Signs that it’s getting close to replacement time

Making sure you replace your tires before the end of its life is critical in ensuring that your machine operates at the optimal level and minimizes any downtime. Like everything in life, being consistent and up to date with maintenance can ensure that your machine has its maximum life. Here are some indicators that it is getting close to the time to replace your tires:

• The tire tread has worn out.
• If your tire has pieces “flaking” or peeling off not due to any hard impact.
• Significant loss of traction or an increased concern for safety.

It is good practice to examine your tires throughout their lifespan and use on machines. We conduct tire surveys on fleets for larger heavy equipment. This critical data allows us to develop and evolve our tire rubber compound continually. Additionally, regular inspections of your tires will ensure maximized tire wear and ensure site safety. Here are some routine maintenance tasks you can perform on your tires:

• For large loader tires (20.5 x 25 and above), make sure your tires are no more than 2 inches of difference between your front tires and rear tires. If so, rotate them to get the maximum wear out of your tires.
• On all tires, make sure there is no debris stuck inside the treads of the tires. Debris could potentially rip out parts of the tire and reduce the tire’s life.

Signs that you have exceeded the life of your tires

Here are some characteristics of a tire that has exceeded its lifespan and needs to be replaced:

• You start seeing layers of rubber that have nylon cords or fibers in them. That is an indicator that you’ve worn through the wearable rubber layer and started to wear into the center layer that holds the tire together.
• If you’re starting to see that your tires are completely bald and pieces of rubber are peeling off, you need to change your tires immediately.   

Risks of using your tires after it’s time to replace them