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Mining Done Right: Earthmover Tyres and Causes of Damage

In a rapidly developing world which is heavily dependent on metals and mining, it is imperative that mining equipment and vehicles receive topnotch consideration and services. Earthmovers, one of the significant mining automobiles, need to be maintained carefully and regularly. Mining activity is subjected to heavy loads, rough terrain, and long hours of operation. The environment of its working is rough and the weather can get extreme. All these factors affect the performance and life of the vehicle. Since mining is the backbone of infrastructural development, we need to ensure that no such hurdle befalls it.

Tyre is the very base of a healthy vehicle, and we need to keep in mind that earthmover tyres are no different. There are several manufacturers who produce earthmover tyres, offering varying levels of specifications. Mining operations demand earthmover tyres have a high load-carrying capacity, reduced wear, resistance to cuts, cooler running, lower contact pressure, and many more characteristics. 

In this article, we will discuss some of the key reasons for Earthmover tyre damages.

Causes of Damage

Earthmover tyres can be subjected to damage if proper measures are not taken against it. Some of the critical causes of damage can be:

Under or over-inflation: This will severely affect the performance of the tyre as air pressure gives the tyre the capability to bear the load correctly. Underinflation can lead to fatigue and heat build-up within the tyres due to excessive flexing of the sidewall. This can cause structural deterioration and damages in the tyres such as separation failures. Overinflation on the other hand leads to premature wear of the tread, reduced resistance to impacts and cuts, and uneven wear. 

 

 

Overloading: A hazard to any and all types of vehicles, overloading will risk the performance of the tyre. It can lead to abnormal temperatures rises, increased flexing, and weakening of the tyre structure which may lead to premature scrapping of the tyre even if the tread still shows very little sign of wear. 

 

Excessive speeding: This will also cause an increase in the internal temperature of the tyre, causing its components to overheat, resulting in irreversible damage to the tire’s structure. 

Mechanical Forces: damages can be caused or aggravated by:

    • Hammering connected with regular impact on the tread blocks, traveling over very hard, smooth surfaces on high speed. 
    • Centrifugal forces connected with the curvature of the bends and cornering speed. 
    • Impact on poorly maintained surfaces (badly graded, presence of stones, holes, ruts, etc.) haul roads, face area, and the dumping site.

Therefore it is imperative for the mine maintenance engineers and technicians to keep a check and regularly monitor the above parameters to ensure Earthmover tyres are worn out delivering the desired life and NOT THROWN OUT.

Tips for tyres: A novice’s guide

No one wants to be stranded on the side of the road as their tyre gives up halfway through the road trip. Life is a long journey and you must keep your tyres in the best shape. Not everyone knows about the correct methods of tyre maintenance but it is the most important thing to know about if you want to keep your vehicle in a top-notch condition. 

To take care of your tyres’ health, you need to be careful. Follow these tips brought to you by the Tyre Doctor to maintain your tyres’ fresh condition and enable yourself a smooth and safe ride.

  • Tyre Pressure

While on the road, make sure that your tyre has appropriate pressure. Proper inflation is very important since it ensures optimal braking and thereby safety, better grip, soft drive, and of course saves fuel. For correct pressure refer to the car manufacturers recommend pressure for the front and rear axle. Normally this can be found on the body frame of the driver’s door. Make sure to use a reliable pressure gauge. Regular checks must be done to ensure the safety of the vehicle.

  • Regular Checks for Wear

This is the most common and the most important lesson in tyre maintenance. Check your tyres for wear every month and especially after long road trips. Inspect your tyre’s tread wear indicator on the read grooves and remove them from service when the time comes. Check for debris or nail or any such material stuck to your tyres. Take a look at the sidewalls to ensure there aren’t any cuts or bulges. Bald or nearly bald tyres may cause accidents on wet roads to inspect the rear wear indicator on the tread.

  • Spare Tyre Regular Checks

Needless to say, you should always carry a spare tyre with you. That is Driving 101. But something that one should always keep in mind is to regularly check your spare tyre. A trick you can adopt is to give your spare tyre a thorough check every time you rotate your regular tyres. When inspecting your spare tyre, note if it has been damaged or shows any excessive wear, and check the tread as well as the air pressure in the spare tyre.

  • No Overloading

Every tyre is unique and every tyre has its limitations when it comes to overloading. The information on how much load can a tyre take can be found with the manufacturer or any manual of the product that you might have. Overloading can cause excessive damage to the tyres. If you are going to carry something heavy with you, then get the required type of tyres for your vehicle. 

  • Wheel Alignment

It is very important to keep an eye on the tyre or wheel alignment of your vehicle. If this is not properly adjusted, it can cause abnormal wearing of the tyres. Misalignment might happen when you drive through and/or hit a certain obstacle. Even in the cases of minor and major accidents can the alignment be disrupted. Proper wheel alignment would ensure a safe and smooth ride as well as a long life to your tyres.

  • Tyre Rotation

This is an important step to ensure the wear of tyres is even. It should be done according to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation. It increases the tyre’s tread life. An evenly worn set of tyres would ensure low stress on the drive terrain. There are many methods and patterns of tyre rotation including X-pattern, forwards cross, rearward cross, front-to-front, and side-to-side- depending on the size and functions of the set of tyres.

  • The Right Storage

The storage of tyres must be carefully done since tyres are rather sensitive to environmental damage. Some people might use tyre hotels to store them while the cost-effective method (or if you can’t afford or don’t have tyre hotel services in your region) is storing them at your house. To ensure the safety of your tyre, make sure to clean them before storing and ensure they are completely dry. Do not put any gloss product on the tyres. Put them in an airtight plastic bag separately and store them in a cold, dry place which is moderately ventilated. Avoid chemical exposure or excessive heat.

Tyres keep your ride going. It is imperative that you give them the care they deserve. If you follow these steps and take care of your tyres, your journey will be smooth.