Do’s and Don’ts of Tire Safety – How to Make Tires Work Safely

When choosing new bias tires, one should ensure that the ply rating matches both the application as well as the equipment. This is because the ply rating is an indication of the strength as well as the capacity to carry loads of bias tires. Therefore, the greater the ply number, the greater will be the upper limit of the permissible air pressure as well as the capacity to carry loads. If a selected tire does not have the rating to carry a load, there could be a failure, which could lead to possible hazards to safety.

If the tread pattern does not match the application, the stability, as well as the operation of the machine, could be compromised. Puncturing, overheating or tread separation of the tire could be the consequence of an unsuitable tread pattern. The owners must be aware of the numbers which correspond to a tire's tread depth, as well as the implications of these numbers for the various applications.

Naturally, a tire set will only function properly if the wheel assembly to which it is mounted is also satisfactory. Therefore, owners must never mix up components, as without proper wheels and components, there will be a risk to the tires and wheels as well as to the safety of the operator. When it comes to safety checks and the procedures of dismounting and mounting, one must conform to the guidelines provided in the databook supplied by the tire maker.

The correct inflation pressure will make the most significant impact when it comes to machine and tire performance. A frequent mistake about inflation pressure is regarding all radial and bias tires as being the same, without considering the manufacturer of the tire. For instance, certain tires come with a nylon casing that will require a greater inflation pressure when compared to a tire featuring a carcass of steel.

According to the operator, there will be various factors concerning the longevity of the tires; therefore, owners must keep records of factors such as the average distances of the hauls, maximum speeds reached and the times for each cycle; one needs to also consider the numbers of shifts, cycles completed and days worked in addition to the kinds of materials being transported by each component of equipment. By doing so, it will also be possible to predict the likely lifespan under perfect conditions and detect problems. Of course, at the outset, it is important to purchase tires that offer superior quality and are long-lasting; in this regard, an option to consider would be GRI Tires which happens to be one of the biggest tyre manufacturers.

Conforming to a daily programme for tire maintenance as well as routine rotation will help to safeguard the machine during its lifespan and prevent safety problems before they develop. At the end of the day, successfully implementing a programme for tire management will require effort from the fleet manager as well as the operators. The fleet manager should train each operator to make use of equipment with consideration to its limits and also report deviations in inflation pressure as well as any problematic conditions at the worksite.