When it comes to maintaining the lift truck, it can be easy to overlook the simple yet essential tire. If you pick the wrong tire, you could end up accidentally with a huge increase in fleet operating expenses, or increased safety risks, which is worse yet. If on the other hand, you pick right kind of tire you can enjoy substantial cost-savings, improved safety and an overall more effective operation. A correctly selected tire can really lessen the downtime for replacement and potentially last 40% longer.
The lift truck tire is a somewhat complex component of the machine. It is therefore, easy to choose the wrong kind accidentally. There are numerous different brands of tires and types, with various treads and compounds. This means you should be fully prepared with the right data when you are purchasing tires so that you could select some safe and durable alternatives to help prolong the life of your forklift.
The specific type of tire chosen for a forklift depends on the kind of surface you would be using the machinery on. For example, indoor applications and smooth surfaces normally utilize tires that are made from rubber and that are smaller in size. On the contrary, outdoor operations need pneumatic tires. Pneumatic tires have a rubber tread and are filled with compressed air. These features give them a good grip on surfaces that are uneven and rough.
Forklift Tire Safety
Every year, 200 individuals are killed in forklift or lift truck related accidents each year. Ensuring forklift safety, such as proper inspection practices, could all contribute in to avoiding these dangerous and terrible accidents from happening.
Pre-Work Check
The tires of the forklift have to be inspected prior to each shift. Tires must ideally have the proper air pressure, which is set by the manufacturer of the tire. This is very vital because if the tire pressure is very low, the machinery could accidentally tip over when a load is being raised.
Kinds
The tires used on indoor forklifts will be made out of solid rubber.
Other factors
OSHA or the Occupational Health and Safety Administration places a requirement on the continual utilization of forklifts. These forklifts should be inspected at the end of each shift. The driver must check the machine for any mechanical issues and the tires must be checked for excessive wear, cuts or apparent tire damage. Any problems which are detected must be dealt with as soon as possible to maintain safety.