How To Eliminate Hazards from Your Tire Storage Process

Tire stacks occupy a disproportionate amount of floor space, hindering the flow of traffic. Inconveniently placed stacks also make finding products tedious, cause strain during retrieval, and the tire at the bottom of the pile may become deformed over time due to the weight compressing it. If you’re tired of dealing with ladders, forklifts and lower back strains, you need a better tire storage solution. 

The right fit for your facility can help you increase efficiency, organize inventory and reclaim valuable square footage. Here are some of your best options, from top-rated storage carousels for industrial use to proven inventory management strategies.

1. Install a Vertical Tire Carousel

An automated vertical tire carousel gives you direct access to tires at work height, eliminating the need for forklifts and ladders. This point-of-use storage system is far more convenient than overhead or conveyor storage solutions. Moreover, motorized carousels are more reliable and cost-effective than complex computer-based alternatives. 

These platforms make storage and retrieval considerably faster and safer. For even more benefits, consider having an expert design a storage product tailored to your specific needs. They will work with you from conceptualization to installation. Once installed, a facility-specific solution can save up to 70% of your valuable floor space. 

Since Summit Storage Solutions delivers the top-rated storage carousels for industrial use, it’s the best option. It designs and manufactures fully customizable solutions in-house in its ISO 9001:2015-certified facility. Installation will take just one day because it employs factory-certified installers.

2. Mount Overhead Tire Lifts

Overhead tire lifts are motorized hoist systems or cable-driven platforms that store products vertically in unused ceiling space. They deliver tires to your work height at the push of a button. Since they are powered, they do all the heavy lifting for you. They save floor space and help increase efficiency. However, they may not be ideal if your facility is only one story tall.

3. Invest in Automated Guided Vehicles

If your facility is large and well-funded, you would benefit from deploying automated guided vehicles for safe material transportation. You can automate tedious storage and retrieval tasks, enabling workers to focus on more value-added activities. In other words, you could increase productivity and efficiency while lowering labor expenses. 

Robotic automation is becoming increasingly popular in the automotive and warehousing sectors because the skilled technician shortage is a persistent problem. A 2024 research report found there are three job openings for every tech school graduate. 

When deciding on a brand and model, consider the robot’s dimensions, lifting capacity and reach. It should be narrow and maneuverable enough to navigate your aisles with ease. Ideally, it should be safe to deploy around human workers. However, you could always fully automate tire storage and designate a separate area for it.

4. Use Ergonomic Tire Carts

Ergonomic carts can help reduce back injuries associated with your tire storage process. They are designed to carry wheels, making them durable and capable of supporting hundreds of pounds. Some resemble the conventional dolly, while others are shaped like carts. Whatever design you choose, they are among the most affordable stock handling solutions.

5. Deploy Tire Conveyors

If you have a large facility or a mezzanine, you need tire conveyors to streamline transport and handling. These systems use a heavy-duty rubber belt or a steel roller to move tires from one area to another. They can be flat, curved, angled or have a 90-degree incline. Depending on which you pick, you can achieve floor-to-floor movement in seconds. 

The power mechanism determines the direction in which you can move the product. A motorized belt with control boxes at either end can transport items in both directions with the press of a button, whereas a gravity-fed solution only moves them downward. 

To select the right system for your facility, consider how many tires it can handle per minute. Typically, a motorized conveyor can move more than gravity-fed rollers. The weight limit and belt length are also important.

6. Set up Articulated Lifting Arms

Use an articulating pneumatic arm — also called a lift assist arm — to effortlessly lift, rotate and move product to and from storage. This operator-controlled system makes it safer and easier to mount or stack tires.

It also reduces the risk of lower back strain, a common issue in this industry. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 64,930 freight, stock and material movers experienced an injury involving days away from work in 2020. For nearly 20% of them, back strain was the cause. Most injuries occurred during lifting tasks.

7. Apply Just-in-Time Inventory

You can minimize your storage needs by only storing the tires you need. By basing your inventory on current and forecasted demand, you save valuable floor space. This approach is more of an operational adjustment than a layout change. It requires a resilient and reliable supply chain to ensure you receive your order within a consistent time frame.

Improve Operations With These Storage Solutions 

Deploying one or more of these storage and retrieval solutions can maximize your facility’s capacity and make handling more convenient. Whether you install top-rated industrial storage carousels or invest in robotic automation, you will see operational benefits.