Damaged and worn forklift tires can be a serious safety issue that creates stability issues for the forklift and its load, but forklift tire replacement is often overlooked.
Forklift Tire Design
Forklifts don’t have suspension systems like over-the-road trucks. Instead, they use a design similar to farm tractors, where the front axle is solidly mounted, and the rear axle pivots in the center to adapt to uneven surfaces. The only cushioning between the ground and the forklift comes from the rubber or air in the tires, meaning that worn or damaged tires can significantly impact ride quality and operator comfort.
Why Should You Replace Your Forklift Tires?
Upset Operators & Loads
Operating a forklift with chunked, worn, or flat-spotted tires can increase operator fatigue and stress, potentially leading to frustration and reduced productivity. When operators are distracted or uncomfortable, it can compromise focus, posing serious safety risks to themselves and others.
Increased Maintenance Costs
Forklifts running on damaged or worn tires can see a significant rise in maintenance costs. Lack of tread leads to tire spinning, generating heat, and putting extra strain on the transmission, resulting in higher fuel or battery usage. Reduced ground clearance can cause damage to the underside, while poor cushioning loosens hardware, potentially leading to leaks in the engine and transmission. Fork wear accelerates as operators may drag forks, and in electric forklifts, battery cycle time is reduced due to the increased effort needed to move.
Compromised Loads
Loads can be compromised by the constant jarring and rocking, leading to damaged product and safety issues such as an upset forklift load falling on an employee.
Damage To Your Facility
Constant jarring and rocking caused by worn tires can compromise loads, leading to product damage and creating safety hazards, such as a load falling from the forklift and injuring an employee.
Loss Of Forklift Stability
Stability of a forklift can be affected by the condition of the tires and air pressure. When solid rubber tires wear excessively on one axle, it changes the tilt angle of the mast. The severe change in maximum tilt angle can create tip over or loss of the load. Air filled forklift tires with damaged sidewalls or tread are also at risk for tip over and damaged product if a tire suddenly blows or low air pressure creates an unstable forklift that leans when loaded.
Forklift Tire Inspection
To ensure your company’s forklift tires are not worn, regularly inspect them for loss of tread, signs of separation from its band or damage. Cushion forklift tires should be measured to determine the height of the tire. An industry standard is replacing the forklift tire when it reaches just above the imprinted area with the brand name and size of the tire. For pneumatic forklifts, inspect the tires for cracks, splits or little tread.
ProLift's parts specialists are ready to assist with any questions about selecting the ideal tires for your specific forklift model and application. Tell us how we can help!
