You’ve got the job contract; you’ve got the crew, now you just need the right tools and equipment to take on the job. If the work requires heavy equipment, a quick check to ensure your construction tires are in good operating condition and right for the job, can avoid costly delays out on the job site.
Construction Tire Classifications
Off-road tires for Heavy Equipment come in a few different types. The type of tire you need will depend on what kind of equipment you are using, and the application. The tires are rated as E, L, or G. “E” is for Earth-mover equipment such as Scrapers, Articulated Dump or Rigid Dump Trucks. “L” is for Loaders and Dozers and “G” is used for Graders. Loader tires or “L” tires will generally have more sidewall protection due to the typical terrain they work in area in, whereas a transport tire on an earthmover will not have the same level of sidewall protection but can handle the stresses of carrying loads at higher speeds.
Tread Types
After you’ve determined which type of tire you need to purchase it’s time to decide which tread pattern to go with. The biggest factor when determining the tread type to use is the job-site or the typical terrain your equipment operates in. For common Loader applications an L2 or L3 is recommended. An L2 tire will give you maximum traction and cleaning ability in sand and soft conditions. An L3 tire is used in general loading applications that require more resistance to scrapes and impacts for example in rocky lots. The L3 tires had more durable rubber than an L2, for example. L5 construction tires are the toughest. They offer deep tread and longer tread life, and extreme durable, chip resistance rubber for in quarries. The added protection does come at higher price because there is typically a lot more material used in an L5 tire than a L4 or L3 tire.
Frequency, and Length of Service
Another consideration is how often you use the equipment and the scope of the work performed. If you are using the equipment infrequently, for a short amount of time, you may want to consider the up-front cost of the replacement tires. If the tires are used infrequently for short periods of time, the tires will likely not heat up enough to cause any performance issues. However, if you are a commercial operator that uses the equipment for an extended amount of time each day, you’ll want to consider which tires will be better for the long haul.
Some manufacturers have construction tires that are dual marked. These dual marked tires are suitable for transport or loader applications. For example, these construction tires would be marked “E3/L3” and can be used on a transport vehicle or loader vehicle. Do not use tires for different applications unless it is a dual marked tire and never mix and match your construction tires.
Severity of Job Site and Additional Restrictions
Finally, its important to take into the TMPH rating. An OTR tire manufacturer can perform an on-site TMPH study. A construction tire’s TMPH rating is the working capacity of the tire as well as a heat index. The tire must have a TMPH equal to, or greater than the service or job classification.
In addition to the TMPH rating one has to take into account the limitations and restrictions of these tires to make sure that they are utilized properly and safely. An “E” tire can travel 2.5 miles one way at a maximum speed of 30 mph. An “L” tire is designed for 250 feet at 5mph and a “G” tire can travel unlimited working distances at 25 mph.
Construction Tires can be a large investment for any commercial operator. The larger the equipment the higher the tire cost. You want to carefully consider the application before deciding on the type of tire. Your experience with, and the condition of the tires you are replacing is the best indication of what you need to buy. If the tires you are replacing wore out evenly and lasted a long time, you should consider a direct replacement. If the tires are no longer available, consider a similar tread pattern and price point model. If the tires were removed from the equipment for some reason other than tread wear, consider taking this into consideration. Perhaps a heavier Load Rating, higher classification, or different tread pattern is in order.
Where to Buy Construction Tires
To get the most out of your equipment, and the lowest cost per hour, consider using online research tools like what is available on www.tires-easy.com. The information on the website, and the wide range of heavy equipment tires available for purchase and easy shipping makes finding a construction best suited to your work an easy task.
