Discussion:
Forklift only moves at normal speed when turning sharply

The forklift when moving straight forward or backwards or when turning only slightly moves extremely slowly and jerks a little, almost as if the battery is nearly dead or perhaps the brake is not releasing fully. It takes about 8-10 seconds to go a foot even when fresh off the charger and there is a faint buzzing noise that I don't recall it making when it was working normally. However when making a sharp turn in either direction the forklift quickly accelerates to its normal full speed both forwards and backwards and continues to go at that speed until you start to straighten out. When you're turning and going normal speed and start to straighten out it slows down immediately like you slammed on the brakes and goes back to the jerky barely moving thing it does. Anyone have any ideas on what might be causing this?
  • Posted 11 Jan 2018 08:14
  • By kainoa
  • joined 11 Jan'18 - 1 message
  • Hawaii, United States
Showing items 1 - 3 of 3 results.
Could have sworn it said RC3020...my bad
  • Posted 22 Jan 2018 14:10
  • By Ifixit
  • joined 30 Jan'17 - 174 messages
  • Pennsylvania, United States
Ifixit....the unit the OP is asking about is an RC5500 series.
You may need to rethink and edit if you are attempting to offer advice.
  • Posted 22 Jan 2018 13:26
  • By Buster_Hymen
  • joined 21 Jan'18 - 14 messages
  • Georgia, United States
Could be 2 reasons. First, the steer switches are not working. They turn off the inside motor by opening the contactor circuit. The unlikely reason is the drive motor (or both motors) are shorting to each other. Raise and block both front wheels off of the floor and check to see if each motor turns off left and right while turning the steer wheels
  • Posted 18 Jan 2018 12:02
  • By Ifixit
  • joined 30 Jan'17 - 174 messages
  • Pennsylvania, United States

Post your Reply

Forkliftaction accepts no responsibility for forum content and requires forum participants to adhere to our rules of conduct. Click here for more information.

If you are having trouble using the Discussion Forums, please contact us for help.

Global Industry News
edition #1255 - 6 November 2025
In this week’s Forkliftaction News , Hyster-Yale says it is reducing production because of “softer demand” as it reports revenue for Q3 was USD979 million, a drop both year-on-year and quarter-on-quarter... Continue reading
Hyster-Yale to lower production Cleveland, OH, United States
Upcoming industry events …
February 5-7, 2026 - Mumbai, India
April 14-16, 2026 - São Paulo, Brazil
June 9-11, 2026 - Johannesburg, South Africa
Movers & Shakers
Deborah Baker Deborah Baker
Board chair, Equipment Leasing & Finance Association
Vice president of manufacturing operations, Hytrol Conveyor Company
VP sales Europe, EP Equipment Europe
Group president - Vancouver operations, Columbia Machine
Hyster-Yale to lower production Cleveland, OH, United States
Fact of the week
In Germany, the 9th of November is sometimes called Schicksalstag, the "Day of Fate" because it has been the day for several major historical events, including the horrors of Kristallnacht in 1938 and the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.