Category Archives for "Blog"

0 7 tips to improve performance of agricultural tyres

How to keep your agricultural tyres in peak condition

Your agricultural tyres are some of your most valuable assets. And some of the most expensive. If you neglect your tyre tractor check, you could compromise safety, performance, and increase your costs. A few basic precautions and checks are all you need to prolong tyre life. You could save thousands of dollars over the course of a tractor’s lifetime.

Here are our seven top tips for agricultural tyre maintenance:

1.    Check your tyre pressures

It should be on your weekly maintenance programme. Use a low-pressure gauge to make sure your agricultural tyres are properly inflated. Ensure the gauge is properly calibrated by getting it checked at least once a year.

Always check inflation pressures when the tyre is cold – when the tyre is hot, the air inside expands, and the pressure rises. When the tyre cools down, it will be underinflated.

If your tyres are filled with water or antifreeze, use a special gauge and ensure the valve is at the bottom of the tyre when testing.

The danger of underinflation is that damage will be caused to the cord, and the carcass can fail. Over-inflation should only be used when hillside ploughing, or if you plan to use the tractor on hard surfaces for long periods. To determine the correct tyre pressure, weigh the rear axle with the tractor tool in a raised position and then refer to the load/inflation tables supplied.

2.    Tyre types

In the same way that you wouldn’t fit and mix radial and bias tyres on a car, you shouldn’t do so on your agricultural vehicles, either.

3.    Watch for valve damage

Valve damage is a sign that the tyre is slipping on the rim. It is caused by:

• Underinflated tyres
• Too much lubricant on the bead when the tyre was mounted
• The bead is improperly seated on the rim

If a valve is damaged, get the tyre and wheel checked by a tyre specialist immediately.

4.    Watch for tyre spinning

If you notice that a tyre is spinning, it is probably because the wheel weights are too light. Spinning on rough surfaces will wear the tread bars, and eventually, the tyre will become useless. The best action to prevent this is to add wheel weights, though as a temporary measure you might also:

• Adjust inflation pressure down (but not below the recommended pressure)
• Decrease the draft load

5.    Check your rims

If your tyre is fitted to a rim that is too narrow, it will suffer the same problems as if it were over-inflated. The wear will be concentrated on the centre of the tyre tread. Wear will be increased, and traction will be reduced. The tyre is also likely to suffer sidewall damage, where the wheel rim subjects extra pressure on the tyre. It’s not unusual for tyres that have been fitted on narrower rims to suffer sidewall separation.

Always ensure that your tyres and rims match.

6.    Clean oil and grease from your agricultural tyres

Oil, grease and fuel damages tyre rubber. So, too, does agricultural chemicals. If you use your tyres where they come into contact with any such liquids, make sure they are cleaned before storing your vehicle.

7.    Check your tyres for damage daily

At the end of every day, do a tyre check. Look for cuts, scrape and breaks. Look for exposed cords. If a tyre is damaged, it should be removed, tested and repaired by a qualified tractor tyre specialist.

For all your agricultural tyre needs in West Brisbane, we’re here to help. We’ve got extensive experience in the supply, fitting, and maintenance of agricultural tyres on all types of vehicle. Contact us (by Skype, telephone, or on our contact form) and make sure your agriculture tyres are in top condition for all seasons.

Keeping your family and fleet safely on the road,

Kevin Wood

0 How to clean tyres in Brisbane and make them last longer

This simple tyre cleaning routine could save dollars and lives

If I could throw my tyres in Brisbane in the wash with my jocks, I would. Unfortunately, this isn’t possible. But, having been in the tyres game in Brisbane for a good few years – more than I care to remember – I’ve noticed how tyres are neglected when it comes to car cleaning. There are many benefits from buying good tyres and then following this investment with good maintenance.

Part of your maintenance routine should be to keep them clean. When you do so, you’ll remove debris, oil, and other contaminants that will reduce tyre life.

After all the bad weather we’ve had in Queensland recently now is the perfect time to start your tyre cleaning routine. Clean your tyres once every couple of months, using the following five-step method. Not only will your tyres look better on Brisbane’s roads, but they’ll also last longer and give you better tyre performance. And this will save you money on your driving.

Get equipped to clean your tyres in Brisbane to get them ready Queensland roads

You’ll need a few basic items to clean your tyres in Brisbane effectively:

• A large (clean) bucket
• A high-pressure water hose
• Tyre cleaning solution
• Tyre cleaning brushes (soft bristles for the wheels, contoured for the rubber)
• Micro fibre towels
• Clean, dry cloth
• Wax Protector
• Tyre dressing solution and cloth

If you’re not sure where to get any of these items, contact me or one of my team, and we’ll help you out.

Okay, now that you’ve got everything together, here’s what to do:

1.    Clean your tyres before cleaning your car

It might sound counterintuitive, but the last thing you want is to splash a clean car and need to clean it again. The tyres are likely to be the dirtiest part of your car, so clean them first.

Get all your tyre cleaning equipment together, and set up in a well-ventilated area. Make sure you’ve read the instructions on the tyre cleaning solutions before you begin.

2.    Pressure wash your tyres

Using the high-powered hose, jet wash your tyres to remove dirt and brake dust. Rinse around the rim, through the tread, and across the sidewall of each wheel and tyre. Apply the cleaning solution, and leave it a few minutes to loosen hard-to-remove debris.

3.    Brush down, rinse, repeat

Clean the tyre with the contoured brush, and the rim with the soft-bristled brush. Scrub and rinse is the method to use, and repeat as often as necessary. Once you’ve removed as much of the dirt as possible, dry the tyre and rim with the micro fibre cloth.

The micro fibre cloth will remove most of the water, but it’s important to let the tyre dry completely before moving on to the next step.

4.    Wax your tyres

Apply the wax to your tyres, and polish in the same way that you would polish your car’s bodywork. This wax helps to protect your tyre and prevent debris and mud from sticking. Don’t leave any excess wax on the tyres.

5.    Dress your tyres

The last step is to dress your tyres with tyre dressing. If you’ve ever had your car valeted and wonder how they get the tyres looking like brand new, this is the trick they use.

Tyre Dressing is a water-based solution which usually comes in a spray bottle. Apply a coat, and then let it dry. Repeat once or twice more.

That’s all there is to it! Don’t forget, if you spot any bald patches, uneven wear, or splits or scrapes on your tyres, you should have them checked. The smallest scrape could be masking a more dangerous problem.

We’re here to help. We’ve got extensive experience in the supply, fitting and maintenance of tyres for all types of vehicles in Brisbane and Queensland. Contact us today (by Skype, telephone, or on our contact form) and book your professional tyre check today.

Keeping your family and fleet safely on the road,

Kevin Wood

0 Why your 4WD spare might be useless in Brisbane’s winter

It’s time to check your tyres in Brisbane before winter sets in

Changing weather conditions in alters the performance of tyres in Brisbane. For most motorists, their tyres are the last thing that they consider as a potential hazard. Even after a tyre has rolled off the production line, it’s physical properties are still changing. After a while, the inevitable ageing process kicks in.

Your safety – and that of your passengers and other road users – depends on the performance of your tyres.

In this article, you’ll learn about the effect of hot and cold weather on your tyres in Brisbane, and why 4WD spares are often the most dangerous tyres on the roads.

Hot weather – complacency and fat tyres in Brisbane

When spring turns to summer, hot, sun-filled days give drivers a false sense of security. As grip improves, speed increases – especially on corners and bends. What you can’t see is the way your tyres are altering their shape. As the days get hotter, the air inside your tyres expands. Your tyres get fatter.

The older the tyre, the more it will have aged. As the number of vehicles on Queensland’s roads grows, there are a lot older tyres spinning on the tarmac. Older rubber becomes more brittle and more likely to fail. Those pieces of tyre rubber you see in the roads, especially in summer, are the result of faster speeds, hotter roads, and expanding the air in the tyre.

Cold weather – when your tyres come under more pressure

As the temperature drops when we move into winter, the air in your tyres contracts and the tyre’s air pressure falls. Goodyear has calculated that the fall in tyre pressure corresponds to the how many degrees the temperature has fallen. A 10-degree temperature change results in a decrease of about 2lbs in tyre pressure.

As the tyre deflates naturally in winter, you’ll suffer more wear on the shoulder of the tyre. Your tyre heats up quicker on the road, softening the rubber. It can increase fuel consumption.

You’ll also be driving on roads that have suffered from overuse in summer. Potholes, cracks and ridges will damage tyres further, especially if they are underinflated.

If your tyres have aged, irrespective of the number of kilometres you’ve driven on them, you could be putting yourself at risk on the roads in Brisbane this winter. And this brings me to why your 4WD spare tyre could be useless.

The danger of ageing tyres

Rubber ages, especially when it is exposed to changing weather and extreme sunshine. UV rays harden tyre rubber. If you look closely at older tyres, you’ll notice small cracks appearing. It isn’t the result of kerbing, but of ageing and exposure to sunlight.

Rubber ages naturally over a long time. Direct sunlight speeds up this ageing process.

Hardening rubber is less pliable, and we see a lot of tyres that are coming away from wheel rims.

The worst of these problems is often found on spare tyres – especially those that have been exposed to direct sunlight, like the spare tyre on the rear of a 4WD. Other vehicles that are most prone to substandard tyres include caravans and trailers. They are stored in sunlight, and within a few years, the tyres could be in a dangerously ageing condition.

If you need to use the spare tyre and you haven’t checked it for a while, you could be about to drive a deathtrap.

Check your spare tyres today

If you’re like nine out of ten drivers, you won’t have checked your tyres for months. Probably at the beginning of summer. You could be driving on seriously underinflated tyres in the winter.

You should check tyre pressures at least once a month. You’ll find the maximum recommended tyre pressure on the tyre placard inside the door jamb or in the glove box.

Ageing is a little more difficult to evaluate. The Tyre and Rim Association of Australia recommends that tyres should be checked by an expert if they are five years old. It’s also worth checking with the manufacturer of your tyre – many recommend that tyres should be replaced at a certain age, regardless of wear.

We’re here to help. We’ve got extensive experience in the supply, fitting and maintenance of tyres for all types of vehicles in Brisbane and Queensland. Contact us today (by Skype, telephone, or on our contact form) and book your professional tyre check today. Don’t leave it too late, even if you’ve never used your spare.

Cheers,

Kevin Wood

0 Car recalls and smarter tyres in Brisbane

Important news for drivers in Queensland

It’s been a while since I wrote a news blog, but recent industry news is both important and exciting. Important for your safety, and exciting for both safety and the driving experience. Let’s start with the safety news first, which affects both vehicle and tyres in Brisbane.

Car recalls you mustn’t ignore

I don’t know how car manufacturers can release mass-produced cars that are unsafe. They spend so much on research, development and testing. Here I am, warning about not one manufacturer recalling vehicles, but two.

BMW recalls i3 extended electric models in Australia

If you own a BMW i3 with a fuel tank, you could be driving Brisbane’s streets in a potential fire box. The i3s that were sold between July 2014 and November last year are the ones that are at risk.

The problem is a weak fuel ventilation line. It could rub against the car and rupture. If this happens, fuel could leak. And leaking fuel equals a high possibility of fire. If you own one of these models or know someone who does, call the BMW dealer now. Not tomorrow morning, and not next week.

Volkswagen recalls Golf small cars because of wrong tyre specs

As if Volkswagen haven’t had enough bad publicity in recent years, they just recalled all the Golf small cars sold in Australia between 2016 and 2017. The reason is that they’ve been fitted with the wrong tyre placard.

The tyre placard tells you about the tyre ratings for your car. It details speed, inflation, and load maximums. This tyre guide tells you about the best tyre pressures for your car, too. Get these wrong, and you’ll be using more fuel than you should. Your drive will be less comfortable. But, most importantly, you could be risking tyre damage and a blowout. (Brush up on how to bring your car to a safe standstill and how to change a tyre after a blowout.)

Again, if you own a Golf small car which was sold from the beginning of 2016, get hold of the Volkswagen dealer now. One phone call could save your life.

Okay, let’s move on to something a little more uplifting.

The future for tyres in Brisbane is smart

A few weeks ago, I wrote about how tyre development is set to rival Star Wars science fiction. It’s getting closer.

Goodyear has presented the world with its vision of tyres of the future. Its concept tyre, the Eagle-360, was unveiled at the Geneva International Motor Show. And what a tyre it is!

It looks more like the Death Star from Star Wars than a tyre. And get this load of features:

• Magnetic levitation
• A sponge-like groove design that softens on wet road to resist aquaplaning
• Centrifugal force ejects surface water
• A layer of foam increases contact area with the road
• Active technology allows the tyre to move as needed and automatically avoid hazards
• Your car will face front, while steering left and right!
• Automatic speed adjustment

This tyre is completely connected to your car and can sense, decide, transform and interact. It will connect with other vehicles, too, alerting them off road and weather conditions, and other hazards. With this information, the tyre will adapt ahead of time as it proactively prepares for the road ahead.

And what about tyre wear? Well, the tyre takes care of that, too. Sensors detect how much wear is being cased and alters tyre position to extend mileage and minimise fuel consumption.

This thing could put me out of business! Mind you, it’s a few years away yet…

Commercial vehicle tyres are already smart

Michelin truck tyres are adding radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology to its retreads. With this technology, fleets can manage their tyres better, increasing life, reducing fuel consumption, and improving safety. It’s been rolled out to 260 fleets and 36,000 commercial vehicles across the United States.

Maybe those futuristic spheres aren’t so far away, after all.

We’re here to help. We’ve got extensive experience in the supply, fitting and maintenance of tyres for all types of vehicles Brisbane and Queensland. Contact us today (by Skype, telephone, or on our contact form) and discover the Darra advantage that benefits so many other fleet managers.

Keeping your family and fleet safely on the road,

Kevin Wood

0 How to make commercial vehicle tyres last longer

Tyre management strategies that will inflate your bottom line

Commercial vehicle tyres are one of the highest expenses your fleet incurs. A good tyre maintenance program will help your drivers avoid blow-outs on their trucks. A good tyre management program will help your fleet tyres last longer. And when tyres last longer, your costs fall, and your profits increase.

In this article, we discuss the causes of wear and tear on commercial vehicle tyres that should inform your fleet tyre maintenance and management program.

Who is responsible for the tyre management program?

The choice of tyres and how they are used will depend on the specifics of your fleet’s operations. It requires a good knowledge of driver routes, loads, and driving styles. Motorway work is different to inner city driving. On-road is different to off-road. If a truck is turned around between one driver and the next without a break, tyre wear is different again.

The person best placed to examine how tyres in the fleet are affected is the fleet manager. By testing over a long period, they will be able to design a suitable tyre management and maintenance program that extends tyre life. The data collected will include:

• Total mileage
• Wear and tear
• Tyre costs
• Cost per mile
• Warranties

What causes wear and tear on commercial vehicle tyres?

Shortened tyre life is caused by a range of factors that lead to irregular tyre wear. Taking action to shrink irregular wear and tear will help to reduce fleet fuel costs and extend tyre life. Here are the leading causes of irregular wear and tear on truck tyres:

·      Overloading

Your tyres bear all the weight of the truck and its load. A common mistake is using tyres that haven’t been manufactured for the load transported.

To ensure that you buy the correct tyres for the loads being transported, divide the maximum weight of the vehicle and its load by its number of tyres. If the vehicle and load are, say, six tonnes and it is supported by four wheels, you’ll need to buy tyres with a load rating of 1.5 tonnes.

·      Improper inflation

Improper inflation reduces tyre life and decreases safety. Overinflated tyres wear in the centre. Underinflated tyres wear on the shoulders and can damage sidewalls, with structural damage following.

Daily air pressure checks will ensure tyres are inflated correctly and get your drivers to check for damage to the tyres before, during, and after every trip.

·      Poor tyre rotation

Front tyres tend to wear most on their shoulders. Rear tyres typically wear first at the centre. A good tyre rotation policy can save your life and protect your tyres.

Rotating tyres is a time-consuming operation, so work out the optimum times to rotate without increasing costs. Most fleets coincide tyre rotation with regular service programs.

·      Improper alignment and balance

Misaligned and poorly balanced wheels are a major source of tyre wear. Balance weights can become dislodged or slip, causing the truck to run out of balance. Check alignment and balance at regular intervals.

·      Poor storage practices

How and where your trucks are parked will also impact tyre life. Oil, grease, fuel, water and other solutions degrade tyre rubber. If parked in one spot for too long, tyres can develop flat spots.

Park your trucks on a cool, dry, contamination-free surface.

·      Poor driving

The poor driving technique is another major factor in commercial tyre longevity. Cornering sharply, driving too fast over poorly surfaced roads, and braking heavily all contribute to tyre wear. Signs that a driver needs re-educating as to driving style include regular damage to sidewalls, denting, scratching, and bald patches.

How to increase the life of commercial vehicle tyres

As well as taking precautions against the specific causes of wear and tear we’ve mentioned above, you should also ensure that your truck tyres are cleaned regularly. Each time the vehicle is washed, clean the tyres thoroughly to remove debris, chemicals, mud and fuel.

Ensure that your tyre maintenance and management program doesn’t neglect the inside tyres.

You can also extend tyre life with an effective retread program. Providing the structure of the tyre is sound, there is no limit on how many retreads can be made. However, you should evaluate the cost-effectiveness of retreads as part of your tyre management program.

Keep an eye on costs

An integral part of a fleet tyre management program is cost maintenance. Your records should indicate the cost per mile and include a scrap tyre analysis. Keeping these records will help to decide on which tyres are best for which application, as well as highlighting problem routes and drivers that need to improve their technique.

We’re here to help. We’ve got extensive experience in the supply, fitting and maintenance of commercial vehicle tyres for a variety of fleets in Brisbane and Queensland. Contact us today on +61 07 3333 5510 or (by Skype or on our contact form) and discover the Darra advantage that benefits so many other fleet managers.

Keeping your family and fleet safely on the road,

Kevin Wood

0 Tyres in Brisbane: what’s the best tyre choice for safety and value?

Should you spend more for premium brand tyres in Brisbane?

Drivers in Brisbane have a huge range of tyres to choose from. For most, the final deciding factor will be price. But is there a big difference between premium, mid-range, and budget tyres? Why do premium brands cost so much more than budget tyres? And how should you decide which are the right tyres for driving your vehicle in Brisbane?

Premium brand tyres in Brisbane

Premium brand tyres are the names you’ve heard of: Goodyear, Michelin, Bridgestone, Continental and so on. They may look the same as other tyres – round and black – but they can be expensive. So why do premium brand tyres cost so much more than their budget tyre equivalents?

When you buy premium tyres, you’re also paying for the vast amount of research these companies undertake. They spend hundreds of millions of dollars on engineering tyres and developing new rubber compounds. They conduct safety and endurance testing, and evolve their tyres to perform in all types of road and weather conditions – that’s a huge plus on Brisbane’s roads.

When tested, premium brands consistently perform better than their cheaper rivals. You benefit from the better grip, increased driveability, and shorter braking distances. Premium brand tyres tend to outlive budget and mid-range competitors. They give better fuel consumption with lower fuel bills. The tyres are longer-lasting, so you don’t need to replace them as often.

If you drive a lot of miles, and at faster speeds on motorways, then when you replace your tyres an investment in premium brand tyres is likely to pay you back in the long run. The old saying tends to be true… “Buy cheap, pay twice…”

Mid-range tyres

Between the cheapest and most expensive tyres, you’ll find mid-range tyres, which are often manufactured by premium brand names. Often, these tyres are produced under a different name. They’re not manufactured to quite the same standard as premium brand tyres – the rubber used may not be the latest compound, for example.

These tyres usually offer good value to drivers who use their car daily and drive conservatively. You’ll get better fuel consumption and less wear than from a budget tyre, and benefit from a lot of the latest technological advances made by premium brands.

Budget tyres in Brisbane

Budget tyres could be a great purchase. And they might not be. The rule of thumb when you’re buying tyres is the same as when purchasing anything else – you tend to get what you pay for. However, this doesn’t mean that budget tyres are a ‘no-no’.  Some budget tyres offer great value, and it depends on the driving you’ll be doing and what your vehicle is used for.

For example, if you drive at slower speeds in town, travel shorter distances, or want tyres for a second car that is only used from time to time, budget tyres could be the ideal solution. And, if cost is an issue, buying a new budget tyre is a better choice than a brand name that is worn or damaged.

How do you choose the best tyres for driving in Brisbane?

When you need new tyres, there are several factors to take into consideration. These include:

• Type of vehicle
• Driving style
• Road conditions and the type of road you’ll be driving on most
• Budget

Bring your vehicle into our Brisbane tyre shop. Before recommending which tyres will be the best value for you (in the short and long term), we’ll ensure that the tyres are best for your driving style, use, and pocket. Our clients return time after time because we make sure they get the best value tyre that keeps them and their passengers safe on the roads in Queensland.

If you want to talk tyres, contact us on +61 07 3333 5510 (by Skype, telephone, or on our contact form) to get expert advice at our Brisbane tyre shop.

Keeping your family and fleet safely on the road,

Kevin Wood

0 How to avoid a disaster on a Queensland road trip this autumn

Safety tips for your car, passengers and tyres in Brisbane

Tyres in Brisbane’s changing weather conditions can cause problems if they’re not well maintained. Now that autumn is here, one of Queenslanders’ favourite pastimes is an Easter road trip. Perhaps down to the Gold Coast for some rest and relaxation, or into the outback for a family adventure.

Before you head off, prepare your tyres, car, and yourself. Keep your passengers safe and your car on the road with these tips:

Check your vehicle

Vehicle maintenance should be a routine. But before a trip, give your vehicle an extra vigorous once-over:

• Start with the tyres. Brisbane’s roads can be fickle in the autumn. Make sure your tyres have the correct tread depth. Check the tyre pressure, and ensure every tyre is correctly inflated.
• Next, check your fluids – brake and clutch, oil, transmission, coolant, and water.
• Check your lights – front and rear. Replace bulbs where needed. Pack spare bulbs for the trip.
• Check your windscreen wipers and washer fluid. Pack a spare bottle of fluid.
• Get your head under the bonnet and check your fan belt, coolant hoses, and battery.

Check your emergency supplies

Whether you’re driving down the coast or into the bush, be prepared for any emergency. Here are the essentials you can’t afford to be without:

• A first aid kit
• Water – if you break down in the outback, you’ll need around 4 litres of water per person, per day.
• Food – pack some high-energy emergency rations
• Maps and a compass – Sat Navs have a habit of failing when you most need them
• Blankets – it gets cold at night

Don’t forget other essentials for your vehicle: a toolkit; fire extinguisher; two ropes; two spare wheels.

Oh, and, just in case, take a shovel and toilet paper.

Check your vehicle recovery strap

If you get bogged down in the bush, you’ll rely on your recovery strap to get you out of trouble and back on your journey. Since 2003, there have been at least two deaths in Queensland because of unsafe use of motor vehicle recovery straps (Australian Competition & Consumer Commission).

Check the Product Safety Australia website for details about the type of straps you need for your vehicle, and how to use them safely. Or come into our West Brisbane tyre shop, have your tyres thoroughly checked and we’ll help you with your snatch straps.

What if you run into trouble on the road?

If you’ve checked your tyres, hopefully, you won’t have a tyre blow-out. But if you do, here’s what to do:

• Don’t panic
• Hold the steering wheel in two hands and compensate for the pull
• Take your foot off the accelerator
• Don’t brake immediately
• When the vehicle is under control, brake gently
• Pull over in a safe place and stop

Drive safe in floods

Although the worst of the rain should be over, there’s always a chance of flooding. It may take a few days for floodwater to rise. A flash flood could take minutes. Here’s what you should do to stay safe in flooding:

• Never drive on roads which are closed.
• If the floodwater has started to recede, stay off the road until it has been reopened. It could be damaged, and until it’s dry that damage won’t be known fully.
• Even when a road is reopened, drive slowly and carefully – a road that is drying out can be slippery and damage developing slowly.
• Floods cause landslides, so stay wary when driving after flooding. A landslide could happen hours or days after a flood.

Road trip or not, don’t neglect your tyres

Brisbane’s roads can be unpredictable in the autumn. Your tyres may have suffered during the heat of the summer. The rubber could have been impaired. Tread may be worn. As summer drifts into autumn, it’s time to get your tyres checked and rotate them. Rotating your tyres can increase their lifespan.

Bring your vehicle in our West Brisbane tyre shop. We’ll check the tread, and make sure there is no dangerous damage to the sidewalls. We can check the wheel alignment and balance, too. This will make sure that your tyres wear evenly and give you a safer and more comfortable driving experience.

If you want tyre advice, contact us (by Skype, telephone, or on our contact form) to get expert advice at our Brisbane tyre shop.

Keeping your family and fleet safely on the road,

Kevin Wood

0 Agriculture Tyres – How to avoid tyres harming your Queensland harvest

Agriculture Tyres – Tips to keep agricultural tyres in top condition

Agricultural tyres and equipment have a nasty habit of breaking down at the most critical time. And what time could be more significant than during the harvest season in Queensland? You’ve got to be on top of your game at this period of the year. You’ve got the weather to contend with. And when a crop is ready to be harvested, time isn’t going to be on your side.

One of the most critical (and overlooked) pieces of farm equipment are your agricultural tyres. If one blows mid-harvest, it could ruin what promised to be a great crop. Here are my best tips to keep your tyres in peak condition when it matters the most.

1.    Check your agricultural tyres for damage

You may not have given your combine the once-over for some time. Last year’s harvest could have left bulges, cuts and tears on your agricultural tyres that you’ve forgotten about. Not checking your tyres before you put them to work in the field could prove to be an expensive error.

Check the tread and sidewalls for any damage before you start the engine.

2.    Remove agricultural tyre flat spots

When your combine has been inactive for a while, all its weight will have been in one area of the tyres. This can cause flat spots on each of your tyres.

Top agricultural tyre tip: Inflate your tyres to a little above the operating inflation, and move the combine into the sunlight. It will warm your tyres and help return them to their proper shape.

3.    Check tyre pressures

Think about where you combine will be used. Does your land slope? Is there a lot of tarmacs to be travelled?

Consider the terrain and intensity of work, and inflate your tyres to the correct operating pressures.

4.    Check the wheels

Damage to wheels could throw out their alignment and balancing. It could cause you a heap of trouble, with uneven tyre wear leading to a rapid deterioration of the tread.

5.    Don’t neglect your rear tyres

It’s common for farmers to neglect their rear tyres. You should make the same checks on these that you do your front tyres. Make sure that you inflate them to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

6.    Inspect your tyres every day

The sooner you spot tyre damage and make a repair; the more effective the repair will be. It will be cheaper, too.

Make an agricultural tyre inspections part of your daily routine. Check for cuts and bulges. Make sure you check all around the tyre, and inner and outer sidewalls. Check and correct inflation pressures before you go into the field.

7.    Choose the right agricultural tyres

If you need new agricultural tyres, make sure they’re right for the vehicle and the job it’s doing. There is a huge choice of agricultural tyres today. They’re tested for performance, load capacities, and fuel consumption qualities. Michelin’s Ultraflex Technology allows agricultural tyres to be run at lower inflation pressures. It’s been proven to help performance and operator safety and comfort.

Don’t neglect your other vehicles’ agricultural tyres, either. If your trailer is carrying heavy loads, its tyres are just as important as those on your combines and tractors.

The tips above will help you have a great harvest. If you want us to come and check or replace your agricultural tyres or need any tyre advice, contact us (by Skype, telephone, or on our contact form) and get it straight from the experts at our West Brisbane tyre shop. Our technicians are here to help you make the best choice. With extensive experience in the supply and fitting of agricultural tyres, we guarantee you won’t be disappointed.

Keeping your family and fleet safely on the road,

Kevin Wood

0 Forklift Tyres – When is it time to replace your forklift tyres?

Forklift Tyres – The signs that it’s time to change your tyres

Your business relies on forklifts and the forklift tyres. Without them, merchandise doesn’t get shifted from factory to warehouse. It doesn’t get loaded onto your trucks, your customers don’t receive their shipments and you might not get paid. The less downtime your forklifts suffer, the more efficient your operation is. The more money you make.

When monitoring these beasts of burden, it’s easy to concentrate on the engine and hydraulics and forget the forklift tyres. They are perhaps the hardest working of all forklift components. Toyota trucks estimated that the average forklift tyre carries over 9,500 lbs. There are no suspension systems to help spread that weight. Every single ounce of your load relies on a single ring of black rubber.

A while ago I wrote about how to choose and maintain forklift tyres to cut costs. Here, I’ll discuss why it’s so important to know when to replace your forklift tyres. I’ll also describe the warning signs that your forklift tyres are wearing.

The job that forklift tyres do

Forklift tyres carry heavy loads. Even the steer tyres carry more than 1,000 lbs. Tyres that are in good condition:

• Help to soften the driver’s ride
• Contributes to keep the forklift stable
• Reduce driver fatigue
• Decrease fuel consumption
• Reduce forklift maintenance costs

If your forklift tyres are in bad condition, your workplace efficiency could suffer. Increased driver fatigue could lead to safety issues. And then, of course, there are the cost issues: increased fuel bills, and the effect of downtime.

How do you know your forklift tyres need replacing?

There are three main types of forklift tyre. The signs that they are wearing are different for each. Cushion (or press-on) tyres are pretty much shot when a third of their rubber is worn. Pneumatic tyres need to be examined for tread wear. Resilient (or solid pneumatic) tyres can be worn down to the wear mark on the sidewall.

Forklift cushion tyre danger signs

Cushion tyres wear slowly but can be damaged easily. Watch for the following danger signs that all indicate a tyre change is needed:

• The top of the tyre has worn down to the wear line.
• If bits of rubber have fallen off, or there are chunks taken out of the tyre, it needs replacing.
• Flat spots, where one part of the tyre is balder. It is usually caused by tyre spinning, sharp braking, or misalignment of wheels.
• Tearing by sharp objects. It causes imbalance and can tip the forklift.

Forklift pneumatic tyre danger signs

Pneumatic tyres are most commonly used outdoors. Watch for these danger signs:

• Under or over inflation will affect the stability of the forklift and increase wear. It also affects traction, reducing braking power.
• Cuts in the tyre can cause sudden loss of air. It could cause the forklift to tip. If the cord is visible, or you notice frayed cord piles, your tyre needs replacing.
• Bald patches should be checked for at all points on the inside and outer edges of the tyre, as well as its contact surface.
• There’s a two-inch rule that says after two inches of tyre height is gone, almost 20% more stress is put on the vehicle. However, it’s probably better to rely on tread depth.

Forklift resilient tyre danger signs

If there is no damage to resilient tyres they can be used until wear takes the rubber down to the wear lines on the sidewall. However, you need to observe all the warning signs for both cushion and pneumatic forklift tyres, because resilient tyres are a cross between the two.

If your forklift tyres wear too much, your forklift performance will suffer. You’ll use more fuel, and safety could be compromised. The extra pressure on other moving parts (including the engine) could cause unnecessary and expensive damage. Your tyre maintenance programme should be a core part of your safety check routine as well as your vehicle maintenance regime.

The forklift tyre tips above will help your productivity and safety, and you can always contact us (by Skype, telephone, or on our contact form) to get expert advice at our West Brisbane forklift tyre shop. Hey, we’ll even come and replace them for you.

Keeping your family and fleet safely on the road,

Kevin Wood

0 Truck tyres – How to buy the best retreads

Truck tyres – Can retreads be as good as new truck tyres?

When it comes to truck parts, its tyres are probably the most important. They’re the sole connection between you and the ground, and they play a massive part in braking and handling. Only with the right truck tyres will you be able to haul your load safe and secure.

In this article, I’ll explain the benefits of using retread truck tyres, how they are produced, and give you a few tips to make sure that when you buy retreads for your truck, they won’t blow out half a kilometre down the road.

What is a retread truck tyre?

Simply put, a retread is a tyre casing that is reused. The old, worn tread is removed and replaced with new.

How is a retread truck tyre made?

Retreads are manufactured by either hot retreading or cold retreading.

On a suitable casing, a new tread is added. The casing itself must be stable and undamaged. Finding a suitable candidate for retreading can be hard because most truck tyres have done hundreds of thousands of kilometres before the haulier is ready to discard it because of worn tread.

Once a suitable casing has been found, any remaining tread is skimmed off. The result is a smooth casing ready for retreading.

When a hot retread method is used, hot rubber is gradually added to the casing in thin strips around the tyre. Once the depth is correct, the whole tyre is put in the press. It heats the tyre to 300 degrees Fahrenheit plus. The press also imprints the new truck tyre rubber with the tread pattern.

In the cold retread method, instead of strips of rubber, a whole ring of rubber is added to the base tyre. We then use a machine called an autoclave to add steam and apply pressure until the new rubber has bonded to the old.

Whichever method is used to retread a tyre, the truck tyre is tested for resistance and resilience to the loads that it will be subjected to when in service on the road carrying your products.

What is the advantage of retreads over new tyres?

The most obvious advantage over new tyres is the cost. A retread uses around a third of the rubber needed to produce a new tyre. The typical truck tyre requires 21 gallons of oil in production – a retread uses only around 7 gallons. The typical cost of a retread truck tyre is around 50% of its new equivalent (though it does vary).

However, there are other benefits that are less obvious. For example, retread tyres are the green option. As we’ve seen, retreads need less oil to produce. As well as this, each retread tyre is a tyre that has been salvaged and recycled. In the United States, three out of every four truck tyres are recycled, and most of these are retreaded.

Every truck tyre retreaded is a truck tyre that isn’t discarded in a tyre dump. That’s safer for all and better for the environment.

The big question: are retread truck tyres safe?

The one-word answer is ‘yes’. A good retread can be as good as a new tyre. If you want proof of just how reliable it can be, look at the airline industry. I doubt that you’d find heavier loads and tougher conditions in which tyres operate. An aeroplane tyre could be retreaded dozens of times before being discarded.

Not convinced? Look at your insurance forms. Nowhere will you see that you need to declare that you use retreads. That’s a big pointer to the safety of retreads right there. If retreads were less safe than new tyres, insurance companies would be all over it like a tramp on a sandwich – any excuse to squeeze a few more dollars from drivers.

How do you buy quality retreads?

To make sure you get the best out of your retreads you should ensure that they are as good as new tyres. You wouldn’t use a sub-par, shoddy new tyre, so don’t accept retreads that are below the standard you’d expect from a new tyre.

Here are a few tips when buying retreads for your trucks:

1.     Don’t buy on price alone

You’ll save money with retreads, but you get what you pay for. As with all tyres, the real cost benefit is in how long they last, and the kilometres they cover before they need to be replaced. Always buy the highest quality retread from the highest quality retreader in Brisbane.

2.     Make sure you see samples and testimonials before buying

Ask to review the retreader’s work, reviewing testimonials from satisfied customers and examples of retreaded tyres.

3.     Take a look at the testing equipment

Ask to see testing equipment, and ask to see it in action. If the retreader doesn’t have any, then you better move on to the next retreader as fast as possible.

4.     Don’t go alone

Take someone with you to inspect the tyre shops and retreading facility. Two sets of eyes are better than one, and especially if the second set is someone from your tyre department.

Follow these four simple steps, and there should be no reason why your truck retreads are every bit as good as the new tyres you used to spend twice as much buying.

Contact us today (by Skype, telephone, or on our contact form) and book an appointment to check out the quality of our retreads.

Keeping your family and fleet safely on the road,

Kevin Wood