Burning cash and rubber?
August 1st 2009 The Industrial Tyre Association is calling for more action to reduce the risks of making false economies when it comes to selecting and fitting industrial tyres
Leading figures in the tyre industry have voiced their concerns over the hazards of failing to adhere to strict standards when purchasing and fitting industrial tyres. At the Industrial Tyre Association (ITA), evidence of cutting corners during the economic downturn to save costs on tyres have left many alarmed. “When money is tight it can be tempting to buy cheap tyres or to delay replacing worn ones,” says ITA chairman, Len Sambrook (pictured). “But tyres are such an integral part of a forklift or industrial truck that by taking responsibility and following strict standards of specification and fitting of tyres users can significantly reduce the lifetime cost of the machine. Most of the time economies made around tyres are false economies in the long run.”
ITA points out that tyres are often the most overlooked part of a truck. But specifying the right type of tyre can affect the lifting, stability and braking distances of an industrial truck, as well as improve its fuel economy. The use of an inferior product will severely impact not only the truck’s performance but also the health and safety of the operator.
“Tyres are the most exp ensive consumable item, yet a higher quality tyre, specified and fitted correctly has a significant impact on the lifetime cost of the machine,” continues Sambrook. “Not only will they last longer, they will give better shock absorption thereby reducing the wear and tear on the more expensive components of the machine. And there is also a raft of health and safety considerations involved in the use of industrial tyres.”
ITA aims to help companies purchase the best type of tyre for their machines, and ensure that they are fitted and used expertly. In line with this, it has launched a new website and is calling for more members to join the association to promote best practice.
ITA was founded 20 years ago and operates as a professional body setting standards of best practice. Its membership, which includes Solideal, Continental Tyres, Trelleborg, Michelin and ATS Euromaster, is drawn from tyre businesses, suppliers of related components or products, and businesses which service and fit industrial tyres and related products.
Top tips on tyre selection and fitting
Clive Green, Vice Chair of the Industrial Tyre Association (ITA), offers 10 expert top tips on the selection and fitting of the right tyres
Tyre selection
1. Review the tyres life span - Before tyre selections are made, it is crucial that you review the truck/s in question to determine which type of tyre is most suitable for replacement. Look at the life span of the old tyres making sure they have met the standard uptime hours. These are: a. Drive tyres – 2,500 hrs approx b. Steer tyres – 1,000 hrs approx If they don’t, it is likely that you do not have the right tyres.
2. Think ahead - Always keep in mind what operations the machines will be carrying out. If they are due to change, then it is likely that a different type of tyre will be needed to meet that operation.
3. Review ride characteristics – Make sure to review the ride characteristics, if the operators find the machines too uncomfortable to drive, or don’t feel safe, it is likely that you do not have the right tyres, which may reduce productivity rates.
4. Surfaces make a difference – Different surfaces require different tyres. Make sure you select tyres that are made for the surfaces on which your trucks will be operating. If the wrong tyres are selected, this could result in accidents, unnecessary tyre ware, damage and punctures, feeding into your damage and maintenance costs.
5. Treat tyres as an investment – It is a common fact that a lot of companies are buying the cheapest tyres and delaying replacements to keep costs to a minimum. Companies need to treat the purchasing of tyres as an investment rather than a cost. Having the right tyres reduces accidents, break downs and maintenance, resulting in cost savings in the long run.
6. Reduce fuel costs – Make sure you select the correct tyres to fit your machine’s weight. With the correct tyres, the less you will need to spend on fuel.
7. Invest in the premier brand - Most premier brand tyres are three stage tyres. They are more resilient, have a better life span, and increased reliability.
Fitting
1. Only use trained fitters - When it comes to choosing a company that fit tyres, make sure they have trained their fitters properly. You can do this by requesting to see their training certificate.
2. Risk Assessments - Make sure the fitting company offer risk assessments on site.
3. Correct press tooling - Make sure the press tooling adheres to the correct health and safety measures.
4. Do a 24-hour follow-up – Once the tyres have been fitted, make sure to do a follow-up within 24 hours by getting an operator to check that the wheel nuts are still securely fastened.
5. Ensure you have disposal knowledge – If your old tyres are not being re-used, make sure you know the legal way of disposing them.
www.industrialtyres.org
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