What To Note For Winter Starting Of Internal Combustion Forklift

Cold weather often causes hard starting and unstable idle speed for diesel powered forklift. In most cases, it is not a mechanical failure. Low temperature affects fuel, battery and lubrication systems, so proper preparation is required. What should you pay attention to for winter starting of an internal combustion forklift? This article introduces standard starting operations.

Switch to diesel oil with proper grade according to ambient temperature. This is the key step. 0# diesel used at normal temperature will precipitate wax in cold conditions and block fuel filters, leading to poor fuel supply and hard starting. Switch to -10# or -20# low pour point diesel when temperature approaches zero. Inspect and replace fuel filters in time to avoid wax blockage.

Complete preheating procedure before starting. For models with glow plugs, do not crank immediately after turning on the key. Wait until the preheating indicator goes out, so the preheating unit can heat the cylinder and raise intake temperature sufficiently. For trucks without preheating devices, preheat the water tank and engine oil externally. Avoid prolonged repeated cranking, which can burn out the starter and battery. Follow these internal combustion forklift winter starting tips to protect your equipment.

Check battery condition in advance. Low temperature greatly reduces battery capacity and starting current. Check electrolyte level before winter, clean oxide on battery terminals and fasten connectors. Charge the battery regularly if the forklift stays idle for a long time to prevent power loss and weak starting.

Use winter-grade engine oil. Engine oil turns thick and flows poorly in cold weather. Components lack sufficient lubrication upon cold start, which increases starting resistance and accelerates cylinder wear. Replace with low-temperature engine oil as required by the manufacturer. Do not rev sharply right after cold start. Keep low idle until water temperature and oil pressure return normal before loading work.

Take anti-freezing measures for the cooling system. Fill the tank with qualified antifreeze instead of plain water, to prevent ice expansion cracking the tank and cylinder block. Check pipelines for leakage after daily work, and add thermal protection for long-term storage.

Many operators repeatedly crank the engine forcibly, which causes severe damage to the forklift and should be avoided. If your site has low winter temperatures, equip your diesel powered forklift with winter maintenance accessories to cut down cold-related failures. Contact us for complete winter forklift maintenance plans.