Until recently, the long daily distances made the use of the tyre protection chains, that have become standard protection for loader tyres, impractical and uneconomic for haul trucks. In an inspired departure from its highly successful chain technology, Erlau design engineers have adapted sophisticate automotive polymers to produce a circular shield of flexible, profiled, orange platelets that, once secured within the wheel rim, not only deflect stray rocks but also, after absorbing the crush from a close rock pile, revert to their original shape.
Other recent innovations from Erlau include Easy R-Lock, Easy C-Lock and Smart-Link.
Used to ‘stitch’ the ends of the chain mat, Easy R-Lock replaces the clumsy hammer and pin and the dangerous flame cutting gear with a simple integral locking device which requires an ubiquitous hex key to secure or release the two components.
Similarly, Erlau Easy C-Lock, is the two-part repair link with a built-in lock that can be quickly secured with an 180o turn of a standard flat-bladed screwdriver.
A mark of confidence in the reliability of its chains, Erlau provides Smart-Link – a link-embedded RFID device that records and provides management with a downloadable maintenance history for each TPC.
While the availability of earthmover tyres has improved and demand fallen slightly, Erlau believes that owners should continue to get maximum value by protecting their tyres from abrasion, cuts, sidewall damage and heat erosion.
Erlau TPCs have a proven track record in many heavy-side industries – driving up productivity and driving down tonnage handling costs.
