When it comes to maintaining the lift truck, it could 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 pick correct tire you could enjoy substantial cost-savings, improved safety and an overall more efficient operation. A properly chosen tire can actually decrease the downtime for replacement and probably last 40 percent longer.
Tires are really quite complex components on the machinery; therefore, it is easy to pick the wrong one accidentally. There are numerous different brands of tires and kinds, with different compounds and treads. This means you should be totally prepared with the correct data when you are purchasing tires so that you could select some safe and tough alternatives to help prolong the life of your forklift.
The specific type of tire selected for a forklift depends on the type of surface you would be utilizing the machine on. Like for example, smoother surfaces and indoor applications generally use tires which are made from rubber and that are a smaller size. On the contrary, outdoor applications need pneumatic tires. Pneumatic tires have a rubber tread and are filled with compressed air. These features give them a great grip on uneven and rough surfaces.
Forklift Tire Safety
Every year, 200 people are killed in forklift or lift truck related accidents each year. Ensuring forklift safety, like for example proper inspection practices, can all contribute in to preventing these horrible and dangerous mishaps from occurring.
Pre-Work Inspection
The tires of the forklift have to be checked prior to each and every shift. Tires should ideally have the right air pressure, that is set by the manufacturer of the tire. This is really vital because if the tire pressure is too low, the machinery could accidentally tip over when a load is being lifted.
Kinds
For indoor work, lift trucks that have solid tires made out of rubber are the best option.
Other factors
OSHA or the Occupational Health and Safety Administration places a requirement on the frequent utilization of lift trucks. These lift trucks should be inspected at the end of each and every shift. The driver has to inspect the machine for any kind of mechanical issues and the tires should be inspected for cuts, excessive wear or apparent damage to the tires. Any issues that are detected need to be addressed as soon as possible to maintain safety.