View Full August PDF Issue - Utility Contractor Online

Watching theKeeping a Close Eye on TireCondition Can Be Vital to YourBottom LineBy Todd RamseyHere’s an easy tip to help you improve yourbottom line — take care of your tires. Tires aretoo often an afterthought to some contractorsand machinery operators. When properlymaintained, tires remain in service longer, reduce downtimeand help to keep equipment operating efficiently.Just as any part of a contractor’s business plan, the keysteps to making it work are knowledge and execution.Making the right choices in tire selection can often be justas important as developing a simple maintenance routine.In the long run, spending just a few minutes a day maintainingyour tires can help you avoid hours of downtimeand additional repair costs. Establishing (and following)regular tire maintenance steps can prove to be an integralpart of the success of your overall equipmentmaintenance program.The Importance of SelectionMatching the proper tire to the machine and the applicationis another way to maximize productivity from anequipment tire. Site managers should implement a tailoredtire management program. This should include elementssuch as proper haul road or site maintenance,properly training operators in best practices and continuallymonitoring air pressure and temperature.The impact that a tire program has on equipment productivityis less visible than actual tire costs. However, amachine that runs more efficiently has a direct effect ona company’s profitability. By matching the right tread,rubber compound and air pressure to the job, operatorscan often improve traction, gas mileage and up time ontheir machines — all of which improve productivity andwiden profit margins. Every worksite is different, withunique demands and conditions that must be addressed.Factors such as the tread pattern and depth of a tiredetermine how it will interact with the landscape. Thesecan influence how much traction and adherence a tirecan have along with how much damage the tire canresist.Another element of a tire is the chemical makeup ofthe rubber compounds. Similar to tread pattern anddepth, the selection of the rubber compound is determinedby the application and worksite conditions.Softer compounds are usually used where vehiclesneed to move faster for longer periods of time on wellmaintainedroads. Harder compounds are used inextreme conditions where cuts, abrasions and tears aremore of a concern. Michelin, for example, uses up tosix different rubber compounds to develop tires thatmeet specific needs.Many developments have been made to accommodatethe different conditions contractors put their equipmentthrough as they travel from jobsite to jobsite. In the1940s, almost all construction, mining and quarryequipment ran on bias ply tires. A bias ply tire is made oftextile plies, usually nylon or rayon, crisscrossed on topof one another and bonded together by a rubber compound.This design is prone to damage from poor heatconduction and punctures. In addition, sidewall distortioncan lead to uneven wear and reduced adhesionbetween plies.In 1959, Michelin brought radial tire technology tothe heavy equipment market. The biggest differencebetween a radial and a bias ply tire is that the sidewallof a radial is separate from the crown, allowing eachcomponent to work independently, and thereby to36 Utility Contractor | August 2007