The wasted resources don’t just stop with the cost of tyres.

Think of the

•          increased fuel burn, increased engine wear as power units work harder

•          increased bearing loads leading to reduced wheel end life

•          suspension components being twisted as loads are not aligned with axle / chassis axis

•          driver fatigue as the driver fights the vehicle to keep it straight down the road

and from a pavement manager’s (Hello Governments!) perspective think about the side forces generated on the road surface.  How does this affect the maintenance budgets of the road managers?

As an example of what I am saying go to the tyre bay now, grab an inflated truck tyre and roll it across the yard.  Yes, it will roll easily as it is not constrained by a wheel end or other tyres attached to the same axle or for that matter vehicle.

Now drag the tyre at an angle (even just a degree or two) to the intended travel, yes by hand. How much more energy is required to drag the tyre to the same point in the yard?  To you, the fleet manager, who is now exhausted, I ask directly, why do you expect your trucks and trailers be any different to your own experience?

Where does the energy required to abrade the tyres in the fashion demonstrated on the photos above come from?  Only one place, the fuel tank of the vehicle.

So, when pressures are understood and brought under control the very next aspect to consider is the alignment of the tyres and wheel ends.  As was experienced when dragging a single tyre across the yard the energy input is substantial affecting all the aforementioned cost centres on the fleet/vehicle.

In my previous article I discussed tyre tracking, how each tyre was tracked to determine the performance outcomes. With hard evidence in a numerical format, educated decisions can be made about the performance of each tyre specification and how each vehicle determines the outcomes.

If one vehicle shows accelerated tyre wear is this the “fault” of the tyre or perhaps it is maybe that the vehicle has issues. So many people are very quick to blame the poor tyre, which is only doing what it is told to do. It has no say in how it performs; a tyre is totally at the mercy of the operator.

By understanding the performance decisions can be made on a sound economic basis rather than the wild guessimation that seems to be the manner in which many transport businesses conduct their tyre operations.  With understanding comes positive economic benefits, enhanced safety and bottom-line profits which is after all the reason that we are in business is it not?

When considering alignment most issues for a multi combination (truck with trailer(s) usually reside with the trailers.  People spend big time having the tractor axles aligned and then wonder why irregular tyre wear is still such an issue. The trailer actually pulls the tractor if it (the trailer) is not properly aligned.  Consider the axles of the entire vehicle as a team. If they are not ALL going in the same direction, then how is the goal (i.e. profit) going to be achieved? Does a number of football players on the field together make a team?  NO! Only when the individuals play as a team are the desired results gained. So why is it different for a multi axle vehicle?

Wheel alignment is an art, it takes a lot of experience to consider what information the tyres (and the driver) are providing.  Making adjustments can sometimes be down to single millimetres, yes it makes that much difference.  Toe and castor settings, scrub and thrust angles all affect not only the tyres but also the wheel end life as well as the fuel burn rates.  Often heard explanations are “that takes too much time or costs too much”.  Well, looking at the tyres in the photos above how much is being “sacrificed” in the name of economics?  Sure, if it was “just” the tyres economic rationalisation could be sound but when fuel burn (consider ~2 – 6%), reduced wheel end life (actual can be 10 – 20%) are added to the list do the economics still come to be the positive outcome thought to be so?

Then consider vehicle safety and driver safety as well as satisfaction.  Driving a truck that requires constant adjustment to the steering to maintain the desired direction is profoundly tiring.  The fact that a fatigued operator makes more errors of judgement is well accepted. So why are transport companies not striving to have their vehicles rolling down the highways and roads rather than being dragged?  Remember dragging the tyre across the yard?  Was that not quickly fatiguing?

The question remains why do so many people still ignore the waste generated from not utilising the second highest operating expense within a transport fleet, the humble tyre?

Are you so tired that tyres don’t count?  Why throw your profits away?

• Adam Gosling and the team at TyreSafe Australia provide guidance and direction for all tyre users. Safety is paramount, so is efficiency and sustainability. Tyres are a globally universal product, the requirement for tyre safety is also a global standard

Bridgestone will supply tailored-made tyres for Lamborghini’s Huracán STO, which will be launched in 2021.

Bridgestone ensured the high-performance tyre can maximise the Huracán STO’s traction, handling, control, and extreme overall performance.

Key to the tyre’s success in maximising the super sports car’s performance is the combination of pattern and cavity design. The Potenza tyres apply an asymmetric tread design for enhanced steering response and cornering stability, and an internal crown structure that distributes footprint pressure evenly when cornering.

As well as the road-focused, custom-developed Potenza fitment, Bridgestone will also be providing a track-oriented, road-homologated version of the tyre that applies “race” technologies to maximise the vehicle’s track performance, especially in dry conditions.

Steven De Bock, VP Consumer Replacement and OE at Bridgestone EMIA, said, “It’s been a pleasure for our team to work so closely with Lamborghini for the first time, and on such an exciting project. The Huracán STO is an incredible piece of engineering that deserves a custom tyre that can fulfill its full potential. I can proudly say that Bridgestone has delivered such a high-performance tyre. It has been fantastic for the team to have worked on a project that is at the forefront of technology in so many ways.”

Hankook, one of the major global tyre brands, has started testing and development operations at its new ultra modern facility in Spain.

The testing facility has been set up on the premises of the Applus+ IDIADA Group and can also cater to European premium car manufacturers that have their own demanding tyre tests. The facility is completely automated and will host a 20-member team from the Spanish testing centre, which is affiliated to the Hankook Europe Technical Centre.

Klaus Krause, Head of European Research and Development Centre, said, "With the further expansion of our testing capacities in Spain, we are reaching the next level together with our local partner Applus+ IDIADA."

He also added, "We are confident that the newly installed testing facilities in particular will significantly improve our efforts to provide the best tyre testing conditions and services to our employees and customers. In addition, we will also be able to conduct significantly more tests on site." (TT)

ASCENSO introduced a construction tyre - BLB 730- which is used for boom lift vehicles used in construction and other industries. It comes with several features that cater to the unique needs of aerial lifting equipment.

The BLB 730 tyre is available in different sizes to fit various boom lift vehicles. This range of sizes provides versatility and compatibility with different types of aerial lift work platforms.

“ASCENSO's BLB 730 tyre is a significant advancement in specialised equipment for the construction industry. It focuses on load capacity, stability, traction, and durability to improve the performance and safety of boom lift vehicles. Whether working at heights or manoeuvring on tough terrains, this tyre offers reliability and durability for efficient operations,” said the company in a statement.

The BLB 730 tyre is built to handle heavy loads and stabilise boom lift vehicles. It has solid lugs and a more extended shoulder design, which ensures good traction and prevents slipping during operation. This is important for safely carrying heavy weights at high elevations. ASCENSO has used a special rubber compound in making the BLB 730 tyre, making it durable and long-lasting, resulting in less downtime and more productivity on construction sites.

To make the tyre even better, the company has optimised its inner volume to reduce tyre fill consumption, reducing the risk of tyre punctures, minimising the need for maintenance, and keep the vehicles running smoothly.

Falken Tyre Europe is an official IHF Men's World Championship 2023 partner for the upcoming tournament, the company has announced. The tournament is taking place at nine venues in Sweden and Poland from 11-29 January, 2023. Falken Tyre claims that the partnership was organised by the sports marketing agency SPORTFIVE. SPORTFIVE is responsible for exclusive marketing and media rights for all IHF World Championships until 2031.

Falken Tyre claims that this is its second agreement with the International Handball Federation. In addition to title and logo rights (Official IHF Men's World Championship 2023 Partner), the company has also secured advertising rights, including the Falken logo in each goal and centre circle of the courts, as well as the presence of Falken branding in the official tournament social media communications and print materials. According to Falken Tyre, this is complemented by 30-second video ads that will be shown on the big screens in the nine sports halls before the start of each match and at half-time.

Sharing his views, Robert Müller von Vultejus, Chief Growth Officer at SPORTFIVE, said, “With Falken, the IHF World Handball Championships have secured a great partner who is positioned with far-reaching influence in the relevant core markets. We are delighted to have been able to bring two global partners together for one of the most exciting sporting events of next year.”

Markus Bögner, COO and President of Falken Tyre Europe GmbH, explained, “Handball isn’t just of great importance in Europe, but all over the world, which has led us to partake in this top-level tournament once again. The fact that the international tournament is taking place in countries that are among our core markets is another great reason for our involvement. We can also look back on a long partnership with our colleagues at SPORTFIVE, who always offers us excellent opportunities that are an excellent fit for the Falken brand, which stands for enthusiasm, performance and achievement.”