Tips for Extending the Lifespan of Heavy Equipment Tires

When creating a maintenance program for construction equipment, a lot of people overlook tires even though they work harder than any other component of the machine. With the ongoing shortage of tires in the industry, it is more important than ever to maintain your equipment tires.

Safe tire practices will help you in protecting both your workers and your assets.

The following are a few tips that will help you in extending the life of your heavy equipment tires.

A Tire Maintenance Plan

Routine tire maintenance is an extremely important part of equipment care. If you do not already have a regular tire maintenance plan in place, it is a good idea to create one now. If you have a D10R large dozer or a CAT wheel loader and you need to extend the lifespan of its tires, a maintenance plan is the first thing you will need. Having a routine tire maintenance plan will serve you well in the long term as you will find that it protects not just your tires but your equipment as well. If you want your tire maintenance plan to work effectively, make sure that you are in sync with the operator and fleet manager. Operators should know that if they see any problems with the tire such as a difference in inflation pressure, they need to report the issue immediately to the fleet manager.

Select The Right Tires 

If you want your tires to last, you need to make sure that you are selecting the right ones from the start. If you select poor tires to save some money, you will end up regretting it later. Quality equipment lasts much longer, and your tires should have a matching ply rating to your equipment. A lot of people choose tires with a low ply rating to reduce costs. However, choosing tires with a low carrying capacity could result in equipment failure, and it can also be quite dangerous for the operators. 

Keep Your Tires Clean

No matter what equipment you are using, maintaining the tires is essential. While cleaning your tires may seem like extra work, it is very important to do so at the end of every shift. Most construction sites are covered in mud, debris, rock, and dirt. Although equipment tires look sturdy and indestructible, they can still fall prey to a buildup of debris which can lead to the tires getting damaged. Cleaning your tires at the end of every shift will ensure that they remain in good shape. 

Tire Inspections

If you inspect your tires regularly, you will be able to spot any issues before they get out of hand. Perform an inspection while you are cleaning your tires at the end of every shift. By doing so, you will be able to see if the accumulated dirt and debris has caused any damage to the tire. 

Look for any signs of punctures, irregular tread wear, or any other abnormalities with the tire. Also, make sure to check the inflation pressure as over and under inflation of tires can result in expensive problems. It is better to23 catch these issues early on so the cost of repair for the tires is low.