Truck mechanic career and dangers

I was changing truck tires at 11 yrs old. Just be safe

 

Follow safety protocols, that's what they are there for. Every one of those vids was a clear violation.

 

If I let fear rule my life I'd be in a padded room 24/7. Channel that fear into caution.

Here I'll explain the clips:
#1: Sidewall blew out. Can be the result of overinflation or a defect in the tire that may or may not have been noticeable during inspection. Unsafe work practices there as the tire should have been in a cage.

#2: Guy dropped a split rim tire. Split rim tires are very dangerous (for exactly the reason shown in the video). They have also been obsolete here for decades. Chances are you'll never come across one (in on-highway applications, still found on off-highway stuff).

#3: Dude jammed something into the tire (watch closely). He deserved that for being a dummy IMO.

#4: The guy was leaning against the cage when the tire blew. That is the correct tool for the job. Just don't lean against it.


Hearing protection, safety glasses and work boots are a must when working around tires.

 

be more specific-

Where you changing them out in the 'Barn" Using Ether and a match to get the tire to take air?

Where you airing up tube 10.00x20's?

Or did you actually have a tire cage at 11 years old in a clean,Well lit shop with painted concrete floors and a uniform on?

At 11 years old- How do you determine whats "Safe" When changing truck tires?

 

.I have been around these trucks and been changing tires for 30 years now.I have done thousands of tires and have seen 3 blowup.2 of the tires that blew up were old and had damage that I failed to see (100% preventable).The other was a recap that blew up on a hot day in the yard without the truck even moving.I still deal in split rims (10.00-20) as they are on the overseas chassis trailers still.On those I mount and inflate just enough to seat the beads.I then install them on the trailer and inflate with a remote hose.On these trailers the outside tire has the ring pointing inward and the inside tire ring points outward.My other advice is to NEVER inflate a flat tire without dismounting it and inspecting it FIRST!!I also dont put on customers spares if I see any damage or if tires appear too old and weathered.When they get to 7 years old I start getting alot pickier on what I will Install.The customers always say :" I'm just going 100 miles etc." I am concerned for my safety airing it up more so than being worried about him getting 100 miles on it.Around here the big commercial tire guys have very strict rules for their tireman putting on spares.Truckers get mad sometimes but I have no problem telling them to take their business elsewhere.You wont last long doing half assed jobs for underfunded O/O's that want you to cut corners to save a buck.Respect the tires and the air psi,Respect the weight of the trucks and trailers on the jacks and respect the traffic whizzing by you on the freeway as you make the repairs and you will be fine.

 

the last one isn't a real person its a crashdummy.

 

At 11 I myself was pumping up 9:00-20's on Dayton tube type with a hand pump. My uncles way of keeping me out of his way, I never once thought of the dangers that could be, but I do now. Being born in 1918 he didn't see the need in a cage. Our best freind is common horse sense, sadly few use it as an adult. Dad worked for General Tire & rubber in the 70's after leaving the Army, heard plenty horror stories.

 

I used to help the old man change tires and stuff when I was 8 or 9. Mainly just organizing parts and stuff like installing the rollers in brake shoes and greasing the tire beads. I never did mount and demount tires until I went to school when I was 17 though. Dad had enough of doing tires himself after the first year or 2 in the business lol.

 

Looks to me it is only dangerous to change tires in 3rd world countries.