Trelleborg Wheel Systems has launched the Pit Stop Line innovation for its premium solid industrial tires. The solution answers one of the industry’s most elusive questions – how to know, with 100% certainty, when a forklift tire is worn out and needs replacing.
The new tire has an embedded orange line that is visible on the tire wall and designed to reveal itself across the surface of the tire when the rubber has reached the end of its life.
Trelleborg Wheel Systems business unit president, Jean-Paul Mindermann, said: “Tires are often replaced with up to 25% of their life remaining simply because people are unaware that tread depth has nothing to do with the life of a solid tire. Not only does this misconception cause a great amount of wastage, but it also costs companies thousands of dollars every year through unnecessary tire replacement and machine downtime."
Mindermann added that Trelleborg’s new feature alerts users when a tire has about 100 hours of life left, so they can plan the replacement and eliminate unnecessary cost.
The new Pit Stop Line completely encompasses the European Tyre and Rim Technical Organisation (ETRTO) Manual recommendations on tire safety and enables 100% accurate tire safety checks.
Its design will help improve machine uptime and service planning. With the Pit Stop Line appearing 100 hours or five to 15 working days before the tire needs replacing, operators are able to plan their tire changes in advance, eradicating unplanned downtime.
Pit Stop Line also offers a strong environmental benefit by reducing material waste and the carbon footprint associated with packaging and transportation. Replacing tires less often means a reduced environmental impact.
Mindermann continued: “The Pit Stop Line has the potential to have a transformational effect on forklift operations, helping to minimize downtime, tire waste and whole-life costs.”
Lift & Access is part of the Catalyst Communications Network publication family.
