0 7 tips to help forklift operators increase warehouse safety

Habits of the safest forklift operators in Queensland

In our last article, we asked, are your forklift inspection routines putting your business at risk? With around four deaths caused by forklift accidents every year in Australia, in this article, we give you seven tips on how to operate your forklift safely in the workplace. These are the habits of the best forklift operators in Queensland.

1.    Communicate constantly

Even though as a forklift operator you’re in something of a cocoon in the cab, communication with those around you is probably one of the most important things to do. Constantly making sure that people know what you’re doing and where you’re going helps in two ways. First, they’ll be warier of your presence. Second, you’ll be warier of theirs.

2.    Always secure the load

Hard-to-handle loads are more prone to topple. Unevenly distributed loads are more likely to cause forklift instability. Never transport an unsecured load on a forklift: one item falling can lead to a domino effect, and suddenly the entire load has gone.

3.    Plan your route around the warehouse

Warehouses can be busy, complex places. Make sure you know where you are going and how to get there. Some channels may be too narrow or have dangerous obstacles. Operating a forklift can be challenging and enjoyable, but a warehouse is not a slalom course or a racetrack. Always select the easiest and safest route around a warehouse, even if it’s a little further to travel. Be careful of other warehouse users, too: you may have to wait while another process is being completed.

4.    Park up safely when your shift has finished

Always park in an authorised location, lower the fork, set controls to neutral, put the brake on, turn off the ignition, and remove the key.

5.    Inspect your forklift regularly

Your pre-shift forklift inspection is the most important one to make. Check everything from oil and water to seatbelts, electrics, and coolants. Don’t neglect the check: it could save lives.

6.    Pay special attention to battery and hydraulic fluid

Your battery needs to be fully charged, and your hydraulic levels must be maintained. A mishap with either of these could cause a breakdown or fork failure. If this happens, you could be the cause of a serious accident in the warehouse.

7.    Know the forklift tyre warning signs

Your forklift tyres are integral to the job your forklift does. They are often the most overlooked piece of forklift equipment. When you inspect your forklift, don’t forget the tyres. Here are the warning signs that your tyres need to be replaced, which are different for pneumatic and cushion tyres:

• Wear and tear take its toll on pneumatic forklift tyres. You should inspect for cuts, grazes, and tread wear. Look at inner and outer edges and the centre of the tyre for signs of balding. If the cord is visible, the tyre needs replacing immediately.
• On cushion tyres, you should look out for flat spots, tearing, and cracks. These issues have different causes, and if they are happening regularly then you should have a tyre expert help you to identify why. If your tyres have worn down to the 50% wear line, you should replace the tyre immediately.

Worn or poorly inflated forklift tyres are one of the main causes of poor forklift safety in the warehouse. Worn tyres make for an unstable forklift, an uncomfortable drive, and they add to fuel consumptions and maintenance cost.

To find out about our comprehensive tyre services for forklift operators in Queensland, contact Darra Tyres today.

Keeping your business and fleet safely on the road,

Kevin Wood

0 Are your forklift inspection routines putting your business at risk?

What should forklift operators check, and when?

While most forklift accidents are caused by the operator (they get complacent about safety, and push boundaries to speed up work processes), many could be avoided with a daily forklift inspection. In this blog post, you’ll learn what your forklift operators should be checking before they begin work and at the end of a shift.

How bad can a forklift accident be?

It’s easy to assume that a forklift accident will, at worst, lead to damaged goods, or perhaps a mechanical problem with the forklift. Unfortunately, statistics show otherwise. According to Safe Work Australia, since 2003 there have been 61 deaths caused by forklift accidents in Australia.

In addition to these fatalities, there are regularly more than 900 serious injury claims each year, because of forklifts. A serious injury claim is one that causes one week or more of lost time from work. The industries where most serious injury claims are made are manufacturing, followed by transport, postal, warehousing, wholesale, and then retail.

And get this: the average time off work as a result of incidents with forklifts in 2014/15 was 5.4 weeks, at an average cost of $11,043 per claim.

Australian industry is losing, on average, around 4,860 weeks of productive work, just because of forklift accidents!

How can you reduce forklift accidents in the workplace?

To reduce the number of accidents, injury claims, and fatalities caused by forklifts in the workplace, it is, of course, essential that forklift operators observe forklift handling rules always. Regular training and retraining may be necessary, and supervisors should emphasise safety over speed.

However, over and above operator error, many injuries and fatalities could be avoided by ensuring equipment is properly inspected before and after the operation. Unfortunately, forklift inspections are often neglected, with sometimes catastrophic results.

When should forklift inspections be carried out?

Operators should certainly inspect their forklifts before starting work. Yes, the warehouse may be busy, and the forklift operator will get the blame for holding up loading and delivery. Truck drivers are waiting, and their time is running down. But none of this is an excuse for shoddy safety routine.

Checking the forklift at the beginning of the shift should be the operator’s first priority. It could save their life and the lives of others. When the shift is finished, the operator should inspect the tyres again.

There is no excuse for not inspecting your forklift before a shift begins or when a shift ends. Forklift operators, supervisors, and the business should ask themselves what is more important – avoiding a ten-minute delay in delivery, or avoiding a death or serious injury on site?

What if problems are found?

If a problem is uncovered during a forklift inspection, there is only one course of action to take: pull the forklift from service. Get the problem fixed. If the forklift’s tyres are the issue, have them repaired onsite. The forklift should not be put back into operation until it is deemed safe to do so.

What should be on your forklift inspection checklist?

Each operator should have a pre-operational checklist to complete. Forklift manufacturers may supply examples, but you may need to update and modify according to your actual operations. A simple tick list of checks will ensure the operator carries out a thorough inspection, and that your operation is a safer place to work.

Here are a few suggestions as to what should be checked at every inspection:

• Check oil, water, and hydraulic fluid level
• Check and test mast chains
• Make sure that the load backrest functions properly
• Check finger guards
• Test seatbelts, horns, and lights
• Check the brakes and steering
• Look for visible signs of forklift damage
• Examine electrics, including cables, wires, and batteries
• Take notice of coolant levels, and ensure air filters and radiators are in good condition
• Check the condition of forklift tyres – look for cuts and gouges
• Check forklift tyre pressures

Also, the operator’s manual and log book should be with the vehicle always.

Check your forklifts and stop costly accidents occurring

It’s simple really. Any accident at work will harm your business. There will always be a cost involved. At best, this may be a few hours of work lost. At worst, an employee or workplace visitor could pay with their life. Your company’s reputation will suffer, as will its finances.

Ensuring that your forklift operators carry out pre-shift checks and complete a comprehensive checklist will help to reduce accidents in your workplace – all of which are avoidable.

On top of the obvious safety issues, regular checks will mean problems are discovered early. Downtime will be reduced, as will maintenance costs: caught early, small maintenance issues shouldn’t become large and expensive mechanical problems.

To find out about our comprehensive tyre services for forklift operators in Queensland, contact Darra Tyres today.

Keeping your business and fleet safely on the road,

Kevin Wood

0 How truck fleet managers can reduce the top cause of breakdowns in Queensland

A truck tyre strategy for every day and roadside emergencies

In studies across Australia and around the world, tyres are the number one reason trucks break down while on the road. In this article, you’ll find out how you can reduce tyre issues while your truck is on the road, and what to do if you do break down on the roads around Brisbane and Queensland.

Cutting costs is a top priority for Australian truck fleets

It’s likely that your fleet is already investing heavily in cutting costs.

• Recently, we’ve discussed how routing software helps fleet managers to more easily optimise routes on the fly and in real time. It helps keeps trucks on the road for longer, and should help smaller fleets and single truck owners thrive in a challenging environment.
• We’ve also considered that the era of the executive truck driver could be upon us, with a single driver in charge of a convoy of autonomous trucks platooning around Queensland and the rest of Australia.

However, the competitive and cost benefits of modern technology and new working routines will be lost with truck breakdowns. So why do they happen, and what could they cost you?

What could a roadside breakdown cost you?

A roadside breakdown often triggers a domino topple of costly actions. You may need your truck to be towed. There will be downtime. You will probably have to dispatch another truck. You have a driver with wasted hours.

And the money saved by platooning a convoy could be a drop in the ocean compared to the damage a single truck breakdown within the convoy could cause: dozens of missed deliveries or pick-ups, and a previously unblemished reputation shattered. You could lose customers.

How likely are tyres to be the cause of roadside breakdowns?

Tyres are the number one cause of truck breakdowns on the roads, but just how much more likely is your truck to suffer a tyre issue than any other while on the road?

The most telling data available comes from FleetNet America. They compiled data from 60,000 truck repair vendors across the United States, over a five-year period. The research found that one in four roadside truck breakdowns was because of tyre problems. Tyres cause roadside problems twice as often as brakes.

What a difference it could make to your fleet costs and efficiency if you never had a tyre failure, or when you did, it was dealt with more quickly.

Use a strategy to help your tyres last longer

Improved maintenance procedures should help to reduce tyre problems on the road. In our blog post ‘Truck tyres in Brisbane – tyre management strategies that slash costs’, we detailed a 7-step fleet tyre management strategy to cut tyre costs:

1. Purchase the best tyres that fit the required purpose
2. Track truck tyres from day one
3. Delegate responsibilities
4. Create a tyre maintenance policy and set out procedures
5. Carry out regular tyre cleaning
6. Decide on a tyre replacement and buying policy
7. Analyse why tyres have been scrapped

With a comprehensive tyre maintenance strategy in place, the occurrence of tyre failures while your trucks are on the road should drastically reduce. But there will still be occasions when even the best tyre maintenance program can’t stop a tyre failure on the road. How you handle this could be the difference between retaining and losing customers.

Your on-the-road tyre emergency plan

Before your trucks leave the depot, make sure that your drivers are prepared for a tyre failure on the road:

• Ensure that mobile phones and radio systems are fully charged and that drivers have fully charged spare batteries onboard
• Drivers should have contact details for all customers on their route – phone numbers, email addresses, and social media accounts – to warn them of altered delivery times as soon as they can
• Routes should be checked for accidents, roadworks, and other obstacles (e.g. weather) before leaving the depot
• Check that the truck is fitted with emergency equipment, including jacks, fire extinguishers, food and water
• Emergency numbers of 24/7 roadside maintenance and repair services

While prevention is always better than cure, it pays for your truck fleet to be prepared for all eventualities.

To find out about our comprehensive services for truck owners and fleets, including our 24/7 truck and commercial mobile service – covering Queensland from south of Southport to north of Warana and east of Laidley – contact Darra Tyres today. Your fleet should never be stranded on roads in and around Brisbane again.

Keeping your business and fleet safely on the road,

Kevin Wood

0 What do truck operators need to ensure success in the new environment?

Is your truck operation prepared to benefit from the retail revolution?

As business conducted online is increasing, the opportunities for truck and haulage companies are growing. That’s great news for truck operators. However, much of the retail growth is likely to be in the ‘fast delivery’ space, where the competition for retailers is fierce. Competitors promise better delivery services.

Consequently, though there are opportunities for truck operators, there are also hurdles that must be negotiated – what happens if your truck breaks down, or you have a tyre blow-out during operations?

Who delivers the retailers’ products?

Very few retailers have their delivery trucks. They don’t do haulage for several reasons. One is it’s not their area of expertise. Cost is also a factor: contracting services are usually cheaper than building and running their own. Instead, they use national and local haulage companies to deliver their products. For example, Amazon mostly uses UPS or FedEx.

It said, smaller operators can be more flexible. Some national haulage companies don’t operate on a Saturday: more opportunity for independents.

How tight is the market for retailers?

It’s likely that more retailers will need to offer more efficient and faster delivery services to meet the competition head-on. The pace of life is increasing, and people are becoming happier to order online rather than spend time travelling to the city, parking, shopping, and then returning home. Time is saved, and aggravation avoided. The delivery cost is deemed good value for money, and so those retailers that deliver to the door promptly are increasing their market share.

If we take this developing market to its natural conclusion, every retailer will offer delivery. If we assume that there is little difference in the quality of goods, then, to beat their competition, retailers will begin to rely on their delivery capability as the differentiator. The faster and more efficient delivery provider will gain market share.

For truck operators in this market, the capability to offer fast, efficient, and reliable services is likely to prove to be a winning formula. But while this business can be very lucrative to the haulage company or owner-driver, there may be penalties for late deliveries written into contracts. The ultimate sanction would be a loss of the contract.

Uptime is a critical factor for a truck owner-driver’s success

There’s not a lot you can do about traffic on the road. You can plan your routes and timings, but a road traffic accident, unexpected roadworks, or other obstruction can cause problems. However, all such issues can be excused – what happened to your deliveries in such circumstances would have happened to others.

But other events won’t be excused by retailers. The worst roadside problems always happen at the most inconvenient times. A breakdown or blown tyre will hamper deliveries, harm your record, and could cost you your living. You shouldn’t hope for the best without planning for the worst.

What today’s truckers need to meet the retail need of tomorrow

If you don’t have emergency breakdown cover, you could be jeopardising your business. Here at Darra Tyres, we’re already beginning to see an increase in the use of our Raid Response service, as the call on truck and haulage operators increases. This service offers a 24/7 emergency breakdown coverage for truck operators, ensuring you get back on the road with minimal fuss and maximum speed. One of the most used features is the tyre repair and replacement service – it’s surprising the toll that Brisbane’s roads can take on a vehicle, its wheels, and tyres.

Your success depends upon uptime. If you don’t choose the right tyres and haven’t got the best roadside service agreement, then you are putting your business at risk. With all these elements in place, your ability as a truck operator will be given a chance to drive your future business success.

Contact Darra Tyres today and make sure you are properly prepared to profit from the retail revolution as it gathers pace in Queensland. Never be stranded on roads in and around Brisbane again.

Keeping your business and fleet safely on the road,

Kevin Wood

0 9 tips to get the best from your off-road truck tyres in Queensland

How to drive safe and sure when you’re off-road

Goodyear’s Wrangler DuraTrac tyre was recently voted the best off-road truck tyre by readers of ‘Off Road’ magazine. It’s the fifth year running that it’s won the accolade, and once more the tyre polled over 20% of the votes from 20,000 readers. Goodyear has now won best off-road tyre in the annual poll every year that the magazine’s readers have been surveyed.

Goodyear’s Chief Marketing Officer for Europe said, “This award is particularly important for us because the readers of ‘Off Road’ magazine are true experts with high demands when it comes to off-road tyres. It shows that the Wrangler DuraTrac lives up to its promises.”

In this article, you’ll learn how to get the best from the Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac tyre, or any other off-road truck tyre you buy.

1.    Drive with momentum rather than acceleration

When you’re driving in muddy conditions, or through sand, avoid the temptation to put your foot down on the accelerator. Instead, you should accelerate into the mud or sand and use your momentum to travel, keeping your speed constant. It will prevent your truck tyres from spinning, losing traction, and becoming stuck.

2.    Select the right gear and turn off the ‘diff lock’

It’s best to drive in a lower gear and make your engine work harder when driving through mud or sand. If your truck has a differential lock (a diff lock) make sure it’s turned off. The diff lock makes sure that wheels on the same axle rotate at the same speed. On smooth roads this is great, but off-road you’ll want to allow the wheels to rotate with resistance. A wheel with less resistance will spin faster, and you’ll get more grip.

3.    Don’t fight resistance, and brake gently

As you drive off-road, you’ll come across a range of different terrains. You’ll meet resistance, too. Don’t fight this. Go with the flow. Your off-road truck tyres will find the best route through.

When driving through mud or sand, deflate your tyres a little. It increases the footprint and helps you to accelerate in a lower gear as you build momentum to carry you through. Always accelerate and brake gently.

4.    Plan the course ahead

As you are driving through different terrains, try to plan the course you want your vehicle to take. Rocky outcrops are particularly tough on truck tyres, and sand can hide sharp rocks below. These could slash your tyres and damage your truck. Remember, your tyres will try to find a way through, so don’t fight resistance. Instead, use it to inform your course.

5.    Don’t drown the engine!

When you’re crossing a river or flood, take extra care. You may not see rocks in the water. Sandy bottoms can quickly suck you in. Look at the terrain around the water to figure out what type of river bed you are probably dealing with.

Take note of the flow of water if you are crossing a river. It can tell you a lot about how you should traverse the river, and where you should enter and exit.

Disconnect or jam the fan belt to avoid it damaging the radiator or causing water to splash over your vehicle’s electrics.

Drive at a steady speed, and once clear of the water brake gently to lose water from the brakes. Stop, check the truck over. Look at the engine, gearbox, and axle oil for signs of water. If the oil is a milky colour, it means water has mixed with it. If this is the case, you’ll need to drain the oil and replace before continuing.

6.    Drive with company

It’s always best to make off-road trips with at least two vehicles. If you get stuck, the other vehicle can haul you out (providing you have the right equipment – tow ropes and shovels, for example).

7.    Remember that your company changes terrain

The vehicle in front of you will change the terrain as it passes over it. Rocks get dislodged, and mud and sand become ridged and rutted. Coming out of rivers, banks can become extra slippery. Watch for changing terrain and alter course and momentum accordingly.

8.    Know how to get unstuck

Everyone gets stuck at least once when driving off-road. Here’s how to get unstuck:

• Don’t panic.
• Attempt to reverse the way you came, slowly.
• If this doesn’t work, start digging!
• Dig around your truck tyres to clear a run-off.
• Place the mats or branches where you have dug to provide your off-road tyres with extra grip.
• Use a low gear to creep through, accelerating slowly to build momentum.
• If you are with company, if it’s possible to do so always have them pull you out.

9.    Buy the very best off-road truck tyres you can afford

Finally, don’t neglect your tyres when planning an off-road trip. Check your tyres before you leave, and make sure they are the best your budget can buy. And, whatever you do, do not neglect your spare.

Contact Darra Tyres today and make sure you are properly prepared to go off-road in Queensland. We have an extensive range of off-road and truck tyres to suit all vehicles and budgets.

Keeping your family and fleet safely on the road,

Kevin Wood

0 Which repair is best for my agricultural tyre?

How to tell a poor repair, and which tyre specialist to use

If your agricultural tyre is damaged, you’ll have two types of repair that you could make: temporary and permanent. In this article, you’ll learn how to spot that your tyre repair has been bodged.

When might you need a temporary agricultural tyre repair?

Temporary repairs should only be made to get your vehicle or machinery back to the yard. Patches should not be used for more than 24 hours, and may not be possible if the damage is too large. For this type of damage, you should have the tyre repaired permanently.

You might be tempted to make a temporary repair, especially if time is tight (when isn’t it?), but a professional repair will prolong the life of your tyre and save money and time in the long run.

Do you need a permanent agricultural tyre repair?

Permanent repairs are more expensive than temporary fixes. This cost saving, though, is as temporary as the temporary. A temporary repair could be a false economy.

When considering which type of repair is best for your agricultural tyre, you should consider what work it will be doing. The heavier the load and tougher the ground, the harder your tyre will need to work. A temporary fix could fail fast.

It’s very tempting to make a temporary fix on tyres that are used on handling equipment. A temporary repair is quick and cheap, and the equipment is only used in a confined area and only now and again. But what if the tyre fails? Suddenly you have an expensive repair, and, most importantly, you’re putting the operator at risk.

What type of permanent repair is best?

When a tyre is repaired permanently, the repair can be made by hot or cold vulcanising. You should know the difference before deciding which you need.

Vulcanisation is the tyre equivalent of welding. Using sulphur, the tyre and patch are bonded together, making a permanent seal.

Hot vulcanising is faster than cold, and best for larger damage. However, it requires specialist equipment, and your tyre will need to be sent away for repair.

For smaller repairs in the centre of the tread, cold vulcanising may be best. The repair will take a day to make, with the tyre and patch bonded at 18 degrees Celsius. Usually, this process can be made at a tyre shop, though it may be necessary to send the tyre away for repair, depending on the extent of the damage.

If you decide on the wrong type of repair, even if it is done perfectly the result could be as bad as the right repair done poorly. Always take advice from a tyre specialist before making your decision.

How can you tell a bodged tyre repair from a good one?

There are several giveaway signs that a temporary repair has been bodged. These include:

• Rough edges to the repair
• The patch is pulling away
• Bulges are visible
• Multiple repair patches

If you spot any of these conditions, you should stop using the tyre immediately and take it to a tyre specialist for a full examination. Multiple repair patches are a sign that the wrong type of repair has been made, and made badly.

Poor permanent repairs are harder to detect because most of the work is internal. A spectrometer is needed to inspect the tyre. It is like an X-ray for tyres and examines behind what might look like a perfect patch on the outside.

How can I tell which repairer to afford?

If a tyre repairer is offering a bargain basement price on a tyre repair, the chances are that you’ll get a bargain basement repair. Agricultural tyres and repairs are the same as most commodities – you get what you pay for. If your agricultural tyre is damaged, have it checked by a reputable tyre specialist.

Contact Darra Tyres today and get your damaged agricultural tyre checked by the professionals. We’ve been serving South and West Brisbane for more than 40 years, supplying all major brands and at all price points.

Keeping your family and fleet safely on the road,

Kevin Wood

0 The perils of over or underinflating agricultural tyres

How to work with the optimum footprint in all conditions

Agricultural tyre pressure is one of the most important factors in getting the best from your tractor and other farming vehicles. Many operators run their agricultural tyres with the wrong inflation. In this blog post, I’ll examine the consequences of getting the air pressure wrong on your agricultural tyres, and how to ensure you run your tyres at the optimum footprint.

Be prepared for expensive field work with the wrong tyre pressure

Your tyres are hugely important in the field. The wrong tyre pressure will affect vehicle performance. Soil will be compacted and crop production affected. And poorly inflated tyres wear faster and damage more easily. Many operators ballast their tyres in attempts to increase performance.

Manufacturers’ studies have shown that incorrect tyre inflation can mean as much as a 40% loss of engine power. It is caused by slipping and poor rolling resistance. Add this to power loss from the transmission and additional equipment, and you’re looking at up to a 50% reduction in power. This amount of power loss puts an incredible strain on a tractor’s engine. It must work harder and uses more fuel. Repair and maintenance issues will increase. All this adds up to a big hit on your pocket.

Functionality depends on footprint

Increased traction depends upon its footprint – the amount of tyre surface area in contact with the ground. The greater the footprint, the greater the traction. So, you would think that running agricultural tyres at the lowest possible inflation would increase efficiency because a larger footprint gives less wheel slipping, and results in longer tyre life and less soil compaction. Wins all round. But it’s not quite this easy.

Agricultural tyres must also carry loads without causing damage to their construction. When this happens, all bets are off. Damage to tyres increases, power is harmed, and costs increased. So, it’s imperative that you run your tyres at the optimum pressure for optimum results.

Agricultural tyre footprint – a constantly changing factor

The optimum tyre footprint doesn’t simply depend on tyre pressure. It also depends upon the load being supported and the tyre size, and ground being driven on. The optimum footprint will constantly change, as the load being carried changes. So, you need to reach a happy medium.

How you do this is to stick within the tyre manufacturer’s guidelines – the tables they produce on tyre sizes, maximum loads, tyre pressures, and speeds. Operate a tyre at 10% below its stated optimum pressure, and you’ll decrease its life by 15%.

The perils of overinflation of agricultural tyres

It’s not only underinflation that can affect tyre life and performance in the field. Over-inflation will increase the likelihood of tyre damage and more. For a start, driving on overinflated tyres will hit your driver hard. Every bump reverberates up the spine. Comfort reduces, and performance isn’t far behind. It is indicative of what over inflation does to tractor performance – wear and tear on tyre and vehicle increases. You’ll use more fuel, increase soil compaction, and reduce tyre life.

What’s worse – overinflation or underinflation?

There isn’t much difference between the effects of overinflation and underinflation. A 20% overinflated tyre causes 30% loss in performance, while a 20% underinflated tyre will cost you 26% of your performance.

However, if you drive your tractor on the road with underinflated tyres, the lugs will start to wear faster. Your rear lugs will be more severely damaged. It could cause bead slip – and leads to rapid destruction of the tyre.

Check your tyre pressure regularly

Neglecting your tyre pressures on your agricultural vehicles will impact your bottom line.

An underinflated tyre will increase fuel consumption, lead to sidewall damage, uneven wear and bead slip, which eventually destroys the tyre.

An overinflated tyre will increase fuel consumption, increase wear on the vehicle and tyre, increase soil compaction, and result in reduced tyre life.

When it comes to your tyres, check tyre pressures regularly. Keep them within the manufacturer’s guidelines for load, size and speed. One final tip: make sure your tyres have a valve cap. It keeps dust and dirt out of your tyre, but, equally as important, it prevents the natural air loss through tyre valves.

For all your agricultural and other tyre needs here in Brisbane, contact Darra Tyres today.

Keeping your family and fleet safely on the road,

Kevin Wood

0 5 essential tips for storing tyres in Brisbane

How to make your spare tyres last longer and stay safer

The season is changing. The weather here in Queensland has started to turn warmer, and for many drivers that mean switching to a different set of tyres. If you’re planning a springtime Queensland adventure, you might change your normal tyres for a set that is more tuned to off-road driving. Or, perhaps you simply have a spare set of tyres tucked away. Whatever the reason, how you store your spare tyres will impact their usefulness.

If you don’t store tyres correctly here in Brisbane, you could find they rot away, even if they haven’t reached their expiry date. UV radiation from the sun, ozone damage, and oxygen all take their toll. An unused tyre could be as useless as a tyre with 100,000 kilometres on it. The following five tyre storage tips will help keep your stored tyres in top condition for longer.

1.    Clean and bag your tyres

Before putting your tyres into storage, you should clean them. Use a tyre brush to rid the tyre of dirt and brake dust. If you store on wheels, make sure to clean them, too. Dry them completely, and don’t use tyre dressing.

2.    Use airtight bags to store your tyres

Once the tyres are clean and dry, place each in an airtight plastic bag. Make sure there is no water or condensation in the bags. Large vacuum storage bags will help you to suck out as much air as possible. Once you’ve done this, use tape to make sure the bag remains airtight.

3.    Store in a cool, dry place

Keep your tyres out of sunlight, in a cool and dry location. If possible, store in a basement or climate controlled room – sheds and garages tend to suffer from temperatures that vary from hot to cold. They can also be damp and humid – not the best conditions to store tyres in. Wherever you store your tyres, keep them away from fridges and freezers, and air conditioning units.

4.    Stack tyres vertically

It’s best to stack your tyres vertically. It reduces tyre distortion. Keep them off the ground, and if possible put them on a dedicated shelf.

5.    Use them or lose them

Tyre rubber contains a protective wax. It slows down the process of oxidation, as the protective wax ‘blooms’ through the rubber compound to the surface of the tyre as it is being used. When the tyre is in storage, the wax on the surface of the tyre is eventually exhausted by oxidation – which is why you need to remove as much air from the tyre bags as possible.

When a tyre isn’t being used, the protective wax doesn’t work its way to the surface. It is another reason for unused tyres degrading just as fast as the tyres on your vehicle. The answer is to make sure you don’t store tyres for too long without using them. If you do so, you could find that when you do put them on your vehicle, they aren’t fit for purpose.

Tyres are like people!

Tyres aren’t so different from people. They age. But if you store your tyres properly, you can slow down this ageing process. However, even if your tyres look perfect, they may not be so. Before you switch the tyres on your vehicle with a stored set, always get a professional to examine them. Degraded rubber has a habit of looking as good as new, and you won’t know they’re dangerous until you suffer a blowout at speed. And no one wants that to happen to you.

For all your tyre needs here in Brisbane, contact Darra Tyres today.

Keeping your family and fleet safely on the road,

Kevin Wood

0 You won’t see a giant crocodile in our tyre shop

*Photo credits to THE STAR/ ASIA NEWS NETWORK

0 7 tips to make your truck tyres last longer in Queensland

Increase value from your truck tyres

Tyres are one of a truck fleet’s largest expenses. Whether your vehicles run long, uninterrupted trips on highways and motorways, or do their business on stop/start routes through Brisbane and along the Gold Coast, Queensland’s road surfaces will eventually take their toll.

These seven tips for taking care of your truck tyres will reduce maintenance needs, cut fuel costs, and lengthen the life of your tyres. They will also ensure your drivers and their loads are as safe as possible on the roads in Queensland.

1.    Give tyres the once-over at every pit stop

A visual inspection of a truck’s tyres should be carried out at every rest break. Early warning of cracks or bulges in the sidewall is essential for safety. Look for sharp objects, and other road debris stuck in the tyre treads, as well as uneven wear and tear.

2.    Take note of tread wear

You don’t need to be a detective to recognise what tread wear is trying to tell you about your truck. During a visual inspection, look for the following wear patterns:

• Wear on the tyre’s shoulder indicates underinflation
• Wear through the centre shows the tyre has been driven while overinflated
• Uneven wear shows that the wheels probably need realigning

3.    Rotate your tyres regularly

Not all wear and tear is even on all truck tyres. Loaded trucks exert different weight on all tyres. Depending on the work and types of loads your fleet hauls, we’d recommend tyre rotation at a maximum of 60,000 to 80,000 kilometres. Tyres on trailers may require more regular rotation. No two fleets are the same, so it’s best to customise your rotation methods and policies to your requirements. We’d be happy to help you decide the optimum schedule and pattern of your fleet’s tyre rotation. (A further tip here is to make sure you alter tyre inflation to the recommended levels every rotation.)

4.    Keep your truck tyres properly inflated

When tyres are improperly inflated, handling, fuel consumption and braking are all adversely affected. Systems like Continental’s latest truck tyre pressure monitoring system work on all brands and ensure a truck’s tyres are optimally inflated at all times. When you use such a system across your entire fleet, you should notice fuel consumption reduce and tyre life lengthen.

For smaller fleets without tyre pressure monitoring systems, drivers and maintenance staff should check tyre pressure regularly, when the tyres are cold.

5.    Align truck wheels regularly

When a truck’s wheels are misaligned, the tyres will wear irregularly. Fuel costs will rise, and tyres will need to be replaced sooner rather than later. Handling will also be affected. Check alignment at regular intervals, and every rotation.

6.    Keep truck wheels balanced

Truck tyres are easily thrown out of balance. Damage to tyres is a prime cause of this. A noticeable effect of poor wheel balance is vibrations while driving – which makes handling more difficult, and can affect suspension systems.

When truck tyres are fitted for the first time, they should be balanced correctly. After this, ensure that they are balanced at least once per year, and certainly, if they are repaired. If a driver does experience vibrations, get in touch with the team here at Darra Tyres, and book for an emergency assessment of your tyres. It could reduce fuel costs and, more importantly, save a life.

7.    Always get tyres repaired by professionals

Whether repairing or retreading tyres, the work should be carried out by professional tyre technicians. The team here at Darra carry out complete inspections on truck tyres. We look for damage, patch as required, and when a truck tyre needs replacing, we’ll ensure it is replaced with the best tyre for the job your truck does here in Queensland.

For all your fleet tyre needs here in Brisbane, contact Darra Tyres today.

Keeping your family and fleet safely on the road,

Kevin Wood