Keeping tabs on tyres with WheelRight
Tyre monitoring equipment provider WheelRight has underlined the importance of regular tyre pressure and tread depth checks.
The company warns that, while keeping tabs on tyre pressure can be complex, the risks of not doing so are high.
“Underinflated tyres can be missed on daily walkaround checks as inner tyres aren’t easily visible, and underinflation of any tyre isn’t always obvious without a pressure check,” said WheelRight.
“But the increased risk of a blowout and the negative effect on fuel consumption and tyre wear make regular, accurate tyre pressure checks an essential part of fleet management.”
The company highlights the various potential impacts of a tyre incident, including the potential to cause road traffic accidents and disruptions, and damage to vehicles and loads. Missed delivery windows and driver hours disruptions can also result, as can emergency recovery costs, reputational damage and prohibitions. Drivers and vehicles are also potentially at risk whilst stranded.
“Tyre tread depth is often overlooked, or only inspected sporadically, despite the essential role it plays in ensuring grip and shedding water,” WheelRight continued.
“The fine line between having legal and illegal tread depth is such that tyre treads must be monitored regularly, especially when tyres are no longer new. A vehicle failing an inspection by the DVSA for low tread depth can result in an immediate prohibition notice and fines or loss of fleet rating with the authorities. These are all big risks for any transport operator.”
Manual checking of tyre pressures can be time-consuming, open to human error, and too infrequent to identify slow punctures, contends WheelRight.
“It also relies on all vehicles being available at the point of inspection. A typical UK HGV fleet will easily exceed 1,000 tyres, each needing to be checked manually.
“Good tyre safety management is essential for keeping bus fleets running smoothly and efficiently, helping to prevent roadside tyre failures and delays to transport schedules, and to reduce excessive carbon emissions.
“WheelRight’s drive over TPMS and tread inspection system uses advanced technology to present a simple solution. Vehicles simply drive through our installed ground level sensors and tread imaging technology every time they enter or leave the transport yard, and tyre pressure, tread depths and tread damage assessments are immediately uploaded to our cloud. All six tyres on a bus can have their pressures checked in just six seconds.
“Any problems are instantly flagged to transport staff so that immediate action can be taken. Compared to manual tyre checking, the WheelRight service ensures all tyres are checked every time the vehicle or trailer enters or leaves your premises.
“Compared to on-board TPMS, the WheelRight service provides simplicity and value for money because there are no devices fitted to the vehicle. Our off-board drive-over system also enables vehicles outside your fleet to be checked – ideal for ensuring sub-contractors are operating to your standards of tyre and load management.”
