This element covers the essential knowledge required for inspecting, repairing, and replacing tyres on industrial equipment such as forklifts, loaders, and
Topic Synopsis
This element covers the essential knowledge required for inspecting, repairing, and replacing tyres on industrial equipment such as forklifts, loaders, and agricultural machinery. Learners must understand tyre construction specific to industrial applications, relevant legislation (including PUWER and LOLER), and workplace procedures to ensure safe and effective maintenance. Practical skills focus on correct use of specialist tools and materials to minimise downtime and prevent premature tyre failure.
Key Concepts & Core Principles
- Tyre construction: Understanding the layers of a tyre (tread, sidewall, belts, carcass) and how they affect performance and safety.
- Tyre markings: Interpreting size, load index, speed rating, and date codes to select the correct tyre for a vehicle.
- Fitting procedures: Steps for removing and fitting tyres, including bead seating, balancing, and torque settings for wheel nuts.
- Safety protocols: Using personal protective equipment (PPE), handling compressed air safely, and following COSHH regulations for tyre sealants and cleaners.
- Tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS): Understanding how TPMS works and the correct procedures for servicing vehicles equipped with them.
Exam Tips & Revision Strategies
- When answering written or verbal questions, always structure your response using industry terminology (e.g., 'bead seat', 'ply rating', 'rim flange') to demonstrate competence.
- Use real-world scenarios to frame your answers: for example, describe how you would handle a telehandler tyre replacement on site, highlighting safety and legislative steps.
- If assessed via practical observation, verbalise your actions clearly—explain why you are using a specific tool or why you are inspecting a particular area.
- Review the inspection criteria for solid tyres versus pneumatic tyres; be prepared to state the critical wear limits and damage thresholds.
Common Misconceptions & Mistakes to Avoid
- Confusing passenger car tyre construction with industrial tyre construction, particularly the use of multiple plies and reinforced sidewalls.
- Assuming all industrial tyres are pneumatic; many are solid or foam-filled, requiring different handling and inspection techniques.
- Overlooking the importance of checking wheel/rim condition during tyre inspection, leading to repeated failures.
- Failing to correctly interpret load and speed ratings for low-speed industrial equipment, applying automotive standards instead.
- Neglecting to follow lock-out/tag-out procedures before commencing work on industrial machinery.
Examiner Marking Points
- Award credit for demonstrating accurate identification of tyre sidewall markings and explaining their meaning in relation to load index, speed rating, and ply rating.
- Award credit for correctly describing the step-by-step procedure for safely removing and refitting a solid or pneumatic industrial tyre using appropriate hydraulic tools.
- Award credit for evidencing knowledge of typical industrial tyre damage types (e.g., chunking, separation, bead damage) and correct repair or replacement criteria.
- Award credit for explaining the key requirements of PUWER and LOLER legislation as they apply to tyre changing equipment and practice.
- Award credit for selecting and justifying appropriate repair materials (e.g., patches, valves, sealants) for given industrial tyre faults.