It could be simple to overlook the important tire, when it comes to the maintenance of the lift truck. When you pick the wrong tire for your lift truck, you could put large increases on your operating expenses, and more significantly increase your safety risks. If on the other hand, you select correct type of tire you could enjoy substantial cost-savings, improved safety and an overall more efficient operation. A properly selected tire can really decrease the downtime for replacement and potentially last 40 percent longer.
Tires are really quite complex components on the machine; therefore, it is easy to select the wrong type accidentally. There are so many different kinds of tires and brands, with a huge variety of compounds and treads. This means you must be completely prepared with the correct information when you are going shopping for tires so that you could decide on some tough and safe options to help prolong the life of your forklift.
Your company should select the particular tire for their machinery based on the type of surface the machine would be operated on. Smoother surfaces and indoor applications for example, would normally utilize tires that are smaller in size and made from rubber. 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 great grip on rough and uneven surfaces.
Lift Truck Tire Safety
Each year, 200 people are killed in forklift or lift truck related accidents each year. Ensuring lift truck safety, like for example correct inspection practices, could all contribute in to preventing these horrible and dangerous mishaps from occurring.
Pre-Work Inspection
Prior to every shift, the lift truck's tires have to be inspected. Ideally, they must have the proper air pressure, as set forth by the maker. This is extremely vital because if the tire pressure is too low, the equipment could accidentally tip over when a load is being lifted.
Types
For indoor work, lift trucks which have solid tires made out of rubber are the best option.
Other Considerations
Occupational Health and Safety Administration or OSHA places a requirement on the frequent use of lift trucks. These forklifts are required to be inspected at the end of each and every shift. The operator must inspect the machinery for any mechanical problems and the tires should be checked for cuts, excessive wear or obvious damage to the tires. Any problems which are detected should be dealt with as soon as possible to maintain safety.