Ahead of the annual update on mining tyres coming in the May 2015 issue of IM, Editor Paul Moore caught up with Mike Manges, Manager of Commercial/Off-Highway Tire Communications at The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company on the current slowdown in large tyres demand, next generation products and better tyre management. On demand for large OTR tyres Manges stated that this has decreased due to the slowdown in new mine openings and mine expansion developments, and in some, cases mine closures.
He adds: “Mining operations have shifted their focus from expansion to operational efficiency and cost reduction in order to improve their profitability. The mining industry is cyclical, and the supply-demand balance will eventually recalibrate. We take the long view, and are confident that our products, services and programs will continue to deliver measureable economic benefits to our customers through the peaks and valleys of demand. And we will continue to adjust, as a supplier, to meet the changing needs of our customers as they react to the evolving marketplace. For example, in the radial construction segment, we are increasing our capacity and growing our business with quality products that our customers want.”
On technology developments at Goodyear he states: “We are currently developing next-generation products for our RM [Rock Mining] line of tyres for haulage applications. The unique design of our RM line, which includes our ultra-large 63 in tyre, encompasses non-directional tread patterns with high groove angles for enhanced traction; Goodyear’s proprietary CycleMax tread compound for cool running; interlocking centre blades for optimal lug stability; and an optimised tread pattern net-to-gross for ideal wear/temperature balance. The Goodyear RM line is available globally. Our next-generation RM4B+ tyre offers the same benefits as our current RM4A+, with increases net-to-gross for added performance.”
Finally on current trends with regard to tyre management practices and retreading practices in the industry, Goodyear believes that after-sale service remains a vital element of helping customers optimise their tyre investment. “We work very closely with our customers to help them achieve this objective. Our field services include mine site audits; temperature and GPS studies; training including basic, advanced and service; development engineering follow-up, and more. Our regional managers and field sales managers provide application, after-sale advice and service as well as advice on mine operating conditions. We are currently working on other, non-tyre services that will provide additional value to our customers.”
Goodyear says it also encourages customers to conduct TKPH (tonne-kilometre-hour) studies as a way to help optimise their tyre investment. “Every mining tyre, regardless of application, has a specific TKPH rating that dictates how much weight the tyre can carry at a specific speed. This rating is the result of multiplying the vehicle’s average load by its average speed. Making sure that tyres do not exceed their TKPH rating can help optimise tyre performance and extend tyre service life. We offer different ways to track vehicle load and speed information. We can place GPS tracking units on haul trucks and other vehicles in order to monitor their movement over a certain period of time; and 24 hours is common. Collected data is then used to calculate TKPH. This information – along with other inputs like inflation, tread depth etc can be fed into Goodyear’s proprietary EMTrack tyre management system, which helps users track tyre life spans and delivered hours of service.”