Heavy Duty Tire Maintenance for Longevity

Essential Heavy Duty Tire Maintenance for Longevity

The Importance of Tire Maintenance for TENGSHENG Sorting Machines

The efficiency of TENGSHENG sorting machines is unmatched. For instance, the TS-FS670 model processes significant quantities of fruit, and the TS-FS230B is able to work in small, congested facilities. However, with every machine start-up, the tires endure the following hardships:

• Sustained load: Even the TS-FS450B when half-filled, hauls hundreds of kg of fruits and vegetables, imposing sustained load on the tires.
• Changing working environment: A TS-FS230B traverses concrete packing and farmyard mud, so tires encounter abrasion, impact, and debris.
• Extended operational times: 8-12 hour operational shifts lead to unchecked cumulative wear.

Any tire malfunction such as a flat or a blowout can completely halt a sorting line. For businesses that process apples at 10,000 kg per day, this can cost a few thousand dollars in revenue. Effective TENGSHENG maintenance goes beyond keeping machines in optimal working condition and saves businesses money on tires.

Core Heavy-Duty Tire Maintenance Steps (Professional and Simple)

Regular Tire Pressure Checks (The Number One Priority)

Maintaining tire pressure ensures longevity – both low and high pressure are leading causes of premature wear. Here’s the procedure:

• Checking Strategy: For daily-use machines like the TS-FS340, check once a week. For high-volume models like the TS-FS670, check every 100 hours. In dusty, wet, or hot environments, check twice a week.
• Equipment: A digital tire pressure gauge is best, as it is accurate and easy to read. These can be purchased for $20-30 at auto parts stores.
• Procedure: For the most accurate reading, wait until tires are “cold.” Refer to TENGSHENG’s machine manual for the necessary pressure – for instance, the TS-FS450B (a mid-size) requires around 80 PSI, while the lighter TS-FS230B is around 65 PSI.
• Reason: Tires with low pressure “sag,” which causes greater contact and faster, uneven wear. High pressure stiffens tires, reducing grip and increasing risk of damage from bumps.

Inspect for Wear and Damage (Spot Problems Early)

You don’t need special training to spot issues with tires. All it takes is a few minutes of visual inspections.

• Look for Patterns of Wear: Inspection of the tires should begin with the treads for wear. If the wear is uniform across the tread, your tires are healthy. However, more wear on one side means the machine’s alignment is off (common in machines like the TS-FS340 that are used in tight areas and used to circular turn).
• Tread Depth: Checking tread depth can easily be done with a penny. If inserting Lincoln’s head into the tread shows more than Lincoln’s forehead, the tread is too blunt and should be replaced. In the case shallow, the tread is too deep, and with wet floors, the tread can dangerously reduce traction.
• Signs of Damage: The sidewalls of tires should also be checked with the treads for any abrasions like cuts, cracks or bulges. Noticeable bulges suggest the internal structure of tires are broken which is a major risk for explosion. Cracks are a sign of aging or rubber’s exposure to acidic fruits.

Monitor Load Management To Prevent Overstress

Every heavy-duty tire comes with a load limit which is the maximum weight it can accurately carry. For TENGSHENG sorting machines:

• Refer to the manual:  For every model, TENGSHENG provides the maximum load limit (For example, the TS-FS670 can carry 500 kg per load while the TS-FS340 handles 300 kg). Overloading the machine to “save time” will result in bending of the tire's internal cords permanently damaging the tire.
• Balanced Weight Distribution: Ensure not to place all fruit on one side of the machine to make it easier to load. Uneven distribution of weight during the loading process can cause some tires to over strain while equilibrium.

Remove and Prevent Marking Important Areas

Cleaning sorting machines is fruit stems and pulp remnants and tar like substances caused by dirt.

• Every day: Remove with gentle and low pressured water, remnants of dirt and dry fruit with low pressured water do not use high Pressured hoses. These can cause wheel rust.
• Remove harmful substances: If your machine processes citrus fruits such as oranges and lemons, it is advisable to scrub the tires with a mild soap solution to offset their acidic balance. Over time, acidic juices soften and deteriorate rubber.

Dry before storage: For longer periods of time, it is recommended to allow the tires to air-dry completely. Leftover moisture beneath the tires can lead to mold.

Proper Maintenance While Not In Use

When storing your TENGSHENG machine (for example, the TS-FS670), make sure not to just leave it unattended during off-peak seasons (for example, the winter months where fruits are not in season):

• Lift the machine: If you do use a lifting machine, make sure it is heavy-duty jack certified. Leaving a machine on the ground with a heavy load will cause flat spots, indentations on the tires.
• Keep in a cool, dry place: Like most machines, it is recommended to keep them in a warehouse or covered area. Leaving machines in direct sunlight or extremely hot conditions can dry the rubber, hardening it, and cold weather can make it brittle and inflexible.
• If you cannot lift the machine, make sure to rotate the tires once a month: This will help prevent flat spots as it will help even out the pressure on the tires.

When to Replace Tires (Don’t Wait Too Long)

Even with proper care, tires have a limited lifespan. You should replace TENGSHENG machine tires if any of the following conditions are met:

• The tread’s depth is lower than 3 mm (this can be checked with a penny).
• The sidewalls exhibit bulges or large cracks and cuts.
• Tires exhibit “cupping” (worn spots that resemble cups). This indicates a more serious problem with the machine’s suspension. Tires will need to be replaced, but the suspension should be fixed first.

Only use TENGSHENG tires specifically recommended for your machine model. Generic tires are a bad choice since they may not fit or bear the machine’s load, causing damage and leading to more frequent failures.

FAQs: Common Questions About TENGSHENG Sorting Machine Tire Maintenance

Q1: How often should the tire pressure of TS-FS230B (a smaller TENGSHENG sorting machine) be checked?

A1: For the TS-FS230B and other small to mid-size TENGSHENG models, they should have their tire pressure checked once a week if the machine is used daily. For dusty or wet environments, they should have the tire pressure checked two times a week. Always check pressure when tires are cold for the most accurate reading, not after running the machine.

Q2: Do I need to replace the tires on my TS-FS450B if there is uneven wear?

A2: Not right away. First, rectify the problem that is causing uneven wear. Check the tire pressure, which is the most common culprit. Set it to TENGSHENG's recommended level. Then, check the alignment on the machine's wheels (you may need to hire someone for this). If the wear is moderate (more than 3mm tread depth), the tires can be used with close monitoring. If wear is drastic (nearly bald on one side), the tires can be changed to avoid safety hazards.

Q3: Is it permissible to install car tires on the TENGSHENG TS-FS670 sorting machine?

A3: No. The TS-FS670 is not designed for servicing car tires. Due to the TS-FS670's capability of lifting extremely large loads and operating for long periods, industrial-grade heavy-duty tires are a must (as recommended by TENGSHENG). Car tires are not designed for heavy-duty work and have a greater risk of becoming damaged. They have a lower load rating and thinner rubber. They will wear out in a matter of weeks, not months, and may blow out during operation—this can be a safety risk. TENGSHENG tires must be used for your model.