Similar to personal automobiles, heavy construction machinery is often equipped with tires that require regular maintenance. And when proper tire maintenance is not followed, it could damage productivity or even create an unsafe environment for your workers.
As such, it’s important to keep in mind the following do’s and don’ts of tire maintenance:
DOS
- Implement a tire maintenance program to preserve the longevity of your heavy machinery. Programs should account for things like employee training, load limits and tire repair information.
- Choose the correct tread for your operating conditions. Doing so can help avoid costly deflation or overheating. Take note of your tire tread depth and consult the manufacturer of the tire to ensure you are using the proper tire conditions.
- Inflate tires properly. This means checking tire pressure regularly throughout the day and ensuring that you are using the right inflation levels specific to different tire types.
DON'TS
- Ignore your equipment’s wheels. Ensure they are in good shape and that they are mounted properly.
- Ignore your operating practices. Poor operating habits, like stopping rapidly or taking turns too sharply, can negatively impact tire longevity. Ensure operators are properly trained on their machines and that you are logging their daily statistics, like haul distances and peak speeds.
