When it comes to maintaining the forklift, it could really be easy to overlook the simple yet important tire. If you pick the wrong tire, you can end up accidentally with a huge increase in fleet operating costs, or increased safety risks, which is worse yet. If however, you pick correct kind of tire you could enjoy significant cost-savings, improved safety and an overall more efficient operation. A correctly chosen tire could really reduce the downtime for replacement and potentially last 40 percent longer.
Tires are really somewhat complex parts on the machinery; hence, it is easy to select the wrong type accidentally. There are so many different types of tires and brands, with different treads and compounds. This means you have to be completely prepared with the right information when you are purchasing tires so that you can choose some tough and safe options to help prolong the life of your forklift.
The particular kind of tire chosen for a forklift depends on the kind of surface you would be using the machinery on. Like for instance, indoor applications and smooth surfaces normally utilize tires which are made from rubber and that are a smaller size. On the contrary, outdoor operations require pneumatic tires. Pneumatic tires have a rubber tread and are filled with compressed air. These characteristics give them a good grip on uneven and rough surfaces.
Lift Truck Tire Safety
Each year, there are about 200 individuals killed in accidents related for lift truck use. Ensuring lift truck safety, such as proper inspection practices, can all contribute in to avoiding these terrible and dangerous mishaps from happening.
Pre-Work Inspection
Before each shift, the lift truck's tires have to be inspected. Ideally, they should have the proper air pressure, as set forth by the maker. This is really essential because if the tire pressure is very low, the equipment could accidentally tip over when a load is being lifted.
Types
For indoor work, forklifts which have solid tires made out of rubber are the most suitable alternative.
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 inspected at the end of each shift. The operator should inspect the machine for any mechanical problems and the tires need to be looked over for cuts, excessive wear or apparent tire damage. Any issues that are detected should be dealt with as soon as possible to maintain safety.