Tyres weighing up to two tonnes each are receiving round-the-clock support to ensure maximum uptime for a steel works in Wales.
Earthmover tyre specialist Vacu-Lug is supplying tyres and tyre maintenance services for several Kress Slab Carriers, part of a 70-strong fleet at the plant.
The Kress vehicles transport steel slabs and are fitted with Yokahama tyres, 37.25-35 on the front and 4000 x57 on the rear, all of which are subject to inspection and reporting by Vacu-Lug.
Monthly inspections determine wear and check for sidewall injuries and general damage. Tread depths are monitored and hours registered, so Vacu-Lug can advise the customer of the precise cost-per-hour to run each tyre throughout its life – on average, 2,500 hours for front tyres and 5,000 on the larger rear tyres.
Tyre replacements are forecast three months in advance, by analysing data from each tyre.
The Kress Carriers have a gvw approaching 250 tonnes and each rear tyre, partly filled with water to compensate for the load stress, weighs around 2 tonnes.
"This is a high-maintenance operation, by any use of the term," says Billy Dillon (pictured), Vacu-Lug's sales manager for earthmover tyres.
"Downtime for any operation must be kept to an absolute minimum and with equipment of this type, considering the cost implications, it is imperative."
