Safety - Section 20 08/11 OM2036 Page 20-14 If the proper procedure for performing maintenance or replacement of the wheel or tire is not used, the wheel or tire may burst, causing damage, serious injury, or even death. When performing such mainte- nance, consult your authorized regional Komatsu dis- tributor, or the tire manufacturer. Tire Maintenance Storing Tires After Removal As a basic rule, store the tires in a warehouse in which unauthorized persons cannot enter. If the tires are stored outside, erect a fence around the tires with No Entry and other warning signs. Stand the tire on level ground, and block it securely so that it cannot roll or fall over.
Refer to the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), SAE J1337, Off-Road Rim Maintenance Procedures and Service Precautions, Section 4.2 for additional information on demounting the tires and rim assem- blies. Also, refer to Section 4.4 of SAE J1337 for assembly and inflation recommendations. If the tire falls, flee the area as quickly as possible. The tires for mining equipment are extremely heavy. DO NOT attempt to hold a tire upright when the tire is falling. The weight of these tires may lead to serious injury or death. The U.S. Department of Labor Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) addresses tire repairs in its Title 30 Code of Federal Regulations, 30 CFR 57.14104.
DO NOT stand in front of a rim and locking ring when inflating a tire mounted on the machine. Observers must not be permitted in the area. Mounted tires stored as spares must be inflated to the minimum inflation pressure necessary to keep the tire beads properly seated. Maximum inflation pressure of the stored tire must, in no instance, exceed 15% of the tire’s cold inflation pressure. DO NOT weld or heat the rim assembly with the tire mounted on the rim. Resulting gases inside the tire may ignite, causing explosion of the tire and rim .