As equally important as the operator controlling the OTR vehicle is, no OTR vehicle could perform its job without good tires backing them up. Construction, mining, industrial and other OTR (off-the-road) vehicles take on hard jobs. These vehicles are required to carry heavy loads, perform difficult tasks and work on treacherous terrain.
OTR tires are special. They are large, tough, resilient and capable of supporting loads almost unimaginable. Though as tough as OTR tires are, these tires require tough care with inspections, daily checks and alert driving.
Frequent Inspections by an OTR Tire Expert
Managing and controlling your heavy equipment tire maintenance costs takes an organized plan of action. When working with Raben Tire, our sales professionals will show you how a Raben Off-The-Road (OTR) Management System can work for you. In determining the most effective inflation and the care for these types of tires, a Raben OTR expert takes into consideration their application and considers other factors like: What is the weight of the load? What speeds are these tires used and how much distance do they travel? What are the conditions at the work site concerning temperature and terrain.
Check Tire Pressure Daily
Once you and your tire expert arrive at the right operating tire pressure, one of the easiest ways to help make your OTR tires last longer is then to perform daily checks of tire pressure. Before and after every use, ensure that your tires are filled to the proper recommended pressure level. If they aren’t, take action to correct it.
Having over-inflated and under-inflated tires is equally dangerous. Too much pressure and your tires are put under tremendous stress and are susceptible to piercing and blowouts. Too little pressure and your tires force your vehicle to work harder to compensate for the resistance in movement as well as make the tires wear uneven. Properly filled tires will roll much easier and will wear much more evenly.
Take Turns at Low Speeds
Safely operating OTR vehicles at low speeds decrease your chances of an accident and it also helps maintain the condition of your OTR tires.
Taking turns at higher speeds in a large vehicle may cause a fair amount of skidding and sliding as you take the turn. Skidding and sliding isn’t only dangerous, but it also serves to increase the wear on your tires. Erratic behavior behind the wheel will lead to having to change your tires more frequently to compensate for the extra wear.
Avoid Obstacles Whenever Possible
OTR vehicles don’t work in ideal conditions. Sometimes the terrain is rocky, uneven or is exposed to debris like nails, boards and scrap metal.
Driving over obstacles at a bad angle or while operating a vehicle with under or over-inflated tires can greatly increase your chances of a blowout, crack or leak occurring. Whenever possible, and granted it isn’t always easy to do, avoid driving directly over obstacles, rocks or debris.
Raben Tire’s Off The Road (OTR) and Industrial Division performs a sales and service function for a wide variety of industries including surface mining, underground mining, steel mills, industrial, quarry and construction. Raben Tire can provide all tire products for each industry and service all equipment and vehicles. Learn more at: https://www.rabentire.com/commercial/otr/.