Are you concerned about why your forklift has suddenly stopped starting up in a timely manner? Unless your forklift has a faulty starter in it, the battery is likely the root cause of the problem. The battery will either need to undergo a repair, or you will have to get a new one installed in the forklift. If you have a limited budget, a used battery will be good enough to resolve the problem. Take a look at this article for a few things you should know when diagnosing a problematic battery in a forklift.

1. The Battery Terminal Ends Are Loose

The terminal ends are important for a forklift battery to fully function as it should. Your forklift might be taking long to start up because an insufficient amount of energy is being sent from the battery. It is possible that the terminal ends are loose and need to be tightened. If the terminal ends are damaged beyond repair, the battery should be replaced.

2. The Battery Is Corroded 

The battery may have become corroded if it has been in the forklift for a lot of years, and you can ask a mechanic to examine the case for signs of corrosion. He or she might find that the case has begun to bulge. The terminals and other parts of the battery may have become rusty from the corrosion. If the problem is severe enough, you should stop using the forklift until the battery is replaced. Continuing to use a corroded battery can lead to serious problems that will cause more damage.

3. The Battery Is Not Charged

There might not be anything physically wrong that is causing the battery to not release enough power for the forklift to work. You might simply need to get the battery recharged. Ask a mechanic to check the power level of the battery to find out if charging is necessary. If the power level is extremely low and does not go up much with charging, the battery is likely going out altogether.

4. The Battery Is Overheating

It is possible that the battery has been overheating and causing a delayed start up. If you notice any smoke coming from the forklift, it might be coming from the battery. The smell of sulfur is often smelled when a battery overheats as well. Visit a used forklift battery dealer so you can purchase a replacement if it is needed.