Choosing the Right Tires for Heavy Equipment Operations

[MikePhua]

The Role of Tires in Equipment Performance
Tires are more than just a wear item—they are a critical component of traction, stability, fuel efficiency, and operator safety. In construction, mining, forestry, and agriculture, the wrong tire can lead to downtime, increased fuel consumption, and even structural damage to the machine. Whether mounted on a skid steer, loader, grader, or haul truck, tires must be matched to terrain, load, and duty cycle.
The global off-the-road (OTR) tire market is projected to exceed USD 30 billion by 2026, driven by infrastructure expansion and mechanized agriculture. Manufacturers like Michelin, Bridgestone, Goodyear, and Titan dominate the sector, offering specialized compounds, tread patterns, and casing designs for every application.
Terminology Notes

• Ply Rating: Indicates the tire’s load-carrying capacity; higher ply means stronger sidewalls.
  
• Bias Ply: A tire construction with crisscrossed layers, offering durability and resistance to punctures.
  
• Radial Ply: A tire with steel belts running perpendicular to the tread, offering better ride and heat dissipation.
  
• Foam Fill: A method of replacing air with polyurethane to eliminate flats in harsh environments.
  

Matching Tires to Terrain and Task
Choosing the right tire begins with understanding the operating environment:

• Hard-packed surfaces
  • Use radial tires with low rolling resistance
    
  • Ideal for loaders and graders on paved or compacted ground
    
• Soft or muddy terrain
  • Opt for deep-lug bias tires with aggressive tread
    
  • Suitable for skid steers and backhoes in wet clay or peat
    
• Rocky or abrasive conditions
  • Use cut-resistant compounds and reinforced sidewalls
    
  • Common in quarry trucks and underground mining rigs
    
• Forestry and brush clearing
  

• Choose tires with self-cleaning tread and puncture protection
  
• Foam-filled options reduce downtime from thorns and stumps
  

A contractor in Alberta switched his skid steer from standard 10x16.5 tires to 12x16.5 foam-filled forestry-grade tires. The machine gained better flotation and eliminated daily pressure checks, saving over 20 hours of maintenance per month.
Signs of Tire Wear and Replacement Timing
Operators should monitor:

• Cracking or dry rot on sidewalls
  
• Tread depth below manufacturer minimum
  
• Uneven wear indicating alignment or suspension issues
  
• Frequent flats or slow leaks
  
• Vibration or bounce during travel
  

A technician in Texas diagnosed a loader’s steering drift by inspecting tire wear patterns. The front left tire showed excessive shoulder wear, revealing a bent spindle that had gone unnoticed for months.
Buying Used Tires and Evaluating Condition
Used tires can offer value if inspected properly. Key checks include:

• Date code and age (tires over 6 years may degrade internally)
  
• Tread depth and evenness
  
• Sidewall integrity and absence of patches
  
• Bead condition for proper sealing
  
• Previous application (e.g., mining tires may have unseen casing damage)
  

Some dealers offer retreaded tires with warranty. A crew in Georgia purchased retreaded 23.5R25 loader tires for half the cost of new, and tracked performance over 1,000 hours with no failures.
Storage and Handling Best Practices
To extend tire life:

• Store upright in a cool, dry place away from sunlight
  
• Avoid stacking more than three high to prevent deformation
  
• Keep away from petroleum products and ozone sources
  
• Rotate tires in storage every 60 days to prevent flat spots
  

A fleet manager in Montana built a ventilated tire shed with UV-blocking panels and pallet racks. His inventory of seasonal tires lasted 30% longer than previous open-yard storage.
Operator Anecdotes and Field Wisdom
A retired operator in Maine recalled using bias-ply tires on a grader during winter road maintenance. The deep lugs gave excellent grip on ice, but the ride was rough. He later switched to radials with siped tread and noticed reduced fatigue and better fuel economy.
In British Columbia, a logging crew used foam-filled tires on their compact loader to clear alder thickets. The terrain was littered with stumps and sharp roots, but the tires held up for two seasons without a single flat.
Recommendations for Fleet Managers and Buyers
To optimize tire performance and cost:

• Track tire hours and fuel consumption per machine
  
• Use pressure monitoring systems for high-speed equipment
  
• Train operators on tire-friendly driving habits
  
• Schedule tire rotation and alignment checks quarterly
  
• Partner with local dealers for volume discounts and emergency replacements
  

A fleet manager in Connecticut created a tire performance dashboard including tread wear rate, downtime incidents, and cost per hour. This helped him identify underperforming brands and negotiate better contracts.
Conclusion
Good tires are not just about rubber—they’re about reliability, safety, and operational efficiency. Whether buying new, used, or retreaded, the right tire choice can transform machine performance and reduce long-term costs. In heavy equipment, traction is power—and every tread tells a story.