The advice follows a survey by the Road Haulage Association which revealed 46% of the UK’s trucks – around 240,000 vehicles – are now parked up with no work.
Rob Blurton, Michelin’s most senior technical field engineer in the UK and Ireland, has detailed steps to follow before laying up vehicles, along with advice on periodic inspections and preparing vehicles to re-enter service.
He advises: “No tyre is designed to carry the weight of a parked truck or trailer indefinitely, so it’s essential operators follow guidance to ensure vehicles can be quickly returned to service when freight volumes return to normal, and without the need to replace tyres unnecessarily.”
To prepare a vehicle for extended parking, Blurton advises all tyres should be inspected for visible damage (such as cuts or bulges) and abnormal wear, and cold tyre inflation pressures checked for all tyre positions.
If the pressure checks reveal tyres under-inflated by up to 14psi, engineers should check for visible causes. If nothing is found, the tyre should be inflated to the recommended level following the standard methods of safe working. If the tyre is underinflated by more than 14psi, they should arrange for it to be demounted so the interior can be inspected for signs of internal damage, such as mottling and creasing. If that tyre is mounted in a twinned configuration, the twinned tyre assembly should also be demounted and inspected. Operators should also ensure each valve is fitted with an appropriate valve cap.
Blurton also offers advice for vehicles that are being parked for an extended period. Every four months, a vehicle should be driven around the yard where possible. If space is at a premium and assets cannot be moved, the tyres should be rotated a quarter turn. However, before any truck or trailer is moved, engineers should check visually for signs of underinflation. If a tyre is deemed to require attention, they should follow the guidance above.
Before commissioning any vehicle back into operation, engineers should check the cold tyre inflation pressure of all tyres and adjust them in line with the tyre manufacturer’s guidance.
Commenting on the advice, Blurton says: “The very notion of parking assets for extended periods is unfamiliar for most operators, with the exception perhaps of heritage vehicles and those used seasonally, such as gritters and snow ploughs. However, these are important steps and will help to protect the condition of the tyres and ensure they remain ready to get back to work.”