Keeping all your business equipment up to date is essential in order to reduce downtime, increase productivity and also to ensure your workers with safe and effective working tools. A forklift truck, as the same as many other types of equipment, requires regular maintenance in order to operate smoothly, effectively and safe.
A forklift truck regular maintenance should include all the parts, however some of them still been overlooked. A great example of that is the forklift tires, commonly forget and confusing to know the right time to be replaced. Here are some signs to help you knowing when is the right time to replace your forklift truck tires.
Since tire types are divided in cushion and pneumatic, both of these types have differing warning signs when it comes to knowing when they should be replaced. For this reason, i will describe them separately.
Cushion Tires warning signs:
Pneumatic Tires warning signs:
A forklift truck regular maintenance should include all the parts, however some of them still been overlooked. A great example of that is the forklift tires, commonly forget and confusing to know the right time to be replaced. Here are some signs to help you knowing when is the right time to replace your forklift truck tires.
Since tire types are divided in cushion and pneumatic, both of these types have differing warning signs when it comes to knowing when they should be replaced. For this reason, i will describe them separately.
Cushion Tires warning signs:
- Simple wear - Cushion tires wear slowly, thus gets easily damaged. Check the amount of wear on the tire, and once the top of the tire meets the wear line, that means your forklift truck tires should be changed.
- Cracks - Pieces of rubber is known to fall off the forklift tire because of litter debris or forklift truck wrong use. With that huge cracks can result in the tires, needing to be replaced.
- Flat Spots - Flat spots are normally caused by misalignment and can be easily identified by looking for a bald part on the tire.
- Tearing – When exposed to sharp objects, a forklift truck tire can be torn, which can result imbalance and extremely dangerous.
Pneumatic Tires warning signs:
- Simple Wear – Primarily used for outdoor work, pneumatic tires have a wider size variance to cushion tires and are manufactured for tougher environments. The 5cm rule should be used to knowing when to replace them.
- Inflation – A under or over inflated tired can affect the stability of a forklift truck thus accelerate its wear. Moreover, it can affect the stopping power due to less tire traction.
- Cuts – If a cut is visible on the tire, it is important for it to be replaced. Cuts can result in sudden air loss and improper balance.
- Balding – Inspect the inside of the forklift tires for smooth parts and the outside for lug or tread since forklift truck tires can wear at different rates.