Aggregates Manager Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/803901
AGGREGATES MANAGER / April 2017 27 EQUIPMENT MANAGEMENT T here's no time for downtime in the aggregates industry — especially when downtime can result in lower produc- tion, upset customers, and signifi cant additional cost. The good news is that tires can play an important role in uptime preserva- tion. But have you thought about what's underneath those tires as they carry equipment across the mine, or the forces that off-the-road tires are sometimes re- quired to endure? "If you want to help minimize downtime and optimize the effi ciency of your operation, vigilant site manage- ment should be at the top of your pri- ority list," says Eric Matson, manager, global fi eld engineering, Goodyear. "You can help keep machines up and running by performing thorough site audits on a regular basis. Take a careful look at your site, as well as the roads leading into and out of it." Pay particular attention to the up- ward and/or downward slope of in- bound and outbound roads. "Roads that slope up too sharply can shift the truck's center of gravity to the back of the ve- hicle," Matson says. "This could place unnecessary strain on the truck's rear tires." Roads that veer down too steeply could shift the truck's center of gravity forward, which can place extra pressure on the vehicle's front tires. "As a rule of thumb, road grades should not exceed 8 percent," Matson says. "Push beyond that and you run the risk of putting tires under additional strain, which should be avoided to optimize tire performance and tire life." Also, avoid tight-radius turns on roads leading into or out of the pit. "Curves should be as wide and far-rang- ing as possible to avoid putting ad- ditional pressure on a truck's outside tires," Matson says. As simple as it sounds, the pres- ence of water at a mine can contrib- ute to unexpected downtime. Water acts as a lubricant, which makes tires more susceptible to cuts. Moreover, standing water can hide "tire-eating" rocks and other debris, according to Matson. "Roads should be crowned in the middle to avoid standing water. And drainage ditches by Mike Manges Check tire inflation regularly, preferably daily. At the same time, monitor remaining tread depth and inspect for nicks and cuts. Proper road management and tire maintenance help keep equipment up and running No time for downtime Proper road management and tire maintenance No time for downtime downtime No time for downtime