Industrial Tyres
TITAN Australia is a market leader in the design, development and manufacture of wheels to the ‘off-highway’ industry.
Supplying the world’s most respected original equipment manufacturers like Caterpillar, Volvo, Komatsu and Liebherr meant that its product, service and delivery must consistently meet the high standards set by these companies, not only in performance, but also safety.
Off-highway tyre and rim assemblies were often subjected to loads and inflation pressures at their maximum capabilities.
Construction and mining operations by their very nature could result in variations of the terrain, where higher than normal loading of individual wheel positions occur.
Haulage vehicles loaded unevenly, downhill hauls with high speed turns, running a vehicle with one tyre of a dual assembly under inflated, or even flat, are examples of conditions that produce periodic high stresses in rim assemblies and subsequently reduce fatigue life.
The effects of corrosion and fretting between mating parts of a rim assembly could also produce surface irregularities that may result in crack initiation sites and ultimate fracture of a rim part.
Because inflated tyre/rim assemblies were pressure vessels with high potential energy, it was extremely important to exercise great caution in servicing these assemblies.
When this energy was released instantaneously, via a tyre blowout or fracture of a rim section, the results could be fatal.
Titan Australia chief operating officer Adam Oakenful said inspections and planned maintenance was vital for mine site vehicles.
“Given the serious nature of such an occurrence, the variables in operating conditions and potential for premature fracture of rim parts, it is important to include a rim inspection program in a planned maintenance and inspection program,” Mr Oakenful said.
“It is all part of a procedure to minimise the risks associated with off-highway tyre/rim assemblies and at the same time, produce the least cost of operation through maximum tyre and rim life and of course, increase overall safety.”
The first step in the inspection process, following tyre removal, was to visually inspect the rim base and rim components (flanges, bead seat band and lock ring) for cracks, bending or distortion, pitting and excessive wear.
“The key areas of concern are the ‘high-stress’ areas and areas of weld (both circumferential and transverse butt welds),” Mr Oakenful said.
“If nothing is found visually, the rim and rim components should then be cleaned. This is best accomplished by abrasive blasting per AS1627.4 and then visually re-inspected.”
One of Titan Australia’s major points of difference is its patented Quick Change Rim (QCR) System.
Providing longer rim life, reduced downtime and lower maintenance costs, combined with improved safety for tyre personnel, the QCR system was specifically designed to meet strict specifications and performance requirements under the demanding loads of large mining trucks.
Compared to the standard fitment five-piece rims currently offered, the QCR provided an increased crack test interval, longer rim life, improved safety and fewer rim based removal/ fitment procedures during tyre changes — meaning less opportunities for errors resulting in significant injuries.
The QCR was available as an attachment option for most makes and models of large mining trucks.
Not only would the QCR system reduce downtime by greater than 50 per cent on tyre change-out times when compared to the standard five-piece rims, it also greatly enhanced safety for the personnel working on site by reduced manual handling and fatigue on tyre maintenance personnel.
With the need for tyre service personnel to use impact guns dramatically reduced, improved ergonomics of the tyre change process were a result.
A quicker tyre change process encouraged more frequent and effective tyre rotations and inspections resulting in improved tyre life.
The product also increased crack test intervals compared to standard five-piece rims and reduced potential damage to wheel retaining bolts, studs and hubs.
It could also minimise stud and wheel station damage due to improperly tightened wheel nuts.
Machines could have the rear tyres (both inner and outer positions) vertically mounted in the same manner as the front tyres without the need to return to the service bay to have the wheel nuts retightened (as long as rims have not been removed) with minimal level of rim base inventory required.
More information on how Titan Australia was increasing safety and productivity for tyre and wheel maintenance can be found at www.titanaustralia.com, by emailing sales@titanaustralia.com or calling 1300 791 672.