AGCO Technician Ash Briggs has advice on simple tyre pressure checks that can easily be carried 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 from 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 a 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.
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About the author
Ash Briggs has over 20 years of expertise in the automotive sector, having spent 15 years as a technician and auto-electrician before transitioning into technical training. He now leads the AGCO Apprenticeship Scheme for the UK & Ireland, where he’s spent the past 18 months dedicated to helping shape the next generation of agricultural engineers.
