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Tyres are used on a wide variety of vehicles and machinery and their condition is often overlooked. Tyre condition is a
crucial safety component for any wheeled equipment.
Tyres are the only contact your vehicle or machinery has with the surface it is operating on and are one of the most
important safety features of any vehicle or machine.
Tyres need to respond accurately to steering commands, they need to roll smoothly and cope with the stresses that
come from braking, cornering and accelerating. Above all tyres need to keep vehicles safely and securely on the
operating surface in different conditions including when dry, wet and slippery or covered in snow and ice.
Tyres should be inspected regularly as part of a proactive maintenance regime. Tyres and wheels must be part of any
daily pre-start checklist. Here are some important considerations when inspecting tyre condition.
Tyre Pressure
It is important to keep the right amount of air pressure in
your tyres (including your spare). Correct pressure helps to
ensure optimum braking performance and minimisation of
wear. Correct pressures also optimise comfort, handling
and fuel economy.
Under or over inflation reduces their ability to grip
properly, which most importantly impacts upon braking
capability. This will not only cause uneven tread wear but
it has a substantial influence on handling. If the inflation is
not adequate for the load being carried the tyre
temperature increases due to flexing, and excessive
temperature can result in structural damage to the tyre.
Tyres must be inflated to the pressure recommended by
the manufacturer and checked on a regular basis when
the tyres are cold.
Tread Wear
Tread wear issues can appear as flat spots or areas of rapid wear on the tyre. Tread wear issues are commonly caused
from brake problems, suspension or alignment problems, an unbalanced tyre and wheel assembly or from misuse.
Tyres include tread wear indicators and these are important tools for judging remaining tread depth. These are raised
bars in the main longitudinal tread grooves, distributed evenly around the circumference of the tyre, which become
level with the rest of the tread pattern once the minimum tread depth is reached.
Plant Assessor Update
Inspecting Tyre Condition - What to look for
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Image courtesy of tyresizecalculator.com
Under
inflation
Over
inflation
Proper
inflation
If uneven tyre wear is identified, and the minimum depth has not been reached, tyre rotation is a practical option to
reduce the risk and increase the useful life of a tyre.
If the minimum tread depth has been reached the tyre must be replaced. Any damage such as exposed wire, gashes
in the tread or smoothness and the tyre must be replaced. Smoothness is only acceptable on solid tyres only such as
fitted on some self-propelled elevated work platforms.
Sidewall Damage
It is important to inspect the sidewalls of tyres, which includes both external and internal sidewalls. Inspectors must
ensure that they make the effort to inspect internal sidewalls.
Sidewall damage can appear as cuts, tears, bubbles or scrapes anywhere along the sidewall of the tyre. This type of
damage commonly occurs when a tyre encounters an unexpected hazard, which can include anything from rocks and
curbs to pieces of metal.
Sharp objects or very concentrated stress usually cause cuts and tears. Bubbles and scrapes occur due to impact
damage or prolonged abrasion. Any sidewall damage should be inspected regularly and a judgement needs to be
made regarding the need to replace a tyre. Tyre suppliers are able to assist in making judgements regarding the
extent of damage and whether a tyre should be replaced.
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Image courtesy of acdelco.com
Plant Assessor Update
Inspecting Tyre Condition - What to look for
Image courtesy of tyrehouse.net.au
Image courtesy of i.imgur.com Image courtesy of team-bhp.com Image courtesy of ncfjcruisers.com
Tread wear indicators Tread worn
Tyre Separations
Separations can appear as bulges on the shoulder of a tread face, or as a
localised wear above the separated area. A groove worn along the shoulder
could be a sign of separation. Separations are mainly caused by excessive
heat during prolonged high speed driving, overloaded or under inflated
tyre pressures. If tyre separation is visible the tyre must be replaced.
Wheel Nuts
Wheel nuts must be checked regularly to ensure they are tightened to the
correct torque. Improperly torqued nuts or bolts can result in wheel
assemblies coming off, brake damage, broken and or stripped nuts,
bolts and studs. There are many different wheel-nut indicator systems
available that identify when a nut is loose or damaged. Torque settings
should be as per the manufacturer’s guidelines.
How Does Plant Assessor Help with Inspection of Tyres
Plant Assessor risk assessments and pre-start checks include specific questions in relation to the inspection of tyre
condition. Assessors need to answer these questions, capturing suitable comments and photos in the event that a
deficiency needs to further identified, examined and rectified.
As usual, when conducting an inspection, assessors should err on the side of caution and when unsure answer no to
the question which will flag the issue for further investigation. Assessors need to follow their usual lock out/tag out
procedures if any significant deficiency is identified during an inspection.
Plant Assessor reports, which are immediately available following completion of an assessment, contain
comprehensive risk ratings to assist in making a decision on whether or not to tag out a piece of equipment.
In summary, when inspecting tyre condition, assessors need to consider the following important aspects:
1. Tyre pressure
2. Tread wear
3. Any damage to the tyre
4. Any damage to the wheel or components
5. Wheel nuts are securely fastened
Disclaimer: This information is intended to provide general information on the subject matter. This is not intended as legal or expert advice for your
specific situation. You should seek professional advice before acting or relying on the content of this information. Please contact us for further assistance.
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Image courtesy of tyrehouse.net.au
Plant Assessor Update
Inspecting Tyre Condition - What to look for
Image courtesy of
checkpoint-safety.com