Electrical technology has advanced significantly over the years. We have seen automotive technology go from a small brain box too seven computers onboard. Forklift technology has made several advances as well. For example, we have watched forklifts go from DC motors with bushes to AC motors and five or six computers onboard.
Forklift take the technology to another level by operating these AC motors on a DC battery. The computer technology and software manipulate the DC voltage and create a waveform to operate an AC motor. With this advanced technology comes a high level of diagnostic skills not found in many forklift mechanics.
I have been lucky to have started in the automotive industry in the early 90s when computer command control was becoming more popular. This and the will to learn advanced me into the technician I am today. Everywhere I have worked, I have been the go-to guy for tech support. I have had the opportunity to learn nearly every make forklift in the industry.
With the technology there comes error codes produce by the computers to assist in diagnostics. This is a great tool built into the computers, but there is a certain skill needed to interpret the codes and complete a thorough and accurate diagnostic.
Electric Motor Repair
DC motors do have wearable parts and brushes are one of them. Part of the preventive maintenance program, I do a complete inspection on each motor and can catch the brush were before you lift truck goes down.
