Putting a Spotlight on the OTR Tire Market
The 2023 OTR Tire Conference is coming up this February 22nd to the 25th in Tucson, Arizona. This well-attended annual forum is a focal point for our industry where the manufacturers, dealers and customers working in the Off-the-Road (OTR) tire space convene to discuss the coming year and shine a laser beam on the many applications and solutions for the segment.
The role that OTR tires and commercial/industrial vehicles play in the overall transportation marketplace can’t be overstated. They are fundamental to the efficient operation of heavy earthmoving equipment (bulldozers, excavators, telehandlers, forklifts and more) and play a pivotal role in supporting “power” economic sectors such as commercial and residential construction and building, and over- and underground international precious minerals and metals mining. Operators and multi-national corporations working in these essential fields know that their OTR equipment is the lifeblood of their business. Off-the-Road vehicles are responsible for loading and hauling fresh supplies and raw goods to a busy worksite—and they are also the lynch pin for removing the unwanted land, refuse and debris from a project venue on a timely schedule to ensure around-the-clock productivity and efficiency.
Earthmoving equipment are large machines that must be operated with care and the utmost safety to ensure the protection of any involved labor force. An unanticipated accident involving an OTR vehicle is a major incident, compromising both the integrity and productivity of a worksite location. Experienced project managers know that OTR equipment must be properly cared for and outfitted with the right support tools and accessories at all times.
No element of the OTR “work horse” is more important that proper tire selection. Tires keep OTR equipment upright and functional and they are intimately connected to the physical health, safety and well-being of vehicle driver-operators, many of whom spend up to 8 hours or more behind the wheel.
When it comes to OTR tire options, there are several choices. Solid aperture tires offer a sturdy, puncture proof solution, but they are heavy, costly and cumbersome to manipulate on hillsides and gradated surfaces (where construction mandates often require extensive work). Additionally, they offer a rough and bumpy ride which creates excess G-force impact on equipment operators due to cross-axle vibrations—which can take its toll on operators who may even sustain muscular-skeletal fatigue after long hours in the cab. Traditional pneumatic tires offer a more comfortable, air-like ride, but are extremely vulnerable to on-the-job tire flats. And in high-risk industries like construction and mining, partial tire punctures or full flats present myriad safety hazards—not excluding full vehicle tip-overs, especially when equipment is located on uneven or steep surfaces.
There is only one OTR tire solution that offers the best of both worlds, along with the added benefit of more sustainable-use practices: tire or “foam” polyurethane fill. The polyurethane fill is pumped into the tire and cures within 24 hours into a solid elastomer core that eliminates dangerous and costly tire flats. Pneumatic-filled tires allow OTR vehicles to safely operate across even heavy worksite debris—such as sharp rocks, nails, glass and even rebar—without repercussions, saving operators invaluable time and money.
Carlisle TyrFil, the leading global foam fill brand, has been helping OTR operators to benefit from smarter flatproofing technologies for more than five decades. TyrFil™ flatproofing benefits include:
- Eliminates 100% of flat tires
- Less tip-overs due to sudden flats
- Better ballast for steep hillside jobs or unusual overload conditions
- Eliminates the potential for tires or wheels to fail with explosive force
- Fewer bent wheels
- Less mechanical downtime from tire malfunction
- Prevents drivers from getting stuck out in the field from premature tire failure
TyrFil flatproofing is available in different grades to meet the particular load, ride and traction needs of specific vehicles and work environments. The polyurethane liquid fill solution also delivers a smoother flatproofed ride that reduces the harsh, bumpy experience delivered by solid, aperture tires – protecting the vehicle operator from Whole Body Vibration (WBV) injury and significantly easing back, neck and head strain for commercial drivers.
Moreover, polyurethane tire fill is the right investment for sustainably minded companies looking to reduce their carbon footprint. TyrFil helps to eliminate whole tire and tire scrap waste from clogging our already over-cluttered global landfills—and polyurethane foam filled tires can be reclaimed much more easily than the rubber in solid tires, which saves both the dealer and customer money, while reducing environmental impact.
Any OTR vehicle operator looking to mind their bottom-line expenses and ensure a smooth flowing and highly productive job site will want to consider the myriad benefits of foam fill tire technology.
Carlisle TyrFil hopes to see you at this month’s 2023 Off-the-Road Tire Conference and please visit CarlilseTyrFil.com/Products/ to learn more about the advantages of polyurethane tire fill for your OTR equipment fleet.
