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Pump up longevity and productivity
Inflation pressure also affects tire life and overall operating costs. "Tire pressure maintenance is the No. 1 influence on tire longevity," says Junkins. "If you don't take care of your air, the tire may fail early."

Under-inflation is particularly detrimental. "The structure [of the tire] reinforces it and provides good wear, good traction and holds the air," says Rexroad. "But when it comes to supporting the load, it's all about the air. If there isn't enough, the tire will flex more; that generates heat, which is the biggest enemy of the tire. It degrades the rubber, and the excess flexing shortens tire life. The tire will likely come out of service much earlier than expected."

Too much pressure, however, can stretch the tire and tighten the tread, increasing the chances of punctures. "Over-inflation makes the tire more susceptible to damage from rocks and other debris," says White. The tire doesn't want to 'give' as much and you're more likely to have an object go through it, which can lead to downtime and lost productivity.

Over-inflation also affects operator comfort by reducing a tire's dampening capability. This limits its ability to act as a suspension system, which is especially important on wheel loaders and scrapers.

"Because there is no suspension system on these machines, tire pressure is important," says Rexroad. "When you run over a rough surface, the shock has to go through the tires. Whatever isn't absorbed by the tires is passed on to the equipment, which means more wear and tear on the machine, and also wear and tear on the operator."