Our Guide to Replacing Your Low Loader’s Tyres: Signs and Safety Precautions

Our clients regularly need the help of low loaders and operators in Perth to carry and transport their cargo. This requires specialised equipment, knowledgeable operators, and wide-load vehicles.

Throughout the transportation, our prime movers and low loader trailers will need to be regularly inspected. One of the most important parts of the vehicle to check is the tyres. The tyres are constantly and thoroughly looked over for wear and tear for long-distance loads and will be immediately replaced when needed.

Our drivers inspect their tyres every single time before using their trucks and trailers to ensure they’re in optimum condition. That way, they’ll immediately know if they’ve got tyre punctures or other problems that could make it dangerous for them to manoeuvre their low loaders.

If you’re a driver, or you’ve ever thought about becoming an operator, here are a few tips that our professional team take into consideration daily:

Inspecting Tyre Treads

A low loader’s tyres have treads that provide the grip and traction needed to make sure your truck stays on track and doesn’t slip or slide when on the move. If you spot uneven wear patterns on your tyres, that’s a good sign they’re due for replacement. Generally speaking, you must replace your tyres when the tread is worn to 2/32 of an inch.

Fortunately, tyres have tread wear indicators that help notify drivers when it’s time to replace them. They look like raised bumps that are spaced at the bottom of the tread grooves. When you spot these indicators on the outside of the tread, that means it’s due for a replacement.

Looking Out for Punctures, Cracks, and Foreign Objects

For your tyres to function correctly and safely, they must be completely intact. If it’s riddled with cracks, punctures, or even foreign objects, it will allow air to escape from the tyre, which could result in a blowout. If you see any foreign objects wedged into your tyre tread, remove them right away to avoid more damage. If you observe a minor crack in your tyre or you know that it’s punctured, you might be able to plug the hole and patch the area surrounding the hole until you can get to a safe location for replacement. However, if your tyre’s sidewall is punctured, you’ll have to immediately replace it. Make sure to entrust this job to a professional.

The Valve Stem

Apart from cracks and punctures, you’ll also need to survey your valve stem for cracks. The valve stem is necessary for inflating the tyre, so if it has cracks, then the tyre cannot be adequately inflated, necessitating a replacement.

The Tyres’ Age

Your tyres’ age is also a significant factor in whether or not they’re due for a replacement. Tyre manufacturers have different service lives on certain tyres, but a low loader tyre’s average life is around five years under everyday use and maintenance conditions. You should start considering tyre replacement after three years, even when the tyres still have sufficient tread depth.

It’s also important to know the causes of trailer tyre damage so you can help avoid them and extend the tyre’s life. These causes include improper tyre pressure, driving with excessive speed, improper loading, infrequent use of the low loader, axle issues, and too much exposure to moisture, sunlight, and extreme temperatures.

Conclusion

Looking after your tyres on the road is essential when transporting equipment, as it will make sure you get safely to your destination. By being aware of the signs of tyre damage like cracks and punctures and knowing when to replace them, you’ll ensure not only your safety but ensure the safety of your cargo as well.

KEE Group is a collaboration of KEE Hire, KEE Surfacing, KEE Transport, and KEE Fuel. We have low loader operators who specialise in transporting heavy-plant hire equipment, providing uninterrupted logistical support for our clients. If you’re looking for dump truck hire or excavator hire in Perth, we’re the ones to call. Contact us today to learn more!