(PDF, 101 mb) - USAID

Newburn & Muzaale from Bonde 12/8/82
Tvre Retreading Plant - Pg 2.
Reasons for such low mileage:
S1) Bad roads
2) Poor vehicle maintenance
3) Under or over-inflation
41 Overloading of vehicle
Prior to the U.S. freeway system, we were using trucks *ith
190 to 207 h.p. engines and getting from 200,000 to 230;000
miles out of a tyre. When we started using the freeway, and
had to maintain a 45 mph maximum speed, we had to increase
to'290 to 318*h.p. engines, or more. We are now reduced to
80,000 to 100,00 mileage on a tyre.
We got approximately 20 percent more miles out of a Bandag
retread than from a new tyre, because the Bandag cap has
thicker rubber. In May of 1982 we were paying $61 for a
Bandag top cap. 'We had a percentage warranty if the retread
failed. That is, if we used 50 percent of the tread, we received
a refund of $30.50.
I asked Mr. Kassam if U.C.T.U. could get a discount if they
had a large volume of recapping, and he said this could be
negotiated when his operation is underway.
A serious problem here in Uganda, is that there are no
pressure gauges to measure air pressure, so it is impossible
to maintain proper air pressure in the tyres. Tubeless tvres
could be used but are not practical because of the rough roads,
since rims get bent, and the tubeless tyre would lose its
seal.
I recommend the U.C.T.U. start, on a limited basis, using
retreaded tyres to see if it is economical. When I get back
to the States, I will get current prices for retreads from
a plant using the Bandag system.
141