Off-road tyre shortage sparks interest in tyre care
The large off-the-road (OTR) tyres used in the quarrying, mining and construction industries are finally getting the respect they deserve, say Goodyear, whose sales force is finding the current severe tyre shortages and rocketing demand are making basic tyre care popular at many work sites.
Tim Good, Goodyear’s OTR global customer account manager, and his field associates are currently re-educating customers at conferences and during on-site visits on how to make their tyres last longer by restating the basics of tyre care.
‘Customers are taking our advice to heart,’ he says. ‘They realize that tyre care – such as weekly tyre inflation checks, regular tyre rotation, reduced payloads and driving slower – greatly improves tyre service life.
‘Tyres operating in mining, aggregate and construction require frequent attention. The work terrain, which is often littered with rocks and other debris, must be monitored and maintained often. These objects can puncture and ruin new tyres very quickly.’
According to industry data, just 7% of OTR tyres are actually ‘worn out’ when they are removed from service; tread and sidewall cuts and impacts account for 74% of the removals.
Mr Good encourages quarrying and mining companies to seek additional advice from a Goodyear-certified OTR dealer who will track, identify, evaluate and offer suggestions on problem areas. ‘Service is key right now,’ he says. ‘We all need to enhance tyre performance while decreasing the need for new OTR tyres during this severe shortage.
‘If there is a silver lining in the clouds of OTR tyre demand, it’s that everyone is more aware of their tyres. A focused tyre program – with weekly tyre inflation checks, proper tyre repair, site surveys and retreading – may allow tyres to last much longer than normal, which can have a major impact for everyone.’
Goodyear, TyreFort, 88–98 Wingfoot Way, Erdington, Birmingham B24 9HY; tel: (0121) 306 6000; fax: (0121) 306 6310.
Tim Good, Goodyear’s OTR global customer account manager, and his field associates are currently re-educating customers at conferences and during on-site visits on how to make their tyres last longer by restating the basics of tyre care.
‘Customers are taking our advice to heart,’ he says. ‘They realize that tyre care – such as weekly tyre inflation checks, regular tyre rotation, reduced payloads and driving slower – greatly improves tyre service life.
‘Tyres operating in mining, aggregate and construction require frequent attention. The work terrain, which is often littered with rocks and other debris, must be monitored and maintained often. These objects can puncture and ruin new tyres very quickly.’
According to industry data, just 7% of OTR tyres are actually ‘worn out’ when they are removed from service; tread and sidewall cuts and impacts account for 74% of the removals.
Mr Good encourages quarrying and mining companies to seek additional advice from a Goodyear-certified OTR dealer who will track, identify, evaluate and offer suggestions on problem areas. ‘Service is key right now,’ he says. ‘We all need to enhance tyre performance while decreasing the need for new OTR tyres during this severe shortage.
‘If there is a silver lining in the clouds of OTR tyre demand, it’s that everyone is more aware of their tyres. A focused tyre program – with weekly tyre inflation checks, proper tyre repair, site surveys and retreading – may allow tyres to last much longer than normal, which can have a major impact for everyone.’
Goodyear, TyreFort, 88–98 Wingfoot Way, Erdington, Birmingham B24 9HY; tel: (0121) 306 6000; fax: (0121) 306 6310.
