It can really be simple to neglect the essential tire, when it comes to the maintenance of the lift truck. When you choose the wrong tire for your forklift, you can put huge increases on your operating costs, and more significantly increase your safety risks. If however, you choose right tire you can enjoy improved safety, significant cost-savings and an overall more efficient operation. A properly selected tire could really reduce the downtime for replacement and potentially last 40 percent longer.
The forklift tire is a quite complex component of the machinery. It is therefore, easy to choose the wrong type accidentally. There are numerous different brands of tires and types, with various compounds and treads. This means you have to be totally prepared with the correct information when you are buying tires so that you can select some safe and durable options to help extend the life of your lift truck.
The particular kind of tire selected for a forklift depends on the type of surface you would be using the machine on. Like for example, smoother surfaces and indoor applications normally utilize tires that are made from rubber and that are a smaller size. On the contrary, outdoor operations require pneumatic tires. Pneumatic tires are filled with compressed air and have a rubber tread. These features give them a good grip on surfaces which are uneven and rough.
Forklift Tire Safety
Each year, there are about 200 people killed in accidents related for forklift use. Ensuring lift truck safety, such as proper inspection practices, can all contribute in to preventing these horrible and dangerous accidents from taking place.
Pre-Work Inspection
Before each shift, the forklift's tires have to be checked. Ideally, they must have the proper air pressure, as set forth by the manufacturer. This is extremely essential because if the tire pressure is too low, the machinery can accidentally tip over when a load is being raised.
Types
For indoor work, lift trucks which have solid tires made out of rubber are the most suitable option.
Other Considerations
Occupational Health and Safety Administration or OSHA places a requirement on the frequent utilization of forklifts. These forklifts should be checked at the end of every shift. The operator should inspect the equipment for any mechanical issues and the tires need to be checked for cuts, excessive wear or obvious tire damage. Any problems which are detected should be dealt with as soon as possible to maintain safety.