With material handling as the backbone of the economy, forklifts serve an integral role in uploading goods and materials. Forklift tires play a major role in ensuring operator’s safety and maximizing productivity; whether it’s an indoor or outdoor operation. It’s important to tell when it’s time to change your tires.
Benefits of proper tire care include:
- Increased tire life
- Increased productivity
- Reduced fuel consumption.
- Improved operator comfort
- Safer operation
At MAXAM, we not only make it our mission to innovate and to bring consistent performance and value that you deserve, but also for the safety and livelihood of our customers and end users. Below are nine warning signs that help you identify damaged tires.
- Blow-out
Even solid material handling tires can blow out and have severe cracks on sidewalls. Blow-outs are often caused by heat buildup due to high duty cycles, heavy load sand long runs. Replace with larger tires that have special compound to meet the demand of your operations.
- Base/cap separation
Base/cap separation is when a solid resilient tire’s base separate from the cap and it looks similar to a blow-out. This happens due to excessive heat buildup from high duty cycle and long runs. The cause could be a production issue and that the tire wasn’t cured properly.
- Bond separation
This occurs when press-on tire’s rubber separates from the steel band due to excessive heat buildup and long/high duty cycle. The cause could be a production issue and that the tire wasn’t cured properly.
- Radial Cracking
When you see cracks radiating on the sidewall of the tire all around, this is a sign that you’re overloading; when your loads exceed the rated capacity of the tire. Replace with tires that have special compounds that meet the demand or get wider tires.
- Steer tire overload
Similar to radial cracking, caused by overloading above the rated capacity of the tire. Replace with tires that have special compounds that meet the demand or get wider tires.
- Chipping and chunking
If the tire has chips and chunks missing, this is a sign that you’re running over debris, broken floors and other things that should not be on the floor. Ensure your floor maintenance is being conducted, along with operator training.
- Pitting or cupping
If you see the tire with some cupping and dents on the surface, this is the result of bearing problems. Be sure to repair your equipment ASAP.
- Uneven wear
Uneven wear of the tire is caused by misalignment of forklift axles, be sure to repair your equipment ASAP.
- Flat spots
When you find flat areas on the surface if the tire, this is a sign that operators are spinning the tires and skidding to stop. Conduct an operator training and consider replacing tires that have more traction.
Keeping your tires in good condition may require some time and effort but ensures maximum productivity, safer workplace, and better efficiency. For more tire tips and information, contact your local MAXAM Tire sales manager to get best customer service and support you need.
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