Bobcat Tires are one of the most vulnerable parts of a skid steer loader. Frequent flat tires can be costly. On busy work sites, drivers struggle to see and avoid small debris that could cause a bobcat tire puncture.
If your Bobcat is used on a typical work site, it will likely be exposed to numerous situations and objects that could injure the tires. However, there are some things you can do to avoid these problems. Here, we will discuss some methods of avoiding punctures and how to deal with a flat when it occurs.
Tire Upgrades
Perhaps pneumatic bobcat tires are not the best choice for your circumstance. If you find yourself continuously experiencing tire problems, consider upgrading to help avoid common issues. Below are the two types of tires that are most useful in eliminating flats.
#1. Solid Bobcat Tires
These tires are more expensive than pneumatic Bobcat tires. However, by avoiding flats, you will save more in the long run. Beyond just the tire cost, you save money by eliminating equipment downtime. Solid Bobcat tires are the best way to avoid flats.
#2. Foam Filling
Some people fill their Bobcat tires with foam. This reduces punctures damage, but creates other problems. For example, foam filled bobcat tires are much heavier than air or solid bobcat tires, which puts unnecessary stress on the drive train. Furthermore, they are harder to service and replace than other tires.
Air filled Bobcat Tire Tips
If you insist on keeping pneumatic Bobcat tires, these tips can decrease flat rates.
Check the Air Pressure Regularly
Under-inflated tires are one of the primary causes of blowouts. Bobcat tires with low air pressure create more friction, which causes excessive heating that may lead to blowouts. It is also dangerous to operate a skid steer without sufficient air pressure. Furthermore, you get more economical fuel usage when your bobcat tires are properly filled.
Check your Treads
It is critical to consistently check the tread quality on your Bobcat tires. When your tread wears thin, you are more likely to get a puncture or blowout. Uneven wear patterns can cause skid steer handling problems, so look out for excessive wear at the center and sides of the tire.
Don't Overload your skid steer
Pay attention to the amount of weight you put on your skid steer, and your bobcat tires. Overloaded Bobcat tires produce more heat and friction, which can create significant problems.
Internal Protection
There are numerous products on the market that you can place in the interior of a Bobcat tire to protect against punctures. These include various liquids and liners.
Slow Down
We understand you have deadlines and time is a valuable commodity. However, by simply slowing your speed and paying more attention to your surroundings, you can avoid debris that could cause issues.
Fixing a Flat
- Plug - You can use a plug in a pneumatic bobcat tire. This is a temporary fix, but can buy you some time until you can replace the tire.
- Liquid sealant - This only works for very small holes. For larger punctures, it is recommended to use a liquid sealant inside the carcass of the bobcat tire before adding a plug.
- Heat - Some people actually use fire to seal a puncture. This definitely falls into the "DIY" category, and we don't recommend this method.
Flats, punctures, and blowouts are inevitable on work sites when you are using pneumatic bobcat tires. Getting a flat in the middle of, a project is not only inconvenient, it can become quite expensive.
However, upgrading to higher-quality bobcat tires will decrease, and possibly eliminate, the need for constant tire maintenance. This saves both time and money. Use the tips above to help avoid problems in with your bobcat tires.
To learn more about bobcat tires visit the EWRS-AT Series from Evolution Wheel.
