When it comes to maintaining the lift truck, it can really 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 costs, or increased safety risks, which is worse yet. If on the other hand, you select correct tire you could enjoy substantial cost-savings, improved safety and an overall more effective operation. A correctly selected tire can really lessen the downtime for replacement and probably last 40 percent longer.
Tires are really somewhat complex parts on the equipment; hence, it is easy to choose the wrong kind accidentally. There are a lot of different brands of tires and types, with a wide range of treads and compounds. This means you have to be fully prepared with the correct information when you are going shopping for tires so that you could choose some safe and durable options to help extend the life of your lift truck.
The specific kind of tire selected for a forklift depends on the type of surface you will be utilizing the equipment on. For instance, indoor applications and smooth surfaces usually utilize tires that are made from rubber and that are a smaller size. On the other hand, outdoor operations require pneumatic tires. Pneumatic tires are filled with compressed air and have a rubber tread. These features give them a great grip on rough and uneven surfaces.
Forklift Tire Safety
Each year, there are around 200 people killed in accidents related for lift truck use. Ensuring lift truck safety, like for example correct inspection practices, could all contribute in to preventing these horrible and dangerous mishaps from taking place.
Pre-Work Inspection
Prior to each shift, the lift truck's tires have to be checked. Ideally, they must have the right air pressure, as set forth by the manufacturer. This is really vital because if the tire pressure is very low, the machinery could inadvertently tip over when a load is being lifted.
Types
For indoor work, forklifts that have solid tires made out of rubber are the best choice.
Other Considerations
Occupational Health and Safety Administration or OSHA places a requirement on the continual utilization of lift trucks. These forklifts must be checked at the end of each shift. The driver needs to inspect the machinery for any mechanical problems and the tires have to be inspected for excessive wear, cuts or obvious tire damage. Any problems which are detected have to be addressed as soon as possible to maintain safety.