
When it comes to getting the most out of your forklift tires, using the proper tires, and keeping them in good condition is essential. Taking good care of your tires has various long-term benefits, including improved operational efficiency, productivity, safety, and saving money on costly repairs. Well maintained tires also reduces operator fatigue, lowering the chance of an injury or accident on the job. If you take care of your forklift tires, they will take care of you. Utilizing a forklift with worn down tires is not only ineffective, but is also a hazard to the individual operating it. Worn down tires can cause an uneven distribution of vibration throughout the vehicle, adding extra stress on the operator. The vibration and shaking of the forklift can cause back injuries, fatigue, and discomfort.
Getting The Most out of Your Forklift Tires: There are several things you should know when it comes to getting the most out of your tires. Here are some tips you can follow:
- Maintenance: Keep your forklift well maintained and in good repair. A well maintained forklift will help increase tire life
- For pneumatic tires – check air pressure daily. The recommended PSI will be embossed on the sidewall of the tire
- Adjust for weather conditions: Make sure the tread is good when operating in Winter weather or other slippery conditions.
- Keep surfaces clean: Keep surfaces clean and free of debris. Continually running over any debris will dramatically decrease the life of the tires.
- Train your operators: Bad habits are not only unsafe, but they will wear out the tires very quickly. Things operators should avoid are the following:
- Spinning the tires
- Overloading the forklift
- Excessive unloaded travel
- Driving over debris
- Quick starts
- Quick stops
- Aggressive cornering
- Make sure you have the right tires for your application
How Long Should Forklift Tires Last?
It is also important to know how long forklift tires should last. There are top signs to be aware of that will indicate when tires are in need of replacing. Although there is no predetermined life expectancy for forklift tires, factors that will affect the tire life include:
- Usage: The number of hours the forklift is used each week is a major contributor to tire wear.
- Tire Type: Some types of tires last longer than others. Pneumatic tires typically will wear out faster than solid pneumatic tires.
- Floor Conditions: How smooth or abrasive and how clean the surface is will directly affect the tire longevity.
- Operating Conditions: The load the forklift is carrying affects the tires. Of course you don’t want to overload the forklift, but running without a load will cause the steer tires to wear more quickly due to pressure from the counterweight.
- Forklift Condition: If the forklift is not properly maintained, it may affect tire life.
- Operator Behavior: The driving habits of the operator have a tremendous impact on the tire longevity. Spinning the tires, quick starts and stops, and high speeds and sharp turns will cause tires to wear prematurely.
At Industrial Tire, we aim to provide the best products and services to our clients, so we can keep Western New York running, building, and moving forward. If you are interested in learning more about our extensive variety of products and tire services, please contact us today or call 716-842-1700.