When it comes to maintaining the forklift, it can really be easy to overlook the simple yet essential 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 right kind of tire you can enjoy improved safety, substantial cost-savings and an overall more efficient operation. A properly chosen tire can actually lessen the downtime for replacement and probably last 40 percent longer.
Tires are really quite complex components on the machinery; hence, it is easy to select the wrong one accidentally. There are so many different brands of tires and types, with a huge array of treads and compounds. This means you must be completely prepared with the correct information when you are buying tires so that you could decide on some safe and tough alternatives to help extend the life of your forklift.
The specific kind of tire chosen for a lift truck depends on the type of surface you will be using the machine on. Like for example, smoother surfaces and indoor applications normally utilize tires which are made from rubber and that are smaller in size. On the contrary, outdoor applications need pneumatic tires. Pneumatic tires are filled with compressed air and have a rubber tread. These characteristics give them a great grip on uneven and rough surfaces.
Lift Truck Tire Safety
Each year, there are approximately 200 individuals killed in accidents related for lift truck use. Ensuring lift truck safety, like correct inspection practices, can all contribute in to avoiding these horrible and dangerous mishaps from occurring.
Pre-Work Inspection
Before every shift, the forklift's tires have to be inspected. Ideally, they must have the right air pressure, as set forth by the manufacturer. This is very important because if the tire pressure is too low, the machinery can 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 most suitable choice.
Other Considerations
Occupational Health and Safety Administration or OSHA places a requirement on the continual use of lift trucks. These forklifts should be inspected at the end of every shift. The operator needs to check the equipment for any kind of mechanical issues and the tires should be inspected for excessive wear, cuts or obvious damage to the tires. Any issues that are detected need to be dealt with as soon as possible to maintain safety.