How to Maintain Mining Truck Tires
United Tractors, Jakarta—Dump trucks transport heavy materials from one place to another, and they are beneficial in the mining industry.
Generally, these materials are mining products like gold, copper, nickel, coal, and more. This truck can also transport other heavy items like soil, gravel, sand, and other leftover materials from excavation.
Dump trucks are designed with a strong frame and an open bed to transport heavy loads. They are hydraulically system-equipped to facilitate cargo dumping. An engine with a strong and reliable powertrain also enhances the truck’s performance.
However, a dump truck’s hydraulics, engine, and chassis are not its only essential parts. Its tires are another component that significantly affects the vehicle’s productivity.
Mining trucks have unique tires compared to other trucks. In most cases, the tread pattern on mining truck tires is designed to give the tires good traction across rough and muddy terrain. Because truck owners face a variety of terrain, they should maintain the quality of their tires.
Because mining trucks must lift heavy loads over long distances at high speeds, their tires must be strong and resistant to abrasion and extreme heat. Therefore, it is also essential to use correct mining truck maintenance techniques and pay attention to the tires to ensure they are in optimal condition.
When it comes to maintaining mining trucks, owners sometimes focus on the engine or hydraulics and ignore the condition of the tires. Intensive tire maintenance is also required to prevent slippage and improve worker safety. So, what is the right way to maintain the tires on large trucks used in mining operations?
- Rotate the Tires
Rotating the tires is the first step in tire maintenance for mining trucks. Tire rotation is one of the keys to durable and long-lasting tires. It is important to rotate these tires because truck tires, especially the front ones, are subject to more wear and tear due to the truck’s front-end load and sudden braking.
Different pressures on the front and rear tires can cause wear. By rotating the tires either straight or crosswise, the pressure in each can be equalized, improving balance.
- Maintain the Tire Pressure
The mining truck maintenance routine usually includes checking tire pressure. If the tire pressure differs after checking, fix it immediately to prevent further damage.
Keeping the tires inflated will also reduce the possibility of the truck losing control. In addition, tire pressure that is too low wastes fuel by increasing its consumption. Consequently, you should check the tire pressure on the truck regularly every time you use the mining truck, especially if the intensity of use is relatively high.
- Maintain the Tire Tread Condition
Tire tread is one factor in determining the force of the tire disc against the road. It is also the component of the tire that helps remove water from the space between the tire and the road, keeping the truck safe to drive even on muddy or wet terrain.
Additionally, a truck with well-maintained tires is more straightforward to manoeuvre and less likely to slip, which is helpful when applying brakes on wet roads.
Frequent braking and long-distance use are two factors that contribute to tire erosion in mining trucks. Truck owners need to be able to maintain the tire’s condition by inspecting the tire treads and changing them if they seem damaged.
- Replace and Fix Tires When Needed
It is clear that maintaining dump truck tires in excellent condition is difficult. However, it is not impossible because another method of preserving dump truck tires is to service the mining truck.
Ask a qualified technician to check the truck tires. Repairs should be made immediately if the tire components are worn or damaged during the inspection. If the tire is seriously damaged and cannot be repaired, replacing it with a new one is the best choice.
Don’t have time to check the condition of your dump truck’s tires? You don’t need to worry. United Tractors offers a UT Connect service that will make it simpler for you to monitor the dump truck’s general condition.
Since dump trucks are one of the primary funding sources for mining operations, their presence in mining areas is common. To ensure the safety of both drivers and workers in the mining area, it is essential that mining truck components, especially the tires, have been maintained in top form.
By taking easy steps like rotating your tires, monitoring your tire pressure, maintaining good tread, and replacing or repairing your tires as needed, you can keep your tires in good condition.
In addition to these techniques, the truck’s daily use must be considered. Ensure that the driver does not frequently brake suddenly or forcefully while travelling at high speed through rugged terrain.
Maintaining Mining Trucks and Heavy Equipment Tires with United Tractors
Who says United Tractors only sells dump trucks and heavy equipment? Actually, United Tractors also provides integrated heavy equipment and dump truck maintenance services. UT after-sales service offers various benefits to business partners who work with United Tractors.
Business partners can take advantage of various after-sales services from United Tractors: machine inspection, preventive maintenance, regular service, general overhaul, lubricant analysis, equipment exchange, and machine inspection. In addition, UT also has a maintenance management system for trucks, buses, and heavy machinery called the Maintenance Contact Program.
With these services, you don’t have to worry about unit component maintenance because UT also offers experienced technicians who can repair or replace your buses, trucks, and heavy equipment. Feel free to contact United Tractors with questions about your heavy equipment, truck, and bus needs, stop by the closest UT branch office, or offer UTC for additional appealing deals.
