Welp MagazineForklifts play an integral role in many business operations. From transporting heavy inventory to cleaning up jobsites, there’s no end to the jobs they help you perform. However, it’s important that every business understand what contributes to the performance of these machines to keep them running properly.
Their tires, for one, are the leading component for supplying a forklift with its traction and maneuverability. So, when their tires start to degrade, it can mean trouble for the rest of your processes. This is how to know when to replace your forklift tires so that your equipment is always prepared for the job ahead.
Visible Chunking, Cracking, and Tearing
One of the first indicators to watch for are any visible signs of chunking, cracking, or tearing of the rubber. While forklift tires are incredibly durable, rough and bumpy terrain can cause damage to the inner lining of the product. When this occurs, tires are more likely to dry out and form these lesions along their treads. This damage reduces the tire’s ability to grip the ground, impacting its traction and level of safety during operation.
When Wear Approaches the Safety Line
You also might want to start your search for replacement forklift tires for sale if you notice they’ve worn to or past the safety line. Every forklift tire has its own designated safety line that indicated the maximum depth of the tread. Once your tires wear down to this point, there isn’t enough tread left to maintain the forklift’s grip on the road. So, it’s vital that you find replacements immediately upon noticing this.
Flat Spots Along the Tire Tread
Another way to know when to replace your forklift tires is to identify flat or balding spots along the tire tread. When tires suffer internal damage, they can start unevenly distributing stress when operating your machine. This causes some areas of your tires to wear down faster than others, impacting their lifespan and performance. Because of this, it’s often in your best interest to replace them before the problem can worsen.
Repeated Low Pressure Warnings
You may even discover that your forklift tires need replacing after looking at the control board. Like in cars, forklifts have sensors that help you monitor the air pressure in their tires. When the pressure gets too low, a warning indicator flashes, signaling that you need to refill it. If this happens often, however, this could be a sign that your tires have a leak, making it important that you find replacements right away.
Replacing your forklift tires is a crucial part of maintaining your operation’s fleet and keeping your business running. So, don’t wait for a problem to strike. Instead, focus on inspection and preventative maintenance.
