Two-tonne tyres get the full treatment at steel works10 June 2014

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."

Author
Laura Cork

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