When it comes to Earthmoving tyres, rims, and wheel assemblies are critical items on vehicles. If they’re fitted incorrectly, or the tyre or part used is sub-standard, the results could be fatal. Good earthmoving tyre maintenance really is a matter of life or death.
The difference between earthmoving tyres and car tyres is bigger than size.
Working with tyres of all types is our job, and we take pride in our work. When it comes to earthmoving tyres we take extra special care. Apart from the size of them (most dwarf our Managing Director, Kevin Wood, even though he’s 6ft), the assembly is a multiple component job. A car tyre is a single item mounted on a rim. Earthmover tyres’ assemblies consist of:
• The tyre
• The rim
• Flange rings
• Bead and seat band
• O-ring
• Lockring
Different rim manufacturers have different fitting designs, too. These include studs, cleats, wedges, and wheel nuts. When a tyre is fitted, the fitter has to be aware of all of this and then make certain that the correct fitments and other components are used. It’s a high-risk operation, which can lead to fatalities.
According to a report that captured accident numbers from bodies such as the Queensland Government Department of Mines and Energy, Department of Industry and Resources Western Australia, and the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission, among others, a third of earthmoving tyres and rim maintenance accidents reported resulted in death. On top of this number, half of all the reported accidents were judged to have been potentially fatal.
As a profession, earthmoving tyres maintenance is a pretty dangerous one!
Main causes of accidents when working with earthmoving tyres
There are a number of root causes of maintenance accidents when working with earthmoving tyres. These include absent or deficient rim and rim components. If these aren’t correct for the tyre and rim used, then the outcome in the field could be disastrous, too. That’s why all our tyre specialists are specifically trained on earthmover tyre maintenance – not only does this training protect us when we’re working on the tyre, more importantly it protects the customer after the tyre has been fitted.
You also won’t see us heating rims to loosen corroded wheel fastenings – a practice that, along with rim integrity, is the number one contributor to fatalities during tyre maintenance work.
Our safety equals your safety
Our tyre maintenance team is continually updating its training to stay ahead of industry requirements. We know that when it comes to safety, what we do when we work on earthmover tyres and rims directly impacts the safety of our customers and their workforce. And that’s an area in which we’ll never cut any corners.
5 tips to keep your earthmover operatives safe
Many of our customers ask our advice on tyre and rim maintenance. Here are five tips to make sure that you and your employees are earthmover tyre safe at all times:
1. Use a regular testing and maintenance program, and check rims and rim components for integrity
2. Always make sure that tyres and rims are matched
3. Only use tyre specialists that are trained and accredited
4. Undertake a preventative maintenance program to eliminate hot brakes and overheating wheel motors
5. Make sure your employees are trained in tyre use and emergencies
If you’ve got any questions or queries, or want to know more about tyre safety, don’t hesitate to call our team on 3333 5510 and ask for an Industrial Tyres expert.. We’re here to help, and keeping your family and fleet safely on the road is our mission.
Yours in family and fleet safety,
Kevin and the team