Sheffield & Co cuts tyre-related downtime with Michelin 06 November 2012

Sheffield & Co is reporting tyre-related breakdowns down from 35 to just two throughout the last year.

The Southwaite-based timber company also says it tyres have also been lasting longer since working with Michelin technical manager Dan Lamb on a bespoke tyre policy, with pressures tailored for on-road and forestry work.

Sheffield & Co boss John Sheffield says the initiative started in March 2011, when the firm began installing Tireboss Central Tyre Inflation (CTI) devices on its fleet of four 44-tonne combinations.

These are linked to the vehicle's air system and allow truck and trailer tyre pressures to be altered by up to 85psi.

Michelin recommended a switch from 385/65 R 22.5 wide singles and 275/70 R 22.5 twinned-wheels on the firm's tri-axle and drawbar trailers, to Michelin's 455/45 R 22.5 X One MaxiTrailer tyre. These provide a larger footprint and can be deflated to lower pressures on forestry roads to improve damage resistance, longevity, and reduce wear and tear.

On Sheffield & Co's single tractor unit and three six-wheel rigids, the operator went from 295/80 R 22.5 tyres to larger 315/80 R 22.5 fitments on steer and drive axles.

In this new size, the vehicles are running a combination of X MultiWay 3D XZE and X Works XZY fitments on the steer axles and XDY3 Remix and XDE2 Remix tyres on the drive axles. The tractor tag axle has also been upgraded to Michelin XF2 385/65 R 22.5 rubber.

"If you have a breakdown in the forest, you've got to have a callout, and we were losing a lot of time before we began working with Michelin on CTI systems and new tyre sizes," states Sheffield.

"The change to Michelin's products has virtually eliminated tyre-related downtime for our fleet, despite the fact we spend so much time off-road."

Sheffield also reveals he has seen "vast" improvements in tyre life.

"We've got some original X One MaxiTrailer tyres on one trailer after more than 100,000 miles, which is far better than the competitor tyres we were previously fitting," he explains.

"I always say a cheap tyre is only cheap when you purchase it. If you have a problem, then it becomes an expensive tyre."

Author
John Challen

Related Companies
Michelin Tyre plc

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