PACIFIC GROVE, CA – There are many issues surrounding heat and tire failure, according to TRIB, including heat caused from brakes, improper speed, and inflation. However, those that check air pressure regularly are more likely to experience less tire failure.
One Riverton, Wis., fleet is an example of how to operate a great tire program. This particular fleet runs 100 tractor-trailer pup units that haul soda ash 24 hours per day. They run multi-axle set-ups hauling extremely heavy loads at high speeds and in extreme weather conditions, which include four months of heat. This fleet also uses retreads at every position except the steer. Their secret is simple — a good tire man and a good tire program, which is followed to perfection.
When a radial truck tire has been inflated to its proper air pressure according to the weight it is carrying, the operating temperature should be around 150 degrees. Assuming that 100 psi is the fleet standard, the rule of thumb is that for every loss in air pressure of 2 psi, the tire temperature will increase five degrees. In this fleet, 85 percent of its tires have proper inflation.
The lowest tire in the fleet is 86 psi. That means that the operating temperature of that tire is somewhere around 185 degrees, which is well above what the tire is normally designed to run. Combine this with extremely hot weather and you get down time.
Retreading a casing is a way to give a tire new life in order to reduce operating costs and promote recycling. A retreaded tire is only as good as the retread manufacturing and tire maintenance it receives throughout its entire life, according to TRIB. If tires with low air pressure are left to run they will generate more heat and therefore have a greater chance for down time.
For more information about retreading and tire repairing, including a CD and DVD, contact the Tire Retread & Repair Information Bureau at (888) 473-8732 or e-mail info@retread.org.
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