When it comes to maintaining the lift truck, it can be easy to overlook the simple yet important tire. If you select the wrong tire, you can end up accidentally with a huge increase in fleet operating expenses, or increased safety risks, which is worse yet. If however, you choose right tire you could enjoy significant cost-savings, improved safety and an overall more effective operation. A properly selected tire can really lessen the downtime for replacement and potentially last 40 percent longer.
Tires are really somewhat complex parts on the machinery; therefore, it is easy to select the wrong kind accidentally. There are so many different brands of tires and types, with a huge array of compounds and treads. This means you need to be fully prepared with the correct data when you are buying tires so that you can decide on some durable and safe alternatives to help extend the life of your lift truck.
The specific type of tire selected for a lift truck depends on the type of surface you will be using the machinery on. For instance, indoor applications and smooth surfaces generally utilize tires which are made from rubber and that are a smaller size. On the contrary, outdoor operations need pneumatic tires. Pneumatic tires are filled with compressed air and have a rubber tread. These characteristics give them a good grip on surfaces that are rough and uneven.
Forklift Tire Safety
Each year, there are around 200 individuals killed in accidents related for lift truck use. Ensuring forklift safety, like for instance correct inspection practices, can all contribute in to preventing these dangerous and horrible accidents from occurring.
Pre-Work Inspection
Before each and every shift, the lift truck's tires have to be checked. Ideally, they must have the proper air pressure, as set forth by the maker. This is really vital because if the tire pressure is too low, the equipment can accidentally tip over when a load is being raised.
Types
For indoor work, forklifts that have solid tires made out of rubber are the best choice.
Other factors
The OHSA or Occupational Health and Safety Administration require that lift trucks used on a continual basis have to be checked at the completion of every shift. The operator has to inspect the machine for any mechanical issues and the tires must be inspected for cuts, excessive wear or obvious damage to the tires. Any problems that are detected should be dealt with as soon as possible to maintain safety.