Technical Tire Management - Part I

Simple and inexpensive actions that can generate a great positive impact on your business

Although the topic of tire management may seem over-explored, I still consider it extremely relevant, as many companies still stumble over this issue.

In the mining, agriculture, construction, and logistics sectors, the cost of this wear material represents a significant portion of maintenance expenses, even with good management in place.

Now, imagine what happens when the management of this wear item is inefficient or ineffective.

I will post an article each week with initiatives that will help improve the management and maintenance of this component. These actions will guide maintenance professionals to achieve success in their roles, especially regarding sustainability, maintenance costs, and tire longevity. So, let's get to the point.

1) Before starting the equipment operations, a visual inspection to identify damage is essential.

The purpose of this initial inspection is to identify damages, such as punctures, cuts, irregularities, or even damages caused by metal objects stuck in the tire tread, which could lead to a future puncture.

Once any damage is identified, the equipment should undergo maintenance evaluation. If repair is possible, it should be carried out. If not, the tire should be replaced, and if it cannot be refurbished, it must be disposed of properly.

2) Checking the tire wear behavior during the inspection is also crucial.

a. When this wear is irregular, the equipment may have issues related to balancing, alignment, or even suspension problems, as shown in the figure below

b. When this wear is regular, but there is a difference in wear between one axle and another, for example, a difference in wear between the rear and front axles, it can be a sign that it's time to rotate the tires. This difference in wear is related to the fact that the traction axles accelerate the wear due to friction and braking. To make it easier to understand, we can draw a comparison with passenger cars. In these vehicles, wear tends to be more accelerated on the front axles than on the rear ones, as the front axles are generally responsible for traction in most vehicles.

3. The tire calibration routine seems like something obvious to do, but it can sometimes be neglected.

Several issues can be exacerbated by improper tire calibration, including problems related to the safety of the equipment's operation. For this reason, it is important to maintain a regular calibration schedule, with the most common practice being to perform this calibration every fifteen days.

The correct pressure for tire calibration should always be in accordance with the specifications in the manufacturer's manual.

Since pressure is related to temperature, it is always important to calibrate the tires when they are cold, as an increase in temperature also affects the increase in pressure.

When it comes to tire pressures, two situations can occur.

a. Overinflated tire – in this case, there is accelerated and uneven wear in the center of the tire, reducing the tire's lifespan.

b. Underinflated tire – In this case, there is greater wear on the sides of the tire due to the way it makes contact with the ground.

In conclusion, the idea at this initial stage is to show that effective tire management begins with simple actions and initiatives that do not incur high costs.

In the upcoming articles, more actions that are important for tire management will be discussed.