When it comes to maintaining the lift truck, it can be easy to neglect the simple yet essential tire. If you choose 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 correct tire you can enjoy improved safety, significant cost-savings and an overall more effective operation. A properly chosen tire can really lessen the downtime for replacement and potentially last 40 percent longer.
Tires are really quite complex parts on the machine; hence, it is easy to pick the wrong one accidentally. There are so many different types of tires and brands, with various compounds and treads. This means you must be totally prepared with the correct information when you are purchasing tires so that you can decide on some tough and safe options to help extend the life of your lift truck.
The particular type of tire chosen for a forklift depends on the kind of surface you would be using the equipment on. For instance, smoother surfaces and indoor applications normally utilize tires which are made from rubber and that are a smaller size. On the contrary, outdoor applications require pneumatic tires. Pneumatic tires are filled with compressed air and have a rubber tread. These features give them a good grip on rough and uneven surfaces.
Forklift Tire Safety
Each year, there are roughly 200 individuals killed in accidents related for forklift use. Ensuring forklift safety, like for example correct inspection practices, can all contribute in to avoiding these dangerous and horrible mishaps from taking place.
Pre-Work Inspection
Before each and every shift, the forklift's tires have to be inspected. Ideally, they should have the proper air pressure, as set forth by the maker. This is extremely vital because if the tire pressure is very low, the machine can accidentally tip over when a load is being raised.
Types
The tires utilized on indoor lift trucks will be made out of solid rubber.
Other Considerations
OSHA or the Occupational Health and Safety Administration places a requirement on the frequent utilization of lift trucks. These forklifts are required to be checked at the end of each shift. The operator needs to inspect the machine for any type of mechanical issues and the tires should be checked for cuts, excessive wear or apparent tire damage. Any problems which are detected must be addressed as soon as possible to maintain safety.