How to Replace Forklift Tires

Replace the tires on your forklift to help maintain its life.

Checking tires is a staple of regular maintenance on a forklift. Different types of forklifts used different types of tires. How often the forklift is used, the weight of the loads carried, and ground surfaces all are considerations affecting the proper tire to use. Among the tools needed are a tire press, a forklift jack and replacement tires.

Instructions

1. Inspect your tires. Look for wear or damage. Check to see that the correct tire is being used: polyurethane, solid or pneumatic. Determine if the wear on the tire exceeds 40 percent.

2. Purchase the tires needed for repair.

3. Place the forklift jack under the tire you are replacing. Lift the forklift until you can easily remove the tire.

4. Remove the damaged tire. Use the tire press to separate the tire from the rim. Replace it with the new tire. Press it on the forklift, securing it tightly. Repeat with all damaged tires. If you have only one forklift jack, you will need to lower the forklift, then move the jack to the next tire and repeat Step 3.

5. Contact a local repair company to repair the forklift tire on site. Request a free estimate if this is your first call. Some forklift tires are too large for either in-house or mobile tire presses. In this case, you will need to remove the damaged tire and take into a repair shop that uses a stationary tire press.

References

• Boman Forklift: FAQ
• OSHA Campus: Forklift Manual
• Material Handling: Forklifts
• Mike's Forklift Trucks: Forklift Tires