When to replace the tyres of small earth-movers

19 October 2022

While there are quite some ways in which you can optimise and prolong the lifespan of rubber tyres, they inevitably wear out over time and replacement parts will be required. To avoid losing time and money, you want to keep the downtime of skid steer loaders or backhoe loaders to a minimum. This can be achieved by knowing how to recognise worn-out pneumatic tyres.

Why you should replace worn-out tyres

The tyres of small earth-movers like skid steer loaders or backhoe loaders play a valuable role in maximising productivity. Without qualitative tyres, you are more vulnerable to punctures and, consequently, unanticipated downtime and lost productivity.

However, tyres should also never be left on a machine for too long. If you notice that the tyres are worn out, they should immediately be replaced to ensure safety. Continuing to use worn-out tyres poses a number of risks:

Worn tyres no longer offer the grip you need.
The more run-down a tyre is, the higher the chances of infringements or punctures.
With worn-out tyres, the chance of the machine toppling over increases, especially when carrying a heavy load.
Inadequate tyres result in excessive vibrations, which are known to lead to excessive wear and premature failing of other parts.
Run-down pneumatic tyres are prone to blowouts at high speeds, which is extremely dangerous.
Worn-out tyres increase the braking distance of machines.

Factors that influence the lifespan of tyres

It’s difficult to define the exact lifespan of rubber tyres in terms of a number of working hours. After all, there are various factors that influence wear and tear, including:

The quality of the tyres;
How the tyres are used and the environment they’re generally used in;
The behaviour of the driver;
The surface conditions;
Ambient temperatures;
Inflation pressure (in the case of pneumatic tyres);
Whether the tyres were in contact with pollutants such as oil, grease, petrol, chemicals or other volatile solvents.

Replacing pneumatic tyres

What are pneumatic tyres?

Pneumatic tyres are made of rubber reinforced with steel or fabric and are filled with air. The air pressure inside pneumatic tyres provides resistance against the forces pushing against the tyre and causes a cushioning effect, which lowers the impact of bumps on the driving surface. That is why this type of tyre is generally regarded as more comfortable.

Pneumatic tyres are very versatile. They are suitable for flat or smooth surfaces such as warehouses and workshops, as well as for uneven terrains like construction sites. One thing to take into account, however, is that they are vulnerable to punctures from debris or sharp objects.

Radial versus diagonal tyres

The way in which pneumatic tyres are reinforced, causes them to be divided into two groups:

The inside of radial tyres is reinforced with one or more layers of fibres or steel, which run from bead to bead in a radial direction. The tread itself is stabilised by steel belts. Those reinforcements make the side wall of the tyres very flexible, allowing for better absorption of shocks. In addition, radial tyres cause higher resistance against tread-related damage and lower fuel consumption. However, this type of tyre is more susceptible to collisions in the side wall, especially since that side wall is less stable under heavy loads.

The inside of diagonal tyres, on the other hand, is reinforced with several layers of fabric (often nylon). Those layers run diagonally across each other in the tread and side wall, from one bead to the other. This makes the side wall more damage-resistant and increases the machine's stability. It should be taken into account, however, that diagonal tyres reduce driving comfort and raise fuel consumption.

When to replace pneumatic tyres?

Since only the tread on pneumatic tyres makes contact with the ground, that is also the main indicator of when they should be replaced. When the tread is no longer visible, it’s time to install new tyres.

However, a pneumatic tyre should of course always be replaced when it is damaged. Think of infringements, punctures, bulges/deformations, the presence of foreign objects …

Ordering new tyres

When it’s time to replace the tyres of skid steer loaders or backhoe loaders, you can easily find the right type through the machine details (make, model, etc.):