• Problem: Chipped tread due to foreign material and slippage.
• Cause: Littered floors, jack rabbit starts, harsh braking.
• Remedy: Keep floors as clean as possible and select a tread that will give good non-skidding traction on the surface you intend to use it on.

• Problem:Separation caused by foreign material. Metal chips embed themselves into the tyre.
• Cause:Bad housekeeping and no tyre inspection programme.
• Remedy: Keep floors clean, inspect tyres periodically. Consider when tyre replacement is due changing to wire impregnated compound.

• Problem: Separation due to overload.
• Cause: Under extreme overload the rubber continuously flexes beyond its designed limit causing cracks in the tyre body.
• Remedy: Do not overload. If this is not possible, fit larger and/or wider tyres. Consider utilising urethane.

• Problem: Rubber/urethane separation caused by brake heat.
• Cause: Defectively adjusted brakes can cause as much damage and deterioration as a littered floor.
• Remedy: Check wheel brake adjustment regularly, particularly on vehicles with self-adjusting brakes.

• Problem: Base band ruined by obstruction on floor.
• Cause: Driver hit something hard so hard as to distort the heavy steel base band:- or base band fitted was too big and overlapped the wheel. Distortion of the base band will cause eventual rubber separation.
• Remedy: Fit correct size tyres; train drivers; check operating area is clear of obstruction.

• Problem:Liquids attack rubber causing deterioration and separation.
• Cause: Grease, petrol, oil, chemical, salt or brine on shop floor.
• Remedy: Wipe off tyres immediately after contact. Keep floors as clean as possible. Consider fitting oil resistant or urethane tyres.

• Problem:Punctures, blow-outs, impact fractures.
• Cause:Driving over foreign objects, running into obstacles i.e. kerbs, pallets etc.
• Remedy:Fit puncture-proof tyres. If not possible, remove or avoid obstacles.Be particularly observant when reversing.

• Problem:Tyres run flat.
• Cause:Air pressure not checked, puncture, or tyre grossly overloaded.
• Remedy:This is the most inexcusable cause of pneumatic tyre failure. Upon loss of air, driver should stop immediately. Fit punctureproof tyres.

• Problem:Uneven wear on one side.
• Cause:Steerage linkage, castor, camber and alignment faulty.
• Remedy:Inspect tyres regularly for uneven wear.

• Problem:Shreddinq and uneven wear.
• Cause:Over- or under-inflation.
• Remedy:Check for correct inflation daily or fit puncture-proof.

• Problem:Impact fractures.
• Cause:The driver obviously hits kerb or other obstruction at excessive speed.
• Remedy:Operator instruction, unlettered floors. Consider replacing with puncture-proof.

• Problem: Flat spots on tyres.
• Cause: Harsh braking, standing loads.
• Remedy:Prevent skidding stops. Unload trucks as soon as possible. Do not leave loaded overnight; even the weight of the truck can be sufficient to cause a flat spot, particularly if the machine has had heavy utilisation the previous day.

• Problem:Heat burst or cracks.
• Cause:Speed, overload, duration.
• Remedy:Reduce speed, load or frequency of cycle. If this is not possible, consider tyre of different compounding and/or size.

• Problem:Lugs torn off.
• Cause:Climbing kerbs or running over foreign objects.
• Remedy:Use ramps for climbing objects, avoid projections. If on steer wheels fit smooth tyres.

• Problem:Wheel spins inside tyre.
• Cause:Violent acceleration and braking. Overload and/or wheel spin.
• Remedy:Driver instruction. If noticed early enough it is sometimes possible to save the tyre by refitting. On some makes, a new tyre must be fitted.

• Back to Technical Information.
• Pneumatic tyres
• Pneumatic tyre filled with polyurethane.
• Solid rubber puncture proof tyres.
• Press on solid and cushion tyres.
• Urethane press-ons / Bonded tyres.

Other technical information.

• Rules for longer tyre life.

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