Are Your Forklift Tires Going To Cause An Accident?

Checking your forklift tires should be part of your daily inspection routine.

By: Russell Niedzwiecki, Contributor

A forklift’s tires can either reduce the chance of accidents or cause them. Tires are truly THAT fundamental to a forklift’s operation, so we always recommend a daily tire check. It can make the difference between causing an accident and preventing one.

WHY FORKLIFT TIRES ARE IMPORTANT

Forklifts routinely bear substantial loads, and their tires are fundamental to supporting that weight. Given that the average forklift weighs about three times as much as the average car, ensuring that the tires are in top condition is crucial.

Suspension

Cars have a suspension system — springs, shock absorbers, and so on. Forklifts do not. Instead, the tires do it all, providing cushion and stability. Additionally, forklift tires carry all the weight of the forklift, plus the load and the operator.

Vibration

Worn tires cause vibration that’s passed through the seat to the operator leading to stress injuries, fatigue, and discomfort. A forklift that shakes and vibrates can cause back injuries that mean lost operator time and insurance claims.

Transmission

Uneven tire wear can cause a bent axle as well as general instability and excessively worn tires put extra strain on your forklift’s transmission, which can cause a breakdown and/or shorten the life of the lift truck. Replacing a bent axle or transmission are expensive repairs — way more expensive than replacing your forklift tires.

FORKLIFT TIRE INSPECTIONS

Forklifts routinely bear substantial loads, and their tires are fundamental to supporting that weight. © Tongpool – stock.adobe.com

Your forklift operators should understand that if they take care of their equipment’s tires, the tires will take care of them. Inspecting tires as part of the operator’s usual pre-operation inspection enhances forklift safety. Here are tire issues your operators should watch out for during an inspection:

Wear Line

This should be straight-forward since forklift tires include a wear line located above the tire size marking. If the top of a tire meets the line, it has worn down by 50%. It’s time for replacement.

Uneven Wear

Wear patterns that are deeper on one side of a tire than the other certainly indicate a need for tire replacement. However, this also indicates an underlying issue, like carrying unbalanced loads. If the issue isn’t fixed, the new tires will soon show the same pattern of uneven wear.

Chunking

If pieces of the tires are breaking off from the body, it’s time to change to new tires. Chunked tires compromise stability and cause operator discomfort due to the rough ride.

Tearing

Tears in the surface of tires are a sign that it’s time to replace them. Tears are often caused by debris the forklift’s run over. That’s why keeping floors and paths clear of debris is important for tire maintenance.

Bond Failure

This is an issue with cushion tires since they’re made by bonding the tire material to a central metal band. If you can insert a knife between the tire and band, it’s time for replacement.

Radial Cracking

This can happen with both solid pneumatic and cushion tires. If a forklift is overloaded, radial cracks can appear on the tires due to heat build-up.

Flat Spots

Aggressive braking or braking at high speeds can cause flat spots on tires. Replace these tires, and train drivers about the importance of operating forklifts at reasonable speeds.

FORKLIFTS ARE NOT CARS

The average forklift is three times heavier than the average car. The counterbalance weights in the rear of your forklift are there to balance the weight of the cargo on the forks. While cars feature brakes that apply to all four wheels, most forklifts only have breaking power on the front drive wheels. So why does that matter?

All these factors make forklifts more challenging to stop. If you use substandard tires, you increase the risk of issues like tip-overs, load loss, stability problems, and accelerated wear and tear. Quality tires in good condition enhance the efficiency of your forklifts and improve safety for operators.

REGULAR TIRE INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT

Make checking your forklift tires part of your daily inspection routine. Replacing worn tires is essential for maintaining a safe and efficient working environment. To ensure balanced wear, it is advisable to replace all four tires simultaneously. Here are some key signs that indicate that your tires might need replacing:

• Tearing, Chunking, and Separation: Replace your tires immediately if you notice tearing or chunking, or if the tire is starting to separate from the rim.
• Flat/Bald Spots: Regularly check for evenness and tread loss. Tires with flat or bald spots compromise traction and should be replaced.
• Wear Beyond the ‘Wear Line’: Most forklift tires feature a 50% wear line. If wear surpasses this mark, it’s time for a replacement.
• Reduced Tire Height: The original tire height is marked on each tire. A reduction of 2 inches or more necessitates a replacement to avoid excess strain on your forklift, which can lead to premature wear. WMHS

Russell Niedzwiecki is Corporate Trainer for TrainMOR, a company dedicated to the safety of operators and their co-workers. He has provided powered industrial truck operator, mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) and Train the Trainer courses for more than 10,000 people for more than 800 companies throughout Michigan and Indiana. Morrison Industrial Equipment offers a mobile industrial tire service. Call 833-633-0256 for a free, no obligation tire survey. Learn more at https://www.trainmor.com/