When it comes to caring for large sections of a property, skid steers are among the best pieces of equipment you can own. Able to carry several hundred pounds worth of dirt at once, these machines offer one of the most efficient methods for sculping fields to your specific requirements. However, if you’re going to get the most out of them, it’s vital that you know how to keep their tires operating as intended. Here are a few tips for extending the life of your skid steer tires and protecting your investment.
Purchase Quality Models
While there are several other types of skid steer attachments that affect the way these machines perform, your tires are the most important of them all. Responsible for absorbing shock from the landscape and ensuring accurate movement, these components make sure that your skid steer only does what you want it to. Because of this, purchasing quality skid steer tires from the very start is the key to helping them last for several projects to come.
Keep Them Clean
Along with buying tires that you know you can rely on, it’s also essential that you keep them clean. Skid steers need to drive through all manner of dirt, mud, and gravel, getting these materials trapped in their treads in the process. If left to sit, these substances can bake into the rubber and start to wear away at the tires, hastening the need to replace them. So, remembering to wash your tires after every job can go a long way in keeping your tires in peak performing condition.
Limit Contact With Roadways
Another important tip for extending the life of your skid steer tires is to keep them away from concrete roadways whenever possible. Though these models can handle driving over this surface, rough concrete can generate additional wear on their treads. This accelerates the rate of deterioration and, like dirt, can lead to you needing to replace the tires sooner. For this reason, it’s recommended that you keep them on grass during operation.
Inspect the Tires Regularly
Above all, though, make sure that you’re inspecting your skid steer’s tires frequently. Inspections allow you to check on the condition of your entire machine and make the necessary repairs. This process also includes checking their tires for signs of excessive deterioration. Diagnosing corrosion early on can help you take preventative measures and better preserve the tires for future tasks.
By adopting these additional steps into your skid steer maintenance routine, you can protect its long-term functionality. This way, you’re not only saving money but also yielding better landscaping results.
