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.
