Tyres are one of the most important and often most neglected aspects of industrial handling vehicles. 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 09, 2007 - Tyres affect the steering, stability, braking and acceleration of forklift trucks. Overlooking these issues, or not being able to recognise them in the first instance, can have serious consequences in the long run, costing a company both time and money. Tyres are expensive items that are relatively easy to damage, and because of this, they can eat up large proportions of a company’s maintenance budget.
Furthermore, with health and safety top of the agenda there are also concerns that must be considered. Using inappropriate, badly worn or damaged tyres can expose drivers to hand/arm or whole body vibration, increasing the risk of back problems, pains and strains.
When selecting tyres for industrial applications, there are a number of key factors that should be taken into account.
Many fork lift truck owners fail to understand that using a machine to move stock around on a smooth warehouse floor will require a different tyre to a truck that is loading goods onto a HGV outside, on rough terrain. The length of journey a truck is required to undertake on a daily basis is another factor. Whether it is a long or short distance, this will affect the selection process.
Other considerations need to be taken into account as well. The type and size of the machine being used, the size of the wheel or tyre, if a special compound is required and whether the wheel is one piece, split rim or a 3-4 piece. With all these factors affecting selection, it is vitally important that you know exactly what application your tyres will be used for. This will ensure you make the right choice every time.
There are three types of tyre to choose from on the market – resilient, pneumatic and press-on bands.
Resilient tyres are the most cost effective solution for trucks that suffer most from constant punctures and excessive wear. There are a range of resilient tyres available, representing 70% of the total tyre market. Briggs’ resilient tyres go through a three stage construction process with each compound having a particular property; the base compound is high density rubber; the middle layer is premium quality rubber to ensure riding comfort, maximum reliability and to absorb shock; and the final layer is an extra thick, hard wearing tread that yields a longer life span.
The pneumatic tyre gives the best ride over a variety of terrains and is specifically designed for increased stability for wide loads or high load stacking. Suitable for a variety of environments, it offers a high quality performance for users with cost implications in mind.
The press-on band tyre is used mainly when there is a problem with height restrictions. It is a single piece tyre with a rubber compound that is moulded directly onto a steel band and simply pressed onto the wheel. Featuring a strong wearing tread, it ensures maximum uptime and the tough construction reduces cuts and chunking, even under extreme operating conditions.
Once you have selected the appropriate tyre, the key is to ensure that regular safety checks are put in place to ensure maximum machine safety and tyre life. Downtime is very expensive, therefore good tyre husbandry will usually save money.
The first thing is to look for both cracks and rusts on the rims, as these can lead to repeated deflation and damage of the tyre. Next, look for the tell-tail signs indicating that the wheels are working lose on the axle, such as rusty marks – this can be a major safety risk and can ruin the wheel or badly damage the axle. To prevent this, always tighten to the manufacturer’s recommended torque and in the correct sequence.
Another tip is to keep a record of tyre wear and damage by making close visual checks. Such information can be invaluable in detecting recurring problems and tracing the causes of the problem. Running at the correct inflation pressure is also vital to get the right grip, puncture resistance and tread-life out of the casing. The life of a tyre is halved if it runs 30% under-inflated. Furthermore, this can cause the casing to crack on the inside.
There is no one size fits all when it comes to selecting tyres for your materials handling fleet, but by taking the time to select the appropriate model, operators can save money and increase fleet efficiency.
- 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
E.
Company Contact:
Scott Bullock
Briggs Equipment
Orbital Way
Cannock
WS11 8XW
T: 01543 430 455
W: www.briggsequipment.co.uk
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