Forklift tires are built to endure heavy loads and challenging conditions, but sometimes, premature damage isn’t caused by wear and tear, but by a manufacturing defect. Knowing how to tell the difference is key to protecting your equipment and your investment. In this post, we’ll cover how to identify potential manufacturer defects in forklift tires, what these issues typically look like, how severe they may be, and what to do next. At Industrial Tire, we work directly with the tire manufacturer to handle warranty claims and provide timely replacements, so you don’t have to navigate the process alone.
Oversized Band Causing Tire to Shift
The image above shows a forklift tire with an oversized band, a manufacturer defect that can lead to serious problems. The band is designed to hold the tire securely on the hub—if it’s even slightly off, it can cause damage or instability. A band that’s too small won’t seat properly and can damage the tire or hub during installation. In this case, the band was slightly too large, which caused the tire to start walking off the hub just a few weeks after being installed.
This is a clear manufacturer defect and would be covered under warranty. It’s important to replace the tire immediately, if left unaddressed, it could affect the forklift’s performance and lead to further damage or safety risks.
Internal Tire Separation Due to Manufacturing Defect
An example of a manufacturer defect can be seen here, where the inside of the tire is beginning to come apart. In this case, the second layer of the rubber wasn’t manufactured properly. As the forklift operates and heat builds up during regular use, that flawed layer begins to break down from the inside out.
When constructed correctly, this internal separation wouldn’t occur. The breakdown is a direct result of improper bonding or curing during the manufacturing process. This type of internal damage is not related to wear and tear, it’s a defect and would be covered under warranty.
This issue needs to be addressed immediately, as continued use can lead to complete tire failure and compromise the safety and performance of the forklift.
Polyurethane Separation from Steel Band
This is a clear example of a manufacturer defect that would be covered under warranty. The issue here is with the adhesive used to bond the polyurethane to the steel band. Either the adhesive was defective, or an insufficient amount was applied during manufacturing. As a result, the polyurethane is separating from the band, which compromises the structural integrity of the tire.
This kind of separation isn’t limited to polyurethane tires, it can also occur with rubber press-on tires if the bonding process is flawed. Regardless of the material, this is a serious safety issue that requires immediate replacement.
Continuing to operate the forklift in this condition could lead to tire failure and pose a risk to both equipment and personnel.
Manufacturer defects in forklift tires aren’t always obvious, but catching them early can save you time, money, and unnecessary downtime. If you notice unusual damage or premature tire failure, don’t hesitate to get in touch. As the authorized dealer for the manufacturer, we’ll inspect the tire, manage the warranty claim, and handle the replacement if it qualifies—all so you don’t have to. Our goal is to make the process simple and stress-free, so you can stay focused on running your operation.
Contact Industrial Tire today at 716-842-1700 to learn more.
