Search Tires
Q/A Archives
April 2006
| M | T | W | T | F | S | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| « Mar | May » | |||||
| 1 | 2 | |||||
| 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
| 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 |
| 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 |
Related Experts
Sign-up for RSS
Archive for April, 2006
Technical Assistance for Tires
Posted by Tim on April 28, 2006
I have a lot of experience with tire manufacturing and I have chance now in my company to work in technical tire assistance in the commercial department. I need your support in the interview , what is the main point from your experience that, I should to start during the interview.
Your experience is in manufacturing so, your strength is your knowledge of how tires are made. If you have little experience in the actual application of tires in working conditions, that is your disadvantage for a job in technical assistance. Concentrate on your strength, your knowledge of tire construction, components and manufacturing.
Rib vs Lug Steer Tires
Posted by Tim on April 26, 2006
You recently commented that a ribbed steer tire was an appropriate choice even when drives were lugged. I drive several types of 4-wheel-drive fire engines in a rural, often off-road setting. Recently, all the tires were replaced, but, over several objections, the lugged steers were replaced with ribbed tires while the drives stayed lugged. All our operators have complained about the change in handling, saying that the vehicles are difficult to get into trim so they drive straight on asphalt, without a lot of manual steering correction. We don’t put a lot of miles on these tires, so I don’t know if breaking them in would have any effect on the handling. We feel we’ve sacrificed traction for a rule-of-thumb. For this application, should we be using the ribbed steers, or are lugged steers the appropriate choice?
There are exceptions to every rule. In most cases, commercial vehicles traveling on paved roads work best with rib steer and trail tires and lug drive tires. This combination of tire types provides the best compromise in for handling, traction and tread wear. Special cases (like extended usage off-highway) may require a different combination of tires. Also, it may be a matter of the drivers getting used to the different feel of the rib tires on asphalt.
Inflation Systems Used on Off-Road Trailers
Posted by Tim on April 25, 2006
I manage military semi trailers, 22-1/2 ton, flatbeds and single drop decks that operate off road as much as 70% of their mission requirements, this includes areas where there are no roads, tracks or even ruts. Is a tire inflation system a good idea under such conditions where it is subject to hazards which can damage it and increase the maintenance burden?
If you are asking about inflations systems that allow you to reduce inflations pressures for off-road, low speed conditions and maintain proper inflation in all conditions, the answer is YES. As a tire guy, I like anything that helps you keep the right amount of air in a tire. Nothing is more important from a tire maintenance standpoint.
Damage Tire Not Replaced
Posted by Tim on April 25, 2006
During pre trip inspection I noted a portion of tread approx 3″ in diameter that appeared to have been cut out.. hacked out with a dull knife approx.half the depth of the tread and in the middle area side to side.I figured I had hit some road debris but didn’t consider it to be dangerous.. no vibration noted… front right tire 255/70R22.5 on a Volvo VNL42T610 running bobtail on a trip from St.Louis to Wilmington,NC.. I learned better later between Nashville and Knoxville when it exploded at 63mph (my optimal cruising speed) taking out my stainless steel bumper,braces, and several other things.. as well as mine and my wife’s nerves.. any idea what the problem was… of coarse I will never assume anything again when it comes to tires on this truck.. when any doubt .. replace.. No injury, so all was well…
Your question brings up a good point. Sometimes serious tire damage is not visable. It may have been that you did hit an object in the road that damaged the tread but, did not look serious to you. If you would have gone to the trouble to have the tire inspected on the inside, you might have found that there were broken cords or cables in the casing from the impact. In a similar way, a tire that has been run underinflated may have damage that is evident by looking at the inside but is not visible on the outside. Take more care the next time.
Feathering Wear
Posted by Tim on April 24, 2006
I have a pick up truck (Nissan Titan 04) and both front tires are feathering on the inside. The truck got a front end alignment and rotated/balanced the tires. This has occurred again within 1.5 months approximately 1500 miles. What can be causing this?
Tire wear conditions and causes are very difficult to diagnose without seeing the vehicle and tires. I suggest you take your truck to a reputable alignment specialist in your area (possibly not the same one who performed the work previously).