Tyres are one of the most important safety features of any forklift and should be regularly checked and replaced as necessary. However, with a variety of options available on the market, ensuring you obtain the right tyre for the right application can be a minefield. Clive Green, Tyres Manager at Briggs Equipment, offers some expert advice in making the right selection.
July 25, 2007 - In a recent survey conducted by Briggs Equipment, more than 40 per cent of tyres fitted and ordered by customers were the wrong size and compound. It’s a worrying statistic because if the tyre footprint is the wrong size, a truck while laden or braking could easily skid out of control and ultimately lead to a tragic accident in the workplace.
Unfortunately many people measure the size of the tyre incorrectly. All too often by the time they come to measure, tyre walls are badly scuffed and sizes illegible, so the chances of ordering a new tyre from the old one are very remote. Another common problem, is that many people believe that automotive tyres are similar and don’t work with an industrial tyre supplier.
There a number of factors which determine which tyre is suitable for a specific machine and application. Firstly, it is important to look at the type and size of the machine and secondly look at the application that the truck is undertaking. To do this properly, it is essential to have a knowledge of that application because this will dictate what kind of compound the tyre should be and whether the tyre needs to have a be a pneumatic, resilient or press-on band.
Tyre measurements should also be taken differently. For example, with a pneumatic, the inflated tyre expands to fit the rim. But with a resilient it has to be the right size otherwise it doesn’t fit. The critical measurement for a resilient tyre is the third dimension which is the width between the two inside faces of the rim.
All resilient tyres should be replaced when they are worn down to the J line.
Looking at the tyres and wheel nuts should form part of any drivers daily check list but all too often its is ignored, particularly in busy multi driver operations. During any normal working day it is possible for wheel nuts to become dislodged without the driver even noticing, so it is the responsibility of the all operators to continually inspect.
- Ends -
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Briggs Equipment UK
Briggs Equipment UK Ltd is a leading materials handling service provider and sole distributor of Yale Materials Handling products in Great Britain. Providing a wide range of equipment for a broad customer base, Briggs provides innovative, tailored and cost effective solutions on a nationwide basis. With its headquarters and national support centre in Cannock, Briggs people assist and advise in the delivery of long term solutions that enable customers to develop more efficient and results driven businesses.
Media contact:
Tiffany Clowes
Changeworks Communications
T. + 44 (0) 1785 247588
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Company Contact:
Scott Bullock
Briggs Equipment
Orbital Way
Cannock
WS11 8XW
T: 01543 430 455
W: www.briggsequipment.co.uk
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