Hidden Budget Bleeders: Forklift Tire Damage

Bad forklift tires could cost you $20,000 per forklift.

Forklift tires do so much more than roll. They take a lot of punishment every day. Consequently, some wear and tear is unavoidable. However, excessive wear not only ruins your tires. It can also damage other parts of your forklift, potentially racking up thousands of dollars in repair fees. Understanding the causes of forklift tire damage is the first step to protecting your repair budget.

Read on to learn:

• Common types of tire damage
• Causes of tire damage
• Solutions for avoiding damage

Common Types of Forklift Tire Damage

Fun fact: Forklifts have no shock absorbers.

Consequently, forklift tires take a real pounding every time they hit a bump or a crack. This constant wear and tear makes tires susceptible to several kinds of damage. However, each damage type indicates a different issue plaguing your forklift.

Let’s take a look at some of the most common damage types and their causes.

• Circumferential Cracking. These manifest as jagged cuts that run around the tire's sidewall. High heat generation causes this defect. Heat trapped inside the rubber presses on the sidewall, trying to escape. Eventually, cracks form where the heat forces its way out.
• Lateral or Radial Cracking. As opposed to circumferential cracking, these are a straight-line cut through the sidewall, perpendicular to the axle. These indicate loading issues. When these cracks appear on the rear tires, the problem is frequent traveling with too light a load. Conversely, lateral cracks on the front tires suggest the forklift is often overloaded.
• Chunking. When two cracks intersect, a chunk-out forms, which can tear rubber out of the tire. This type of damage is often a sign of using tires that are not suitable for your application. Rubber with insufficient tensile strength leads to this type of damage.
• Bond Failure. A bond failure is when the tire rubber separates from the baseband. Numerous factors can cause this, including heat buildup, overloading, hot brakes, and faulty ball bearings.
• Flat Spots. Flat spots on a forklift tire are generally the result of shearing and friction. Aggressive operation or dirty floors are common causes of this damage type.

Even while following best practices, tire damage can occur.

To avoid costly repairs, regular forklift tire inspections are vital.

Prevent the Need for Forklift Tire Repair

You probably noticed that some damage types share causes.

As a result, we can group general solutions for tire damage into four categories.

Energy-Related Failures

Energy-related failures are typically caused by excessive heat buildup.

Hot environments and extended run times contribute to this type of failure. The best solution is to ensure you choose a tire that is suitable for the strain put on your forklift.

Working with your forklift dealer is the simplest way to acquire the correct tires for your application.

Loading-Related Failures

These failures are the result of overloading or underloading forklifts.

Ideally, you should avoid long, underloaded runs, and you should never overload a forklift. In addition to causing tire damage, overloaded forklifts are less stable, making them more prone to potentially serious accidents.

Loading-related failures can cause both costly repairs and make your facility unsafe.

Behavior-Related Failures

Operator and warehouse staff behavior can cause flat spots, chunking, and punctures.

Operators should receive training on how aggressive operations (quick stops, sharp turns, and similar actions) put excessive wear on tires, increasing friction and wearing away the tread. Unclean floors are also a major contributor. Collaborate with your staff to maintain a clean and orderly work environment.

If clearing debris is not feasible, consider investing in puncture-resistant tires such as solid pneumatic or foam-filled pneumatic tires.

Equipment-Related Failures

Faulty parts, such as brakes or ball bearings, can lead to tire failures.

Additionally, worn-out tires can cause other forklift parts to wear prematurely. The only way to combat this failure source is with a maintenance plan.

Regular maintenance helps prevent equipment failures, ensuring your entire fleet is in optimal working order.

Maintenance Plans Prevent Forklift Tire Damage

Staying on top of maintenance is the best way to prevent tire damage and unexpected downtime.

However, staying on top of maintenance in-house can be a challenge. Let our team take that off your plate. Our comprehensive maintenance plans simplify upkeep, ensuring your forklifts and tires keep running smoothly. Our on-site technicians come to your facility and complete service calls on your schedule, taking the headache out of maintenance. We even repair, service, and maintain all types of material handling equipment. So, we can handle all your maintenance needs with a single phone call.

To learn more about forklift tires and forklift maintenance plans, contact us online or visit one of our locations:

Arkansas - Jonesboro
Alabama - Dothan, Irondale, Mobile, and Montgomery
Georgia - Atlanta
Mississippi - Richland and Tupelo
Tennessee - Jackson and Memphis

Further Reading
How to Extend the Lifespan of Your Forklift Tires
Why Are My Forklift Tires Wearing Down So Quickly?
A Beginner’s Guide to Forklift Maintenance Agreements