Off-The-Road (OTR) tyres are essential for loaders and haul trucks operating in mining and quarrying environments. However, sharp rocks, abrasive haul roads and harsh site conditions can cause punctures, cuts and rapid tyre wear, leading to costly downtime and reduced productivity. Tyre Protection Chains (TPCs) help protect tyres, improve traction and extend service life in demanding conditions.

Tyres are exposed to sharp-edged rocks or metal debris. Even water is detrimental to a tyre because a dry tyre, when subject to water, is more susceptible to punctures (See the comparison pictures of a dry tyre that is hard versus a wet tyre that can be cut by a knife). All these contribute to unplanned downtime and loss of productivity. In addition, the disposal of end-of-life tyres is an environmental challenge, with Australia discarding over 130,000 tonnes annually (Source: Tyre Stewardship Australia).

Operational Impact of OTR Tyres

OTR E2 tyres possess a Shore A Hardness of approximately 60. They are designed to optimise flexibility, load distribution, and cushioning for heavy-duty applications. However, this softness renders them vulnerable to damage in the harsh conditions prevalent in Australian mines, from the Pilbara's open-cut iron ore mines to Queensland's underground coal seams. Tyre wear is influenced by operator skill, weather conditions, equipment maintenance, and haul road conditions.

The huge size of mining machinery, such as haul trucks capable of transporting hundreds of tonnes or front-end loaders with large buckets, also imposes stress on the tyres. A single OTR tyre can exceed four meters in height and can weigh several tonnes. Whether bias or radial construction, exposure to jagged rocks and abrasive surfaces can lead to rapid degradation.

A single OTR tyre costs tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars. When a tyre is punctured or damaged, in addition to the immediate financial loss, unplanned downtime for repair or replacement impacts profitability. Common damage types include tread cuts, sidewall damage, chunking and bead failures, frequently aggravated by poor haul road conditions, overloading and incorrect inflation.

The Role of Tyre Protection Chains

Tyre Protection Chains (TPCs) are an ideal solution to protect tyres against damage and punctures. RUD manufactures TPCs from high-alloy, hardened steel, forming a close-mesh protective barrier that covers the tread and sidewalls. This robust mesh absorbs impacts from sharp objects and prevents catastrophic failure or premature wear.

RUD supplies 65% of the world's TPCs. By adopting new technology from long-established welding, forging and heat-treating methods, RUD has developed superior tyre protection and traction chains. The high-quality steel undergoes heat treatments and forging processes, enhancing wear resistance and durability. RUD TPC links ensure optimal grip and traction, even in challenging, wet, and slippery conditions. The additional chain weight is outweighed by the benefits of extended tyre life and improved machine uptime.

Benefits of Tyre Protection Chains

Implementing TPCs delivers measurable benefits for any mining or quarrying operation, positively impacting safety and reducing financial costs.

Enhanced Safety: RUD TPCs improve safety by providing superior traction and preventing machines from losing traction on loose or steep surfaces. They are a safety measure against sudden tyre failures (blowouts and rapid deflations), which can be catastrophic. Reduced tyre-related breakdowns also minimise personnel exposure during emergency repairs, aligning with Australian safety regulations on the site, particularly those identified in Recognised Standard 13.

Reduced Operating Costs: Tyres represent a large operating expense. TPCs extend tyre life, translating into fewer tyre purchases, reduced disposal costs and decreased labour for maintenance and replacement. By safeguarding against damage, TPCs enable mines and quarries to achieve the full lifespan of OTR tyres.

Increased Productivity and Machine Availability: TPCs impact productivity by reducing unplanned downtime. Tyre-related downtime for haul trucks or loaders can disrupt production. By ensuring machine availability and optimal performance, TPCs can minimise costly interruptions.

The Last Word

OTR tyres are fundamental to mines and quarries, but their potential for damage requires protection. TPCs are critical to safeguarding the tyres, enhancing safety and maintaining production. They are an investment that can reap benefits due to reduced costs, increased uptime, and a safer working environment.

For more detailed information, click the links below:

• Benefits of RUD Tyre Protection Chains in mining
• How Quality Tyre Protection & Chains Helps Productivity - RUD Australia

Interested in our tyre protection solutions? Call us on 07 3809 1300 or enquire here.

Copyright to RUD: This information is accurate at the time of publication, and RUD Australia takes no responsibility for any errors, inadvertent or otherwise.

A Tyre Protection Chain is ideal for creating a barrier between the tyres and the ground surface. TPCs provide maximum protection to sidewalls and tread areas, virtually eliminating tyre failures from rock cuts and staking. This guarantees maximum production from the loader and peace of mind with unplanned tyre maintenance expenses.

The Problem

Australian hard rock quarries have some of the most challenging environments in the world for rubber tyred machines. Boral Quarries' West Burleigh site has been providing road base and other quality aggregates into the Gold Coast and surrounding areas for many years. Maintaining uninterrupted supply is essential to the area’s economic growth and their rubber tyred CAT988G loader is a major asset in the quarrying process. Unplanned tyre failure can cause havoc to production schedules and require expensive and ‘hard to get’ replacement tyres.

The Solution

RUD Chains have been providing TPCs to West Burleigh for over a decade and have fitted a further four chains to their CAT988G wheel loader. The FELS Gigant Plus X19 close mesh ‘extra heavy duty’ Tyre Protection Chain has been proven in Australia and around the world as the best-performing chain for hard rock quarry applications.

More on the Gigant Plus X19

• Available in sizes from 26.5-25 up to 45/65-45.
• Rhomboid wear links offer maximum tyre protection.
• Large link wear volumes deliver an outstanding service life.

 The Benefit

RUD’s Gigant Plus X19 provides maximum protection to sidewalls and tread areas, virtually eliminating tyre failures from rock cuts and staking. West Burleigh Quarry can now be confident that they will achieve maximum production from the loader and avoid unplanned tyre expenses.

West Burleigh quarry’s traction and fuel usage has improved, and tyre replacement has been reduced by up to 6 times. 

What the customer says

“We see our long-term relationship with RUD Chains more as a partnership than supplier and customer. RUD’s product keeps our tyre costs down - a major expense for any quarry operation. With guaranteed production, our return on investment for the chains is exceptional.”

Article copyright to RUD, this information is accurate at the time of publication and RUD Australia takes no responsibility for any errors, inadvertent or otherwise. Some pictures are for illustration only. For more details on how RUD can help with your crane requirements, please call us on 07 3809 1300 or fill out an enquiry form here.

Sources:

• https://www.rud.com