Allis Chalmers FP40 Forklift Question

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   Good Morning,

I recently acquired an Allis Chalmers FP40 from an auction. Start, runs, stops and drives as it should. It is currently set up to operate on propane. I don't have much for experience with this forklift. It has a 4 cylinder engine. I have not yet touched anything as far as maintenance goes. 

My Question: It seems a bit underpowered when off-road. It has a tough time making it up inclines, especially with a load. Is this normal? Is there anything maintenance wise I need to address? Or is this just how the machines are in general? 

Thank You

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FrieszFrame Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Bronze Level Joined: 18 Nov 2025 Location: New Salem Points: 2	Post Options Post Reply Quote FrieszFrame Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Allis Chalmers FP40 Forklift Question Posted: 18 Nov 2025 at 10:52am
	Good Morning, I recently acquired an Allis Chalmers FP40 from an auction. Start, runs, stops and drives as it should. It is currently set up to operate on propane. I don't have much for experience with this forklift. It has a 4 cylinder engine. I have not yet touched anything as far as maintenance goes. My Question: It seems a bit underpowered when off-road. It has a tough time making it up inclines, especially with a load. Is this normal? Is there anything maintenance wise I need to address? Or is this just how the machines are in general? Thank You

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DiyDave Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Access Joined: 11 Sep 2009 Location: Gambrills, MD Points: 54499	Post Options Post Reply Quote DiyDave Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 18 Nov 2025 at 3:23pm
	2 thoughts, 1 give it a compression check. 2 propane carbs have some weird stuff on them, that is to sense atmospheric pressure. There are holes that are supposed to be open, that the hole spiders love to fill with an egg and some prey that the egg feeds on, then they seal up the hole with mud dauber like cement. check to see if you have any holes that look like a mud dauber filled them...
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Eric B Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 09 Feb 2012 Location: British Columbi Points: 996	Post Options Post Reply Quote Eric B Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 15 hours 49 minutes ago at 10:12pm
	You can do the check up that Dave suggests and also there are some plungers in there that need to move freely in metering just the right amount of fuel to match the amount of power needed. There should also be an adjustment screw to control the lean-to-rich fuel setting, this may need to be opened up more. Most propane systems have a filter for the propane to pass through. Sometimes they plug and restrict fuel flow. You may also want to check the ignition timing. It will bog if the timing is too retarded. In general with propane you need to advance the timing more than what the book calls for if they run on gasoline. Please let us know how you make out, thanks.
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