The tires at the front and rear, left and right of the machinery must be reasonably matched. The tires assembled on the same machinery should ensure the same brand, specification, structure, tread pattern, and load. Radial tires and bias-ply tires cannot be mixed; tires with different rim diameters, widths, or different cross-sectional widths must not be mixed. Otherwise, it will cause individual tires to experience increased wear and lead to early damage or blowouts. When replacing with new tires, it is advisable to do so in winter or spring. They must be installed in the specified rotation direction, and it is best to replace all tires simultaneously. If it is really necessary to use a combination of new and old tires, the difference in their wear levels should not exceed 5mm, and the front tires should be replaced first. At the same time, tire rotation should be carried out in combination with the maintenance cycle.
Proper matching of tires is essential to ensure even wear and optimal performance. Mixing different types of tires can lead to uneven stress distribution, as each tire type has its own unique characteristics in terms of rigidity, flexibility, and load-bearing capacity. For example, radial tires have a different construction compared to bias-ply tires, and when used together, they can cause one type to bear more load than the other, resulting in premature wear. Additionally, tires with different sizes or tread patterns can affect the handling and stability of the machinery. Incorrect matching can also lead to issues such as reduced traction and increased fuel consumption.
The tire pressure must be maintained at a normal level. When the pressure is normal, the contact area between the tire crown and the road surface is larger, the load is evenly distributed, and the wear is normal. If the pressure is too low, the stiffness of the tire decreases, and it deforms severely after bearing a load. As a result, the wear is intensified due to the local contact of the tire shoulder with the ground. In severe cases of deformation, it can also cause the tire body to heat up, resulting in early damage such as cord fatigue and tire body delamination. If the pressure is too high, the tire becomes hard and less elastic, and the cords break due to excessive stretching. At the same time, because the contact area becomes smaller, it accelerates the local wear of the tire crown and increases the load per unit area, leading to early damage or blowouts, especially in summer. Therefore, the driver should check the tire pressure before work and inflate it in a timely manner if it is insufficient.
Tire pressure directly affects the performance and lifespan of the tire. Low pressure not only causes excessive wear but also reduces fuel efficiency as the tire has to work harder to roll. On the other hand, high pressure can make the ride uncomfortable and increase the risk of a blowout, especially in hot weather when the air inside the tire expands. Maintaining the correct pressure also helps in maintaining proper handling and braking performance of the lifting machinery.
When the machinery starts, the tire changes from a static state to a rotating one suddenly. If the starting speed is too fast, the tire and the road surface will experience severe friction, which can accelerate the wear of the tread. Therefore, the construction machinery should not start too abruptly. The release of the clutch and acceleration should be properly coordinated to make the machinery start slowly and smoothly without shaking, avoiding the acceleration of tread wear due to the dragging of the tire on the ground.
When the machinery makes an emergency stop, the tire and the road surface will experience a skidding phenomenon, resulting in intense friction between the tread and the road surface and generating high heat. This will not only accelerate the local wear of the tire crown but also easily cause damage such as separation, bulging between the tread, tire body, or the ply layers of the tire body. During driving, the driver should use the air brake more often and the mechanical brake less, and try to avoid emergency braking as much as possible.
Smooth starting and stopping are crucial for minimizing tire wear and ensuring the safety of the operation. Abrupt starts can cause the tire to slip and experience sudden stress, which can lead to premature wear and even damage to the tire structure. Emergency braking, especially at high speeds, can generate extremely high temperatures that can cause the rubber to degrade and the tire to fail.
IV. Moderate Driving Speed
If the machinery drives too fast, the tire will experience slippage on the road surface, resulting in increased wear. At the same time, when driving at high speed, the number of tire deformations increases, the tire temperature rises sharply, the tire body becomes stiffer, the contact area between the tire and the road surface decreases, and the wheel will be suspended when passing over slightly uneven areas. Frequent suspension and jumping movements increase the probability of dragging wear between the tire and the road surface and increase the tread wear. Therefore, the driver should control the vehicle speed according to the road conditions.
When the machinery is driving downhill, it should control the appropriate vehicle speed according to the slope, length, and road surface conditions. At the same time, it should maintain a safe distance of 50 – 100m or more from the vehicles traveling in the same direction in front and drive on the right side. In areas with short sight distances, it should pay attention to the braking situation of the other party and sound the horn at any time. In sections with long and steep slopes and narrow and dangerous road surfaces, it should be ready to stop and give way at any time, and use slight braking or exhaust braking to control the vehicle speed.
When driving uphill, it should try to use inertia as much as possible. Shift gears in a timely manner and avoid restarting after the machinery stops to avoid the rolling loss of the driving wheels and accelerate the wear of the tires.
When the machinery is turning, the driver should operate according to the turning situation, turning radius, traffic density, and vehicle speed. Generally, it should slow down appropriately and avoid high-speed turning to prevent single-side tire overload and dragging due to the action of inertia and centrifugal force, which can accelerate tire wear and even cause rollover accidents.
Controlling the driving speed is essential for maintaining tire health. High speeds not only increase wear but also pose a safety risk. Different driving conditions, such as uphill, downhill, and turning, require specific speed adjustments to ensure the tires can handle the forces and stresses involved.
V. Appropriate Road Selection
When the machinery is driving on a road without lane markings, it should drive in the central area of the road as much as possible under the premise of ensuring safety to prevent uneven tire wear and avoid individual tires from bursting due to heavy load.
When the machinery is driving in the maintenance and construction section of a highway, such as when the road surface is being renovated or there are sharp stones on the road surface due to blasting, it should pass slowly at a low speed and choose a suitable road surface to avoid the tires from being severely punctured or scratched due to excessive impact.
When passing through muddy paths, snow-covered, and frozen sections, it should observe in advance and choose a relatively firm and less slippery place to pass. When the wheels slip, it should stop immediately, try to reverse, and choose another route to move forward. If the wheels also slip when reversing, the mud around and in front of and behind the slipping tires should be removed, or stones, sand, or grass should be laid under and around the wheels. Do not try to force through by suddenly increasing the throttle to avoid the tires from getting deeper and deeper, rotating in place and generating intense heat, which can cause severe scratches on the tread and sidewalls of the tires.
The choice of road surface has a significant impact on tire wear and damage. Rough or uneven roads can cause punctures, cuts, and excessive wear. Muddy and slippery surfaces can lead to loss of traction and tire slippage, which can also damage the tires. Selecting the appropriate path and driving carefully can help protect the tires and ensure the safe operation of the lifting machinery.
VI. Timely Maintenance
When the machinery is running, if it experiences weakness, difficulty in operation, body tilt, abnormal noise, vibration, or a burning smell, it should stop immediately and check the tire condition. During a rest stop on the way, it should check whether the tire pressure and temperature are normal, whether the tire nuts are loose, whether the tires have been scratched, etc., and carefully check whether there are any foreign objects embedded in the tread. Once found, they should be removed in a timely manner.
When the machinery is running, the tire heats up due to continuous flexural deformation, resulting in an increase in tire temperature (it feels hot when touched with the back of the hand), and the tire pressure also rises. When driving in hot seasons, the phenomenon of tire heating and pressure increase is more prominent. In such a situation, it is not advisable to reduce the tire pressure and temperature by deflating or pouring cold water. It is best to stop in a shady place and cool down before driving. If it is necessary to wade through water on the way, it should stop and rest first, and then enter the water after the tire cools down. When performing maintenance after driving, it should also wait until the tire temperature drops before washing the vehicle with water. Otherwise, the tire will be deformed suddenly and crack, resulting in early damage.
When parked in the wild for a long time in extremely cold winter conditions, wooden boards, branches, sand, etc. should be placed under the tires. It is prohibited to apply substances mixed with asphalt and gasoline on the tires.
Timely maintenance is crucial for detecting and preventing potential tire problems. Regular inspections can identify issues such as low pressure, loose nuts, and foreign objects in the tread before they cause serious damage. Proper handling of tire overheating and cooling is also essential to avoid premature failure.
VII. Appropriate Parking Location Selection
When the machinery stops during the journey and after arriving at the station, it should choose a flat, clean, and oil-free ground to park, avoid stones propping up against the tires and the tires coming into contact with oil. Try to avoid parking on slopes. In summer, it should be parked in a shady place to avoid the tires from being exposed to the sun. In cold seasons, it should be parked in a sheltered and sunny place to prevent the tires from freezing to the ground. For construction machinery that has been parked for a long time, the frame should be jacked up, all tire loads should be relieved, and the tires should be inflated to 90% of the standard pressure as required, and a layer of limestone powder should be applied on the tire surface. The tires can also be cleaned, dried, and then brushed with IXF rubber.
Selecting the right parking location helps protect the tires from external damage and environmental factors. Parking on an uneven surface or in contact with sharp objects or oil can cause damage to the tires. Exposure to extreme heat or cold can also affect the tire’s rubber and overall performance.
In conclusion, proper use and maintenance of tires on lifting machinery are of great significance for ensuring the safety and efficiency of the machinery. Each of these seven key elements plays an important role in prolonging the service life of tires, reducing operating costs, and ensuring the smooth operation of lifting operations.
