The Contractor’s Tire Problem

Although tires represent a major portion of the operating cost on rubber-tired earthmoving equipment, these costs are not as scientifically predictable as explosive costs or ripper teeth replacement costs when estimating a job. Tires have not developed at the same rate equipment manufacturers have improved the design and resulting performance of rubber tired equipment. Each year the construction jobs grow more rugged. The nature of jobs is such that tires for haulage equipment must be suitable for the short haul as well as the long haul type jobs. Although excellent haul roads can be maintained between the cut and fill areas, work at the cut and fill expose the tires to severe cutting.

An integral part of the development of a suitable tire construction technique should be a low cost method of repairing a damaged carcass, thereby providing an extension of the tire life. Together with this a recapping should be developed which will give this tire the same reliability as a new tire in the larger earthmoving sizes.