Clark ESX12-25 Forklift Operators Manual (OM-718)

On these Clark ESX12-25 electrics, you’re usually working indoors—warehouses, docks, tight aisles—where smooth, careful handling matters more than brute force. This operators manual is what I’d keep handy to make sure the truck is started, driven, and shut down the way Clark intended, so you don’t cook contactors or abuse the mast. If, for example, the truck won’t move after startup or feels jumpy when you lift a pallet, this is the book I’d use to verify the control settings, check the indicator lights, and confirm the operator sequence before calling it a “mechanical” problem.

Applications & Use Cases

Verify correct startup and shutdown steps so you don’t damage electrical components or drain the battery.
Check daily inspection points to catch leaking seals, loose forks, or damaged cables before they get expensive.
Confirm proper fork adjustment and load handling to avoid bent masts, broken pallets, and tipped loads.
Trace warning lights or odd behavior back to operator actions, helping you isolate real faults from misuse.
Train new operators on safe habits, travel controls, and parking practices that protect the truck and racking.

FAQ

Q: Can I keep this manual on a tablet or phone in the warehouse?

A: Yes, a digital copy works well; you can zoom diagrams and search terms quickly while standing at the truck.

Q: Is it worth printing parts of this manual?

A: I’d print the startup, shutdown, and daily check pages and keep them in a plastic sleeve on or near the charger.

Safety Note

Always follow the manual’s operating and inspection steps before moving a load, not after something goes wrong.

📘 Show Index

Clark ESX12-25 Forklift Index:

A Message to Operators…………ii
Adjusting the load forks……. 5.10
Air cleaning the truck……….. 6.22
After operating………………… 5.16
Attachments…………………….3.11
Auxiliary controls………………. 3.9
B
Battery…………………………… 6.23
Charging……………………….. 6.25
Cleaning and care………. 6.27
Handling……………………. 6.24
Installation…………………. 6.28
Maintenance………………. 6.23
Maximum battery life…… 6.27
Removal from truck…….. 6.26
Service records…………… 6.27
Before Operating the Truck… 5.2
Brakes…………………………… 6.17
Braking……………………………. 5.6
C
Capacity of truck……………… 1.10
Capacity plate…………………..3.11
Chain slack………………………. 2.7
Classified area………………….. 5.8
Contents of Manual……………….v
Controlling speed……………… 5.6
D
Daily inspection………… 1.2 & 4.2
Data plate………………………..3.11
Decals
Keep away from forks…… 3.13
Safety warning…………….. 3.12
Upright warning……………. 3.13
Diagnostic display, using…. 5.4
Diagnostic display…………… 6.16
Do’s and Don’ts………………… 1.3
Driver’s Daily Checklist………. 1.2
Index
F
Fault codes, operator………… 3.5
Forks…………………………….. 6.14
Forks and upright,
positioning………………5.5 & 5.10
Fork wear and damage……. 6.14
Function change button……… 3.7
Functional checks……………… 4.4
Functional tests………………. 6.15
G
General Safety Rules………… 1.1
H
Horn button………………………. 3.7
Hour reading, digital………….. 3.5
How to Use Manual……………. viii
Hydraulic fluid…………………. 6.21
Hydraulic fluid pressure……. 6.12
Hydraulic leaks…………………. 4.2
I
Intervals………………….. 6.8 & 6.9
Introduction………………………….vi
J
Jacking and blocking…………. 6.4
K
Keep away from forks decal.3.13
Key/start switch………………… 3.4
L
Lateral Tip Over………………. 1.12
Lift chain………………………… 6.13
Load handling…………………. 5.10
Longitudinal Tip-over……….. 1.12
Long loads……………………….. 2.3
Loose loads……………………… 2.2

M
Major component location….. 6.7
Moving Loads…………………. 5.12
Multi-Function Handle ………. 3.6
N
No Riders………………………… 1.4
O
Operator Daily Inspection…….. vii
Operating procedures………… 3.1
Operating Safely……………….. 5.7
Operating the Truck, After… 5.16
Operator’s Manual…………….. 5.2
Operator’s Manual holder…… 5.2
Operator’s position……………. 3.3
Out of service tag……………… 4.5
Overhead clearance………….. 2.4
Overhead guard……….. 1.6 & 3.2
P
Pallets……………………………… 2.8
Parking…………………..4.4 & 5.16
Parking brake…………………. 3.10
Pedestrians……………………… 1.5
Picking up loads……………… 5.12
Planned Maintenance……. vii, 6.1
Plugging…………………3.10 & 5.6
R
Recommended PM Intervals.6.8
Reporting problems…………… 4.2
Riders………………………1.4 & 5.7
Right-angle stacking………….. 2.6
Routine Servicing…………………vi
S
Safety inspection, daily………. 1.2
Safety, operating safely……… 5.7
Safety plates and decals. See
Decals and safety plates
Safety Sign and Messages……..x
Safety rules……………………… 1.1
Skids……………………………….. 2.8
Specifications…………………… 7.1
Stability…………… 5.5, 5.8 & 5.10
Stacking…………………………. 5.14
Starting from a safe condition.5.3
Surface and Capacity………. 1.10
Surface, hazards…………….. 1.10
T Tilt restriction indicator……….. 3.8
Tip Over………………..1.12 & 1.13
Traveling with a load………….5.11
Turning……………………………. 5.8
Type designation………. 5.8 & 5.9
U
Unloading………………………. 5.13
Upright warning decal………. 3.13
V
Variable tilt feature…………….. 3.8
Vertical Mast…………………….. 3.9
Visual Checks…………………… 4.3
Visual checks, by operator…. 4.3
W
What to do in Case of a
Tip-over…………………………. 1.13
Wide loads……………………….. 2.2