Get high service life and maximum safety out of your tyres 
Logging machine tyres are a high cost item for any harvesting machine owner. A set of standard tyres for a four-wheeled skidder can cost upwards of US $ 12 000, with flotation or dual tires costing even more. We are all aware that logging tyres are exposed to some of the most extreme off-road conditions of any tyres, including steep slopes, rocks, heat, cold, abrasive soil, stumps and branches. Rubber tyres can wear prematurely, or fail completely, if not properly looked after. By taking some simple, common-sense precautions provided by Tigercat, operators can protect their investment and get the most service life and maximum safety out of their tyres. The following steps can be taken:
- Check tyre pressure regularly: Preferably on a daily or at least weekly basis. Under inflation can cause excessive heat build-up leading to damage to the sidewall, beads or lining. An over inflated tyre is more vulnerable to impact damage. Always check the tyre pressure against the manufacturers’ service recommendations.
- Maximum pressure with bandtracks: When using bandtracks (on bogie axle machines) tyre pressure should be set to the maximum recommended pressure. This prevents the tyres from squatting too much under heavy loads which can strain and damage the tyre sidewalls against the side members of the band tracks. This also helps prevent the tyres from spinning on the wheels and damaging their sealing beads.
- Operator training and behaviour: Two areas that operators need to be aware of are the use of differential locks and planning for the best driving path. Differential locks provide extra traction by forcing both wheels on a vehicle to spin at the same speed rather than allowing each wheel to spin at different speeds depending on traction. Pre-emptive use of differential locks in difficult terrain (muddy, steep or dusty) helps to minimize the amount of wheel spin. Many operators wait until they notice wheel spin before using the differential locks. This can lead to severe tyre damage as large pieces of rubber can be sheared off if the tyre makes contact with a sharp rock or stump when spinning. Differential locks should be engaged in anticipation of difficult terrain as much as possible to minimize this risk, but should be left off for driving on less challenging terrain.
- Select the best driving path: Operators need to be aware of the geography in the working area and carefully plan the route to be driven. How steep are the slopes? Are there areas or deep mud or hard-to-spot hollows? Going around an obstacle or mound or steep incline may take a little longer, but the savings in fuel and tyre damage may well make it worthwhile. Always keep both eyes and your mind open when driving off road. Source