Overdrive

December 2017

Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info

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46 | Overdrive | December 2017 T ire troubles are among the top three causes of Compliance, Safety, Accountability viola- tions. Improper tread depth tops the list of tire-related CSA penalties, said Gary Schroeder, director of Cooper's truck and bus tire business. The first line of defense in tire health falls on pre- and post-trip inspections, where problems with inflation and irregular wear can be spotted. In addition to visually noting problems during inspections, you also should be aware of "any change in dynamic performance, such as increased air loss, noise or vibration," said Delvin Webb, a customer support manager for Michelin Americas Truck Tires. On the road, "be vigilant for road conditions, debris and other driving behaviors that may lead to premature tire degradation." Here are the six main caus- es of irregular and premature tire wear. 1 Picking the wrong tire Make sure the tire is designed to handle the demands of its application. Be careful about the applications where your truck gets used. "Many times, long-haul trucks supplement shorter regional urban operations in a pinch, and that's accept- able," said Tom Clauer, a product planning manager for Yokohama. "Over time, it can show advanced tire wear, not to mention equipment wear. Wear, tread life and damage resistance all are vital items that need to be consid- ered." Using a fuel-efficient long- haul drive tire in a regional application could cause tire wear from high torque and cut-and-chip damage. "Tread depth, groove geometry, tread compounds and other engineering factors all play a role in tire wear," said Scott Pall, a sales manager for Continental. 2 Inadequate air pressure A tire with less than 50 per- cent of its maximum pressure is considered flat under CSA, and that's an 8-point out-of- service violation. Underinflation "is the number-one cause of pre- mature tire removal," Webb said. It can happen more steadily than you might expect. Tires typically lose up to 2 percent of their air pressure every month, said Prosser Carnegie, a prod- uct development head for Continental. Maintaining correct infla- tion has a positive impact on tire wear, casing life and over- all performance. "Both overinflation and underinflation can change a tire's footprint, making it susceptible to premature irregular wear," said Evan Perrow, a marketing manager for Goodyear. Inflation levels should be checked daily. "Think of a tire on a truck that has been running in a hot area, such as the southwestern desert," Perrow said. "The tire could run all day in 110-degree heat and then sit overnight in 60-degree weather, which could affect psi levels." WAR ON WEAR Tires are expensive. Know the six top causes of irregular wear to ensure they don't meet a premature end. BY JASON CANNON Freddy Navarro of Rancho Foods checks tread depth.

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