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Keeping your skid steer tires in good shape will help ensure your machine stays productive and operates at the highest level possible for you. Following a few simple skid steer maintenance tips will prevent unnecessary wear and extend the life of your tires.
We recommend that you routinely wash off your tires, so you can easily tell if there are any issues. Look out for bubbles, bumps cracks, uneven wear, and anything that might be lodged in the rubber. Clean your skid steer tires whenever it’s necessary to ensure you can inspect them properly. If you notice any uneven or abnormal wear, it may be time to rotate the tires, which will help extend their lifespan.
Skid steer tires are designed to operate with all four of them engaged on the ground. If you’re operating the machine with the bucket too far under the load, the front tires may lift slightly off the ground, placing extra stress on the back tires. We also recommend operating your skid steer on road surfaces as little as possible, because doing so will cause accelerated wear and tear.
Be careful that you don’t catch your rim on an object. Damaging a rim can lead to unnecessary skid steer maintenance and put your machine out of action for days. Look for tires with rim protectors built into the design.
With pneumatic tires, if the tire pressure is too low, you will waste fuel, and if it’s too high, you increase the chance of flats. In either case, uneven and accelerated wear can result. Keep a reliable tire gauge handy and inspect the pressure every day or once a week, depending on how often you are operating the skid steer. Check your owner’s manual to determine the correct tire pressure range for your machine.
You’re most likely operating your skid steer in areas that are full of debris and other hazards. Operators should always drive carefully and avoid areas with a lot of litter, some of which could tear or pop the tire. Pneumatic skid steer tires can go flat, and foam filled tires can leak if punctured.
It’s important to take the right precautions when storing your skid steer in order to protect the tires. Constant exposure to sunlight can cause tires to expand and crack. Store tires in a cool, dry place.
If you have any questions about maintaining your skid steer tires or skid steer maintenance in general, then please contact our team today!
