Equipment World Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/597582
EquipmentWorld.com | November 2015 43 maintenance | by Tom Jackson | TJackson@randallreilly.com I n the heavy construction and trucking industry tires have too often been viewed by contractors and fl eet managers as a commodity, an afterthought, the cost of doing business, like diesel fuel. But the pros in these fi elds know that every dime counts and, more importantly, that tires are a major operating expense. You spend more on tires than anything except fuel and wages. What's more, having the right tires for your applications im- proves safety, performance and fuel economy. Nobody puts cheap tires on a Ferrari. Why would you put them on a machine that cost you a quar- ter million dollars and with which you intend to move tens of million dollars in material? Tire manufacturers have continued to come up with new designs and rubber compounds over the last few years that improve performance. Another trend is devel- oping specialty tires that solve spe- cifi c problems in niche applications. Whether you need tires to help your 4WD truck plow through the mud or a giant tire for a mining truck, here's a look at the latest and greatest in today's tires and tire technology. But the pros in these fi elds know more on tires than anything except with new designs and rubber compounds over the last few years that improve performance. Another trend is devel- oping specialty tires that solve spe- cifi c problems in niche applications. Whether you need tires to help your 4WD truck plow through the mud or a giant tire for a mining truck, here's a look at the latest and greatest in today's tires and tire technology. GET A GRIP! New tire technology helps you hug the road or the dirt or whatever you're driving on better than ever