OTR keep the pressure on earthmover tyres

‘THE correct pressure in earthmover tyres not only improves the safety and stability of the vehicle, but gives operators a much improved return on their investment’. ‘That is a pretty obvious statement,’ said OTR’s regional sales manager Paul Skerritt, ‘but you would be amazed at what we find on site sometimes.’

To overcome this type of situation, in addition to regular on-site tyre inspection and maintenance, OTR can now supply tyre pressure monitoring systems as part of their earthmover tyre management service.

Graeme Manning, OTR’s commercial director, said: ‘Inflation pressure is one of the most important factors affecting tyre life. Fuel efficiency is greatly affected too – a tyre under-inflated by 10% reduces fuel efficiency by 1.5%.’

Under-inflation decreases the tension in the casing cords and increases the tread contact area, resulting in: potential casing failure, due to increased deflection and stresses; uneven tread wear, due to distortion in the contact area, possibly causing shoulder wear; higher rolling resistance, due to the greater force required to move the tyre; and possible tyre/rim slip, due to reduced tyre-to-rim clamping forces.

Conversely, over-inflation increases the tension in the casing cords and reduces the tread contact area, which results in: reduced grip, especially on smooth, wet surfaces; lower traction, due to reduced tread contact area; increased tread wear in the centre of the tyre, due to reduced width of contact area; and increased risk of damage, due to greater tension in the cords.

The pressure monitors fitted by OTR are simple to install, consisting of two basic components: tyre sensors that screw on to the valve stems of the tyres; and a monitor fitted in the cab. The sensors transmit a coded RF signal and the in-ab monitor displays each tyre’s pressure reading and sounds and audible alert if tyre pressure drops.