WORKING ON OR AROUND TIRES AND RIMS

One should always:

1. Check tires and rims--

a. Prior to mounting for damage or defects.
b. After mounting to see if they are properly seated.
c. Inspect the flange and side ring to make sure they are correctly positioned.

2. Inspect all clamps and wheel nuts --

a. For wheel vibration due to loose nuts.
b. For loose clamps that can cause rim slippage or detachment of the rim and
tire from the vehicle.

3. Replace all damaged or weak parts.

a. Check for metal cracks, dents and signs of metal fatigue.

4. Check for --

a. Excessive ring butting and side ring play.
b. Mismatched rim parts.

5. Replace all severely rusted rims.

a. Check all rims for excessive corrosion which could cause weakness.
b. Check for proper fitting of all rings due to potential build up of rust.

6. Inflate all tires in a safety cage --

a. To prevent injury from a flying ring.
b. To prevent injury from a flying piece of metal due to a weak rim part.

7. Deflate tires prior to demounting.

a. Check for damage to rim and rings.
b. Check for an unseated ring.
c. Remove the tire by deflating it first, if the ring appears to be unseated.
d. Remove the valve core to ensure complete deflation
One should never:

1. Work carelessly.

a. Always follow standard operating procedures for a given tire and rim task.

2. Take unnecessary chances.

a. Always be sure of the proper procedure of mating rim and wheel parts.
b. Always ask questions of a more knowledgeable miner or distributor if
there is a question regarding a certain tire and rim procedure.

3. Operate a vehicle on a single tire of a dual assembly.

a. Always inflate both tires to recommended balanced pressures before
operating the vehicle.
b. Always check the capacity of each tire to determine if it is being exceeded.

4. Exceed the load rating of the tires.

a. Always make sure rims are not cracked or go out-of-round.
b. Always increase the tire ply rating or size, or both, if the vehicle is to have
excessively heavy loads.
c. Always use correct size rims for certain tire sizes.
d. Always stay within the specific tire pressure.

5. Use undersized tires.

a. Always check for chafing, pinching and premature failure of rim due to
undersizing.
b. Always check for bead or sidewall failure of the tire.

6. Take one manufacturer’s rims and mix with another manufacturer’s rims.

a. Always match component parts and rims by make, size, and type.

7. Take a flat tire and reinflate it without first carefully inspecting the complete
tire, wheel assembly, and rim for unsafe conditions.

a. Always inspect the lock ring for potential damage as well as making
certain it is secure in the gutter before inflation.