will start to corrode and will soon become useless.
• Make sure the battery is compatible with the charger before connecting them. The important features to focus on are the voltage and the connectors. If it helps, label the connectors correctly and mark the amperage on the charger, especially if you have several of them lying around. It will keep you from using the wrong charger on your battery. Additionally, you should never allow an untrained person to handle the charging.
• Never leave the battery on the charger for longer than the recommended duration if you want it to last as long as indicated by the manufacturer. Keep checking the charging progress, and if you can’t, get one of the battery management systems to help you out.
• Maintaining the right temperature is also crucial when you have a forklift battery. Never keep the charging room at very low or extremely high temperatures. Only the optimal temperature will ensure the battery retains its longevity. Remember, Toyota forklift batteries vary, which means the right temperature for each differ. If you’re not sure about the recommended temperature by the manufacturer, contact them for clarity. You can also get more information or assistance from other experts.
• Always have water close by when the battery is charging, but only use it after completing the charging cycle. Most people make the mistake of adding water before charging, which shouldn’t be the case. Only use distilled water and not tap water after charging to increase the electrolytes to the right level. Water also works with wet-cell batteries only.
• Never unplug the charger before turning it off or before disconnecting the battery. You should also make sure it is off before connecting the battery.

These tips will help you take care of your forklift battery in a proper manner and ensure it remains in excellent condition for as long as possible. Modern Fork Lift is available if you have any questions.