Tyre Savings

Two years ago Michelin introduced the first-ever radial tyre for skid-steer loaders, the XZSL.

One of the many companies to try this tyre was Aggregate Industries at their Heights Quarry, near Stanhope, Durham. At the site a Thomas skid-steer loader is used for general clean-up operations around the crushers and conveyor belts but in the punishing conditions its tyres were only lasting for about three months (500–600h).

Eighteen months ago a set of Michelin XZSLs were fitted which are only now nearing the end of their life. Despite the small premium paid for Michelin replacements, the actual monthly operating cost for the skid-steer tyres has been reduced from £112 to just £30 (a saving of over 70%). The cost of repairing punctures has also been drastically reduced as the number of punctures has been negligible, which was not the case with the previous cross-ply tyres.