WHEN TO REPLACE FORKLIFT TIRES SAFELY
As with car tires, these will need to be replaced once they have been worn down. To keep your forklift up and running, it is beneficial to check the life of your tires on your own.
As a forklift is designed, the frame is specifically created for either cushion or pneumatic tires. For cushion tires, the rule of thumb is 'to the top of the numbers'. The numbers indicate tire size on the side wall; for example, a tire may read '21x7x15'. Once the top of these numbers touch pavement, your forklift is in need of new tires. By this point, nearly 100% of the shock encountered from the road is transmitted up through the tires, the truck, and into the operator.
If your forklift uses pneumatic tires, you will see a wear ring (or band) on the side of each tire. When the wear and tear reaches this ring, it is time to replace your tires. Since some pneumatic tires are solid, it is possible to squeeze out a little more life, but it is not recommended. The chances of slipping and tipping increase as you surpass the wear ring.
Of course, when you see tires missing chunks or showing tears across the rubber, the safe move is to replace your tires right away.
THE REPLACEMENT PROCESS
Norlift provides industrial tire service with a mobile tire press. Once your tires are worn down, give Norlift a call, and we will dispatch the press equipment to your location. Be sure to contact us as soon as a need for tires arises, and please do not wait until an accident occurs.
The replacement process is similar to that of car tires with one notable difference: the pressing and mounting of new tires.
Jack up the forklift and insert wood blocking under the frame for safety.
Unscrew and remove the wheel.
Unmount the old tire from the wheel.
Attach the wheel to the tire press.
If it is a cushion tire, press the tire onto the wheel. If it is a solid pneumatic, mount the tire onto the wheel.
Reattach the wheel to the forklift and turn screws so the wheel is securely attached.
Remove the wood blocking, and lower the forklift to the ground.
Test the forklift's balance and rolling.
So long as the forklift is parked on a solid flat surface, we can replace the tires. It's that simple.
Avoid REPLACing ONE TIRE AT A TIME
We need to make one warning clear: we will not replace just one tire. Even if only one needs to be replaced, it can be unsafe to have one new tire and three worn-down tires. This makes the forklift unbalanced, and will increase the chance for tipping or skidding while carrying a load. It is a serious and unnecessary safety risk to the operator and those within the proximity.
You may ask, 'if the tire hasn't failed yet; why pay for a replacement?' Changing out forklift tires, is a easy way to avoid injury's and accidents. Compared to the cost of a forklift accident, replacing a the tires is very economical. We hope that you can use this information to better assess whether your tires need to be changed.
Call Today For New Tires!
To inquire about tire replacement, call 503-659-5438 and ask for the Parts Department.