Factors to consider when selecting tires

Tires are important contributors to successful vehicle operation.

They also can represent a significant investment. That’s why it’s important to select the right tires for your machines – a process that takes time, energy and careful analysis.

A number of factors should be considered when evaluating quarry tires. Analyzing your worksite’s “footprint” tops the list.

Before choosing a specific tire, you should have a thorough understanding of your equipment’s activities and what its tires “will be asked to do.” This involves determining your work site’s ton-mile-per-hour (TMPH) rating.

This can be accomplished by mounting a location-tracking unit on a vehicle and letting it run for a designated time period to develop what is commonly called a “site map.”

Track the distance the truck travels, its speed and the load it’s carrying. A calculation of the average load and the vehicle’s average speed will give you the TMPH of the route in which your equipment is operating.

Every quarry tire, regardless of application or size, also has a certain TPMH rating from its manufacturer to indicate the maximum recommended amount it should carry at a certain speed.

In all cases, make sure you pick a tire whose TMPH rating is at least equal to or higher than your work area’s TMPH rating. Selecting a tire with a lesser TMPH is never recommended and can adversely impact performance.

Questions to ask

We also recommend that you look at what’s underneath your tires. Is the surface free of rocks and other sharp objects? If so, a tire with a shallow tread depth might be appropriate. Is the surface loose? In that case, you might want to use a tire that boasts increased tread depth for extra traction.

Look for other potential problem areas, including roads that lead into and out of the quarry. Are there things that can be done, such as laying down gravel, to help improve traction? How steep are the surface inclines and declines?

Pay attention to how roads slope upward or downward. Roads that are built steeply on an upward trajectory can cause a vehicle’s center of gravity to shift backwards, which puts more strain on its rear tires. Roads with a steep downward slope can place more pressure on a vehicle’s front tires.

Continue to look around. Is there standing water on the site that will allow tires to cut more easily, and can hide “tire-eating” objects? Are there drainage channels that funnel water safely away? Is the ground surface flat and debris-free? How many curves are your vehicles required to navigate?

We strongly recommend that you involve a local tire professional in this process. These professionals can provide specialized consultation.

Air up and roll on

You’ve selected your tires and they’re now in service. What’s next? Work with a local tire professional to establish a tire maintenance program. This can often pay big dividends when it comes to optimizing your tire investment.

Maintaining proper inflation levels is the most effective thing you can do to enhance tire performance and longevity. Consistent, correct inflation positively impacts tire wear and casing life. It also can help reduce the amount of fuel that your vehicles consume.

Incorporate inflation checks into your pre-shift vehicle inspection. If that isn’t possible, check inflation pressures at least once weekly. Avoid over-inflation, which can lead to uneven wear and even make tires more vulnerable to cuts and ruptures when traveling across challenging surfaces.

Also, avoid under-inflation, which leads to damaging effects from over-deflection. And never overload your tires.

The benefits achieved through informed tire selection can be negated by poor tire maintenance. Help ensure that your tires are in top working condition.

---

Eric Matson is the global field engineering manager for The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.’s OTR tire business.