Tyre damage is a major cost driver in mining, quarry, and underground operations, especially for large loaders working in abrasive, high-impact conditions. This guide provides a quick reference to the most suitable RUD Tyre Protection Chains (TPCs) across nine commonly used machines in Australia, helping you quickly match the right chain solution to your loader, operating environment and tyre size.

Open Cut Mining - Ultra Large Wheel Loaders

Open cut mining has one the most extreme tyre conditions in Australia. Continuous loading cycles, sharp blasted rock and heavy payloads place a huge stress on tyres.

Caterpillar 994 / 995

The Caterpillar 994 is built for high production open cut mining, operating in continuous abrasive conditions. Its successor, the CAT 995, follows a similar design with increased payload capacity and automation for higher productivity.

Komatsu WA1200

The Komatsu WA1200 is one of the largest wheel loaders, designed for 24/7 production loading in highly abrasive environments.

Komatsu WE2350

The Komatsu WE2350 is engineered for extreme mining conditions where tyre durability directly impacts uptime and operational efficiency.

Key Challenges in Open Cut Mining

• Severe sidewall cuts from sharp rock
• High tread wear under extreme load
• Heat build-up during long operating shifts
• Frequent and costly tyre replacements

Recommended RUD TPC Solutions

• Fels Crown X23
• Fels Titan X23
• Fels Granit Plus X23

RUD’s heavy duty tyre chains provide full tread and side protection for ultra-large tyres such as 60/80-57 and 70/70-57, offering improved traction and reducing downtime.

Quarry Operations - Large Wheel Loaders

Quarry environments involve mixed material sizes, abrasive rock and uneven terrain. The key consideration here is to balance traction with wear resistance.

Caterpillar 988

The Caterpillar 988 is widely used in Australian quarries where versatility and reliability are essential.

Volvo L350

The Volvo L350 is a high-capacity wheel loader designed for demanding quarry operations with variable material conditions.

Komatsu WA600

The Komatsu WA600 operates across quarry and construction sites where inconsistent surfaces lead to challenging tyre wear.

Key Challenges in Quarries

• Abrasive and variable rock conditions
• Reduced traction on uneven ground
• Accelerated tread wear
• Machine stability under load

Recommended RUD TPC Solutions

• Fels Gigant Plus X19
• Fels Imperial X19
• Fels Titan X19

These chain systems are designed to balance traction and wear resistance, extending tyre life for sizes such as 35/65 R33 and 875/65 R33 while improving machine stability.

Underground Mining - LHD Loaders

Underground mining introduces unique challenges, including confined spaces, constant abrasion and limited manoeuvrability.

Caterpillar R2900G

The Caterpillar R2900G is a widely used underground loader commonly known as “bogger”, designed for tight, abrasive environments.

Sandvik LH517

The Sandvik LH517 is a compact LHD loader operating in continuous underground production cycles.

Sandvik LH621

The Sandvik LH621 is a high-capacity underground loader used in large scale operations requiring durability and reliability.

Key Challenges in Underground Mining

• Extreme abrasion in confined tunnels
• Limited turning and manoeuvrability
• Continuous loading cycles
• High tyre replacement frequency

Recommended RUD TPC Solutions

• Fels Toro X19
• Fels Titan X19
• Fels Gigant Plus X19

These chains are designed for compact but highly abrasive environments, significantly reducing tyre cutting and improving traction for sizes such as 29.5 x 29 and 35/65 R33.

Why RUD Tyre Protection Chains?

Across all mining and quarry environments, RUD TPCs deliver consistent operational benefits:

• Full or partial tread protection depending on application
• Reduced tyre cutting and abrasive wear
• Improved traction in loose or uneven conditions
• Lower cost per operating hour
• Extended tyre service life in extreme environments

By matching the correct chain type to the machine and the site, RUD tyre protection chains can reduce downtime and improve overall fleet efficiency.

FAQ - Tyre Protection Chains

Which tyre protection chains are best for ultra-large open cut loaders?

For machines such as the CAT 994/995, WA1200 and WE2350, heavy-duty options like Fels Crown X23, Titan X23, and Granit Plus X23 provide maximum impact resistance and full tyre coverage.

Which tyre protection chains suit quarry loaders like the CAT 988 or Volvo L350?

For quarry operations, Fels Gigant Plus X19, Imperial X19, and Titan X19 are recommended due to their balanced traction and wear protection.

Which tyre protection chains are used in underground mining?

For underground loaders such as the R2900G, LH517, and LH621, Fels Toro X19, Titan X19 and Gigant Plus X19 are commonly used for high-abrasion environments.

How do tyre protection chains extend tyre life?

They reduce direct tyre exposure to sharp rock, minimise abrasion and help control heat build-up, increasing service life.

Are tyre protection chains necessary in mining operations?

In most mining and quarry environments. Without tyre protection chains, tyres are exposed to high-impact damage, rapid wear and higher operating costs.

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.