How to take care of your skid steer tires – prolong tire life and reduce wear and tear

 Skid steer tires are built for robust machines working in some of the most demanding environments and essentially, are the ‘go to’ option for all commercial usages. Thus, the need to maintain your skid steer tires while ensuring longevity is of paramount importance as you avoid being in a position where you will have to change tires repeatedly. Provided below are general tips that you can note down.

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Cleanliness is a top priority

The last thing you need to witness at the start of a brand new day is mud-caked skid steer tires which on top of being infuriating can stall your operations, costing you big money! To stay clear of such a scenario, always make sure to hose down your tires and carry out routine inspections. During such a course of action, you may discover cracks, bumps or other objects lodged in your tire which will have to be removed carefully.

Rotate your tires

If you happen to notice uneven wear then do not be alarmed as skid steer tires have a tendency to wear off based on general usage. To address this situation, look to rotate your tires which will go a long way towards ensuring that all four tires will be in good working condition.

Keep them grounded!

Having your skid steer tires firmly on the ground is important as leaving the same on roads can result in faster wear and tear when compared with the former.

All four tires must fully engage

What is meant by this is that when the bucket of the machine used is found too low underneath the load, then you will run a greater risk of placing far more strain on the back tires as a consequence of the front tires lifting. Therefore, during any stage of whatever commercial operation, the four tires must always be seen engaged on the ground. If overlooked, once again the prospect of faster wear and tear will soon be realized.

Drive carefully

Areas abundant in rubble and debris will call for machines that can absorb and address such terrain effectively. Although tire wear cannot be avoided in its entirety, one must make every effort to mitigate its effects. This is why the need to manage and drive your commercial vehicle while paying close attention to the surface is imperative and wise.

Monitor the pressure

If for example, you use pneumatic tires then you will experience a wastage in fuel should the tire pressure be below and in turn, increase the chances of a flat tire occurring in the event the pressure is high. Regardless of the above, tire wear is the result and to address the same, do invest in a tire gauge. This way the tire pressure can be monitored based on how frequent the usage is.

Rims must be safeguarded

During the course of work, the tires’ rims can be popped off in the aftermath of the rims coming into contact with an object lying around. Though rim replacement isn’t a costly affair, additional maintenance can significantly eat into your schedule.

Tires must be stored

Effective storage is a box that you must tick when dealing with the subject of taking care of your skid steer tires. For this purpose, always watch out for a cool and dry place well away from the rays of the sun. Increased exposure to direct sunlight can be detrimental leaving your tires cracked.

Never mix and match products

When you remain consistent with the products that you invest in, rest assured your work operations will move along smoothly. Fixing skid steer tires of varying brands must be done away with as each manufacturer incorporates distinct product features that work well in unison. Uneven wear can be brought about at a far greater pace if you opt for four different brands. To avoid such repercussions, always look for advice from some of the biggest tyre manufacturers in the world. In this instance, do have a read through of what GRI Tires represent.