The earthmoving industry often views tyres as a distress purchase, which is perhaps not surprising considering the expenses involved in replacing them. In contrast, if the right tyre is chosen for the right job and maintained properly, whole-life costs can be reduced significantly through improved performance, fuel savings, and longer tyre life. Additionally, better knowledge of earthmovers’ tyres will also lead to enhanced comfort and safety, as well as lower emissions.

It all starts with choosing the right earthmover’s tyre. The fact that all tyres are black and round doesn’t mean they’re all the same. Compared with previous heavy equipment tyre designs, modern earthmover tyres offer a wide range of technological advancements.

While purchasing technologically advanced tyres offer many advantages and pros, here are some tips on extending your earthmover’s tyre life.

Adjust the tyre pressure after each use

Most standard cars only need to have their tyre pressure levels adjusted once every few weeks. However, this is not the case for earthmoving equipment. Ideally, you should re-inflate your earthmoving tyres’ pressure levels after each use.

This is primarily due to the combined weight of the vehicle itself and the load it is moving, bearing down on the tyres. This enormous weight means that earthmoving tyres tend to deflate at a much faster rate than smaller road vehicles.

Allow the tyres to cool

Earthmoving tyres that are used for hours on end, without a break, can generate a substantial amount of internal heat. This heat can lead to the tyre rubber degrading rapidly.

As such, it is important for the operator of the earthmoving equipment to take regular breaks so that any heat that the tyres have generated during the previous journey has time to dissipate before it begins to damage the rubber.

Additionally, operators should avoid driving the equipment too quickly, as this too can result in the tyre rubber becoming very hot. Whilst driving at high speeds might increase overall efficiency levels in a construction project, it could also lead to increased costs, as the equipment’s tyres will wear out and need to be replaced prematurely.

Always Operate the Equipment Properly

Improper operation of your earthmoving equipment can mean serious trouble for your tyres. The operators should avoid endangering habits, such as frequent and heavy braking and negotiating corners at very high speeds. These and other similar actions will cause excessive heat generation within the tyres, leading to premature wear and tear. It’s therefore important to train every member of your crew of operators about the best practices in machine operation.

Stick to the Load Limit

Loading up beyond the recommended limit will compromise the performance and longevity of your tyres. The excess load will cause an increase in tyre temperatures and wear away the tread.

Do Not Overspeed

Overspeeding will cause an increase in the internal temperature of your earthmoving tyres beyond its acceptable internal critical temperature. It will also cause the tread to wear off rapidly.

Adjust the torque to match your load 

Tyres are probably the most expensive wear part on a wheel loader. Features that allow you to adjust your wheel loader’s torque to match the conditions of your worksite help reduce unnecessary tyre spin and tyre wear in poor or slick ground conditions. It can drastically cut down on tyre wear.

We genuinely hope that you find our tips useful and that they extend the life of your earthmovers’ tyres. If you have questions about your tyres or our services, please do not hesitate to contact Oceanic Direct. We are passionate about tyres, and we can’t wait to help you with all your needs in Australia.