MAINTENANCE FOR YOUR TIRES
Although skid steers and their tires may seem indestructible, they are not. However, their life can be dramatically extended by following a few simple maintenance tips:
1. Clean your tires with a hose regularly and inspect for bubbles, cracks and debris that may be lodged in the rubber.
2. Keep an eye on the tread. Because the front tires may wear faster than the rear and vice versa, it would be prudent to rotate the tires whenever uneven wear is detected.
3. Avoid driving on the road. The skid steer is designed to be used in a work environment, not driven like a truck. Doing so will shorten the tires’ lifespan considerably.
4. Refrain from popping off the retaining rims by catching them on an object, buy tires that have good rim protectors molded into the tire.
5. Keep your tires’ pressure within the manufacturer’ s recommended range. Under- or over-inflated tires can either waste fuel or increase the chance of getting a flat. Check the pressure at least once a week, if not daily.
6. Avoid“ mixing and matching” tire brands. Use one brand of tire on the entire machine. Each brand has its own design and they are all slightly different. Improper pairing will cause uneven wearing on both the tires and the machine.
December 2024 • www. thepartsconnection. org • 23