What is your forklift riding on?

A lot of weight is riding on your forklift tires. It’s the forklift’s only contact with the ground, directly affecting the stability and lifting capacity of the forklift.

Once tires are worn, the loss of tread means loss of traction and an increased risk of accidents especially when operating in conditions with wet or uneven surfaces.

Solid tires that are “chunked” no longer have proper traction and should be replaced immediately. Worn tires also affect the forklift’s ability to safely brake, accelerate, and handle a load.

It’s important to note that you cannot just replace one worn or chunked tire. You must replace both the right and left side of the drive or steer tires so that both sides will have even wear and the forklift will not become imbalanced and at risk for a tip over. Stability is especially important when moving and lifting loads at height.

Comfortable operators = productive operators!

Tires also act as the forklift’s shock absorber. Worn tires have limited ability to safely absorb shock, so the shock is transmitted through the vehicle to the operator and payload. Chunked tires create a bumpy, uncomfortable ride for the operator and may result in product damage as the load gets bounced around. Operators will feel the difference of new tires and appreciate a more comfortable ride. Operators will have less fatigue at the end of the shift and will be happier and more productive.

Extending forklift tire life

Things that cause tire wear include spinning of tires, running over debris, sharp objects, or rough surfaces; impact with pallets, racks and dock plates; overloading a forklift; leaving a load on a forklift not in use, and even some chemicals will cause tire wear. Improving these conditions will extend the life of your tires. For tips on how to extend your forklift’s tire life, read .

When to replace?

You wouldn’t drive a car with worn tires, so why let employees operate a forklift with worn tires? Rubber press-on tires should be replaced when 30% of the tire’s original tread rubber has been worn. For more guidelines on when to replace read: “When is it time to replace worn tires.”

Looking for tips to get the most out of your tires read: "15 Tips for Longer Tire Life."