ALEXANDRIA, VA – Skid steers are some of the most important pieces of equipment for industrial, construction, and even agricultural industries. Able to lift several hundred pounds of material at a time, these machines make even the toughest of jobs easier. As such, the last thing you want is for your skid steer’s tires to blow out on you while you’re hard at work. Here are a few practical ways to avoid getting flat tires on skid steers and keep these devices running smoothly.
Inflate Your Tires Properly
The first thing you can do to protect your tires from damage is to make sure you inflate them correctly. Just like with car tires, over- or underinflating skid steer tires can lead to several problems with maintaining traction and performance. It also makes them more susceptible to damage from the rough terrain and increases the likelihood that they’ll suffer a flat. Checking their tire pressure and filling or deflating them as needed can greatly improve your odds.
Monitor Their Tread Depth
You should also consistently monitor your skid steer’s tread depth over time. As these tires sustain wear, the tread’s material slowly thins, affecting its ability to maintain traction. Knowing how deep your tires’ treads are from the beginning will make it easier to judge when you should consider looking for replacements. After all, it’s better to replace them with quality skid steer tires than to sustain a flat unexpectedly on the job.
Don’t Overload Your Equipment
Another way to avoid getting flat tires on skid steers is by adhering to your tire’s weight restrictions. Though this equipment can carry significantly more than we can, even it has its limits. Overloading your skid steer increases the amount of wear on its tires, making them much more likely to have problems later. Paying attention to how much you’re carrying at a given time can make a world of difference.
Operate With Care and Caution
Above all, pay close attention to how you’re driving your skid steer. Adopting bad habits like hard braking and quick acceleration put additional stress on the rubber and wear it down unevenly. This creates areas that are more susceptible to puncture. For this reason, making yourself aware of these driving behaviors early on can prolong your tire’s lifespan overall.
