05 May Forklift Tires
Did you know that it’s possible to spend over 30% of your forklift’s operational budget on tires? It’s true. Maintenance costs can add up, especially when operators prolong required maintenance. But you can’t simply ignore the physical state of the tires on a forklift. When an operator ignores the condition of the machine’s tires, they will likely have to spend more than intended (An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure) and earlier to replace them. And there are other costs involved as well: deteriorating tires can decrease efficiencies, and the efficiency that’s lost translates to unexpected and unnecessary costs. Deteriorating tires can also increase the chances of a workplace accident. So, here are a few tips and considerations for your forklift or fleet of forklifts to increase productivity and keep down costs.
First, you need to be sure that the tires on your machine are well-suited to the machine and operational environment. One way to be certain is to replace the tires with tires originally built to work with the machine you purchased—a straight across swap. If you have any questions about the tires you need on your machine or machines (It’s possible to need different tires based on the environmental conditions in which each machine operates) then call your forklift professional at Anderson Forklift. If the tire is a different brand than it should at least be the correct size.
When we talk about environmental factors, we’re not always talking about indoor vs outdoor use. Sometimes machines work indoors but on a floor different than smooth concrete. An indoor forklift built with tires suited to a concrete floor may not be the best choice for the intended use.
And it goes without saying that you get what you pay for in a premium tire; a forklift fitted with quality tires will only be more reliable and efficient—a premium tire will likely wear appropriately and continue to be predictably reliable until the end of its life rating.
If you have any questions about forklift tires, or are ready to speak with your forklift expert at Anderson Forklift about a new or refurbished machine, then call today.
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