Getting A Grip On The Global Tyre Crisis

OTR Tyres offer some solutions to the worldwide supply shortage

With worldwide demand for earthmover tyres continuing to exceed supply, the global tyre shortage and escalating prices show no sign of letting up, indeed current opinion suggests that demand will significantly exceed supply through to 2010. According to Alfreton-based earthmover tyre specialists OTR Tyres Ltd, tyres are in shorter supply now than at any other time in history, and many mine operators around the world are being forced to park up machines.

Difficulties in global earthmover tyre production and supply first became apparent during the second half of 2004, brought about by increasing infrastructure developments in India and Russia and burgeoning economic growth in China. In fact, China alone has accounted for one third of the growth in the world economy over the past three years, with the country’s insatiable demand for raw materials reshaping the commodities market and influencing international mining.

Although major tyre manufacturers have taken steps to help alleviate the problem — Michelin are building a new factory in Brazil with production scheduled for the end of 2007 and Bridgestone’s new factory in Japan will be producing tyres by the end of this year — supply difficulties are not expected to ease until 2008 and will probably become even more acute in the meantime.

According to OTR Tyres’ sales director, Les Williams, no site in the world will escape the fallout from the crisis, and the challenge for UK quarry operators will be to obtain the maximum possible life out of every tyre. ‘Supply is unlikely to meet even existing demand and there is no magic solution to this problem,’ he says. ‘Operators must look after their tyres and manage their assets carefully to maximize tyre life. Tyre preservation is the solution.’

So what does Mr Williams suggest operators should do to prolong the life of their tyres? ‘Making sure tyres are inflated to the correct pressure is a good starting point, as over- or under-inflation can drastically reduce tyre life,’ he explains. For example, running a tyre that is under-inflated by 20% will reduce its life by 25%, while at 30% under-inflation tyre life can be reduced by up to 50%.

To help address this problem, OTR Tyres have adopted a proactive approach by developing a special pressure gauge that can be permanently attached to the tyre valve, thereby allowing drivers to carry out regular pressure checks themselves. Mr Williams says over 5,000 of these devices are already in use with OTR customers.

Proper matching of earthmover tyres is another key contributor to tyre preservation, as mis-matched tyres can cause rapid tyre wear, casing damage and increased risk of tyre failure, as well as axle and transmission problems. Mr Williams also recommends the use of tyre chains on prime movers working in harsh conditions, as this can improve tyre service life by three of four times compared with unprotected tyres.

Extended tyre life can also be achieved through correct machine operation, says Mr Williams, who warns that overloading a tyre by 20% can result in a 30% reduction in its tread life. ‘Quarry managers should instruct their drivers to avoid repeated and heavy braking, rapid acceleration, cornering at high speeds and spinning of the drive wheels,’ he adds, ‘as all of these have a detrimental effect on tyre life.’

Clean and tidy site conditions also play a significant part in prolonging tyre life. Mr Williams points to spillage on haul roads, untidy primary crusher loading points and other tipping areas, and large pools of standing water that can conceal hidden obstructions, as potential tyre hazards. ‘All these can result in serious tread and sidewall damage,’ he says.

OTR Tyres are also reinforcing the advantages of remoulds to those earthmover tyre users who have not yet looked at their benefits. ‘If tyres have been well managed and maintained, good casings are capable of having a second and even third life, depending on the number of hours worked,’ explains Mr Williams.

OTR ReMould performance results show immediate cost savings on tyre tread wear rates with, in some cases, running costs being achieved that are less than half the cost per hour of new tyres, and ReMould tyres returning in excess of 25% more hours per millimetre.

OTR ReMoulds are currently available, using customers own casings, in 20.5R25 RTH, 23.5R25 RTDN, 26.5R25 RTDN, 29.5R25 RTDN and the new 750/65R25 RTDN.

With the tyre crisis set to continue for several more years, operators need to acknowledge the situation, be aware of the consequences and aim to achieve as much life as possible from their tyres, says Mr Williams. One way of achieving this, he suggests, is through OTR Tyres’ bespoke earthmover tyre-management programme, TotalTyreLogic, which prolongs tyre life through preventative maintenance.
‘TotalTyreLogic not only tracks, monitors and manages the condition of tyres, but also encompasses site surveys and detailed recommendations of operational practices to aid annual budgeting and give visible asset management.’

For further information, contact Les Williams on tel: (01773) 520885; fax: (01773) 520882; or email: leswilliams@otr-tyres.co.uk