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Mechanic working on heavy-duty vehicle engine

Tips from the workshop: winter tyre checks

AGCO Technician Ashley Briggs has advice on simple tyre pressure checks that can easily be carry out by a machine operator. 

Regular pressure check

Pressure checks are the most obvious procedure. Cold winter weather will promote pressure loss in a tyre, so it is important that any pressure loss is identified and adjusted to the required pressure to prevent the tyre coming off the wheel rim.

Avoid blow-outs

It is also important to visually check tyre side walls for cracking and perishing, this is mostly for older tyres, but again, the cold weather can cause the rubber to degrade. This will not only aid pressure loss but could also be potentially dangerous if the tyre were to ‘blow out’ whilst being driven. 

Avoid flat spot

Lastly, if a vehicle is being stood down for any great length of time during the winter, the tyres can potentially ‘flat spot’ on the bottom from where they have been stood. It is important for the quality of the condition of the tyre that the wheels are rotated regularly so that the ‘bottom’ is always in a different spot.