Minimizing the Effects of Mismatched Tires on Construction and Mining Equipment 

It’s common to see dual-wheel configurations on construction and mining equipment—they provide superior stability, are adept at handling heavy loads, and produce exceptional traction even in soft and slick terrain. While duals offer a number of advantages to fleet owners and operators, they also add a few unique challenges, the most notable of which is the need to ensure that tires in the dual position match, no small feat considering the conditions these tires commonly work in.

Tips for Properly Storing OTR Tires

Whether it’s a farmer replacing the tires on their tractor or a construction company stocking up on skid steer tires, customers should consider a host of factors when selecting tires. For many, one of the most important criteria when buying new tires is the total cost of ownership (TCO) of a tire, or the overall cost of a tire to a customer from the time of purchase through resale or replacement. Maximizing the TCO of tires begins before they’re ever mounted to a machine, as proper storage plays a pivotal role in a tire achieving the lowest possible TCO.

OTR Tire Safety Advice From Salespeople, Field Engineers, and Technicians  

OTR salespeople, field service engineers, and technicians face unique challenges when selling and servicing tires—whether it’s massive equipment, complex environments, or less-than-ideal conditions. The best OTR personnel understand the importance of prioritizing safety: it helps them protect themselves from potential injury and their customers from running afoul of regulations. Training is at the foundation of safe service calls and is a proven way to teach about potential site hazards and instill good practices.

Experience also plays a significant role in site safety, which is why we reached out to some of the Yokohama Off-Highway Tires America team in the field to get their best tips for staying safe while working in the field.

How OTR Tire Personnel Can Safely Inspect and Service Tires  

Selling and servicing OTR tires presents some unique risks to personnel in the field. From the massive size and weight of mining and construction equipment to the unfavorable conditions they tend to operate in—often at night and in all types of weather—OTR salespeople, field service engineers, and technicians commonly face a complex environment with numerous potential hazards.

Prioritizing safety and following a few best practices when inspecting tires in the field are simple steps toward preventing mishaps and ensuring everyone returns home safe and sound at the end of the day.

OTR Tire Tips to Ease Expenses 

In today’s economy, rising costs are top of mind for everyone these days, including construction and mining equipment fleet managers. Building material prices are up almost 20% from April 2021 to April 2022, diesel prices continue to hit record highs, and labor costs are growing. The average hourly earnings for production and nonsupervisory employees in construction increased 6.3% from a year ago, the highest gain in 40 years.  

Although there is no silver bullet for rising expenses, application-specific OTR tires offer some simple solutions to those looking to control costs.