Safety
TM 5-3805-248-14&P-1
If it is absolutely necessary to approach a
machine with a suspected tire, do not get
closer to the tires than 15 m (50 feet) at
the front or rear of the machine, nor closer
Proper nitrogen inflation equipment and
to the side of the tire than 460 m (1500
training in its use are necessary to avoid
feet).
over inflation. A tire blowout or rim failure
can result from improper or misused
Do not approach any tire on the machine
equipment.
if there is a brake fire, burning rubber or
other indications that excessive heat was
generated by the brakes. Brake-generated
heat probably affects all other tires on the
machine, even though the visual evidence is
In addition to reducing the risk of an
explosion, using nitrogen instead of air to
only at one tire.
inflate tires lessens the slow oxidation of
If there is evidence of a brake fire or the
the rubber and the accompanying gradual
smell of burning rubber, don't go near the
tire deterioration. This is especially
machine.FIGHT THESE FIRES FROM A
important for tires that have an expected
REMOTE LOCATION. (Too often, the
long service life (4 or more years). It also
immediate response to a fire involving tires
reduces the corrosion of rim components
or brakes, is for people to grab a hand-
and the resultant disassembly problems
held fire extinguisher and rush up close to
the machine to help put out the fire.) Stay
Because a fully charged nitrogen cylinder's
pressure is approximately 15 000 kPa
away from the machine until the tires cool
Allow at least eight hours for the tires to
(2200 psi), a tire blowout and/or rim failure
can occur if the inflation equipment is not
cool before approaching the machine.
used correctly See "Nitrogen lnflation
Keep observers out of the area, and at
Information." which follows.
least 460 meters ( 1500 feet) away from the
Nitrogen Inflation Information
side of the tire and 15 meters (50 feet)
away from the front or rear of the machine.
See the above drawing.
There iS no absolutely safe approach when
fighting a machine fire. Approach only at
the front or the rear of the machine and
use a large dozer as a shield.
Inflation of Tires with Nitrogen
Caterpillar recommends using dry nitrogen
(N2) gas for both tire inflation, and tire
pressure adjustments on all current and
past production rubber tired machines.
support combustion inside the tire.
Stand behind the tread when inflating a
tire.
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