Cat Lift Trucks (& Caterpillar) M20:
Spark when try to go forward or reverse when i let off the pedal

I have an older Cat M20 forklift that I just bought. It runs good except when I push the floor pedal in either directions it just goes to full power. When I let off the pedal, there is a spark that I can see from the back battery cover. It looks like the switch or whatever it is, is stuck. It just goes from full power to off. I thought these were supposed to move faster as you push the pedal further and vice versa when you let off. Can anyone tell me what that part that controls forward or reverse movement is called? Is this a common problem? The electric forklift is rated for 2000 lbs.
  • Posted 3 Sep 2019 11:18
  • Discussion started by ridofpwrstroke
  • Alaska, United States
Showing items 1 - 8 of 8 results.
I believe this has a GE M210 panel. First thing is to determine if the 1A bypass contactor is closing at the same time as the directional tips are closing. If only one contactor is closing then you need to check the accelerator potentiometer. if two contactors are closing you need to check the bypass switch in the accelerator assembly.
  • Posted 18 Sep 2019 22:28
  • Reply by BREWSKI
  • Nebraska, United States
BREWSKI
Sounds like you are talking about your contactors. They might be pitted or welding them self's closed. Possibly causing the line contactor to open. I would first verify my battery had water and is fully charged. I would see what the battery voltage is dropping to with a load. Visually inspect the contactor tips. You might just be talking about the spark of the bypass contactor opening from coming out high speed.
  • Posted 18 Sep 2019 13:14
  • Modified 18 Sep 2019 13:18 by poster
  • Reply by Service_T
  • Kansas, United States
ServiceT
well i'm not sure about it then, it's not even listed in my parts and service program. So i have no clue at the moment
  • Posted 18 Sep 2019 12:30
  • Reply by swoop223
  • North Carolina, United States
You've been swooped!
swoop223@gmail.com
Swoop,
The forklift is a cat
The model of the cat is an M20
The type is E
Bat Type is E0583
Serial # is 93V528
Rated volts are 36
  • Posted 18 Sep 2019 02:32
  • Reply by ridofpwrstroke
  • Alaska, United States
Swoop, thanks for the help. I don't get back until next tues. It has a data plate on it and I will post it on here. Again, I appreciate the help.
  • Posted 4 Sep 2019 09:47
  • Reply by ridofpwrstroke
  • Alaska, United States
Not sure i can help without that info.
only information i see right off in my cat program is for a M25D model truck.
Take a good look at the truck, see if it is another brand just branded with the cat name. Cat was known to do this from time to time with mitsubitshi and raymond and jungheinrich as well. There may be a data tag reflecting this somewhere on the machine.
  • Posted 4 Sep 2019 09:40
  • Reply by swoop223
  • North Carolina, United States
You've been swooped!
swoop223@gmail.com
I wont be able to do that until next tues when I'm sitting in front of the machine. ANy help would be appreciated.
  • Posted 4 Sep 2019 06:57
  • Reply by ridofpwrstroke
  • Alaska, United States
can you get a full model and serial number off of the dataplate?
  • Posted 3 Sep 2019 14:39
  • Reply by swoop223
  • North Carolina, United States
You've been swooped!
swoop223@gmail.com

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