Talking tyre management with Tructyre
Tructyre, the HGV and PSV tyre servicing specialist, has emphasised the importance of a proactive ‘de-risking’ strategy as a means of avoiding vehicle downtime and protecting the supply chain.
“The reliability, mean time before failure, uptime, and safety of any machine depends on all its systems operating correctly together,” said the company.
“In logistics, where the aim is safe on time and in full delivery, an entire chain of events depends on everything operating as it should.
“A poorly managed tyre can mean the difference between mission success or mission failure; and tyre issues are an all-too-common defect. An insufficiently managed tyre might put the entire system into jeopardy. It does not need to be that way.”
Fleet operators can reduce the risks of tyre failure and consequential loss by deploying a robust tyre management system, says Tructyre – in other words, de-risking the tyres to de-risk the supply chain.
“The purpose of tyre management is to control the use of tyres in the heavy vehicle operation between first fit to the vehicle and removal for disposal or retreading,” said the company.
Tructyre can help operators formulate a successful and proactive tyre management regime, it says, using a system that turns dry data into actionable insights.
“Setting up the systems and making the arrangements is the essential first step in configuring the tyre management system,” said Tructyre.
“The tyre management system begins with a careful review of the fleet and the issues it faces. The back-office systems will be set up, the parameters of checks will be agreed, and maybe an initial fleet audit will be conducted.
“One of the most crucial steps is to define the tyre fitment policy. The policy records such details as the tyre brands and pattern; the removal, regrooving, twinning, and turning criteria; and any other instruction relevant to the management of the tyres.
“The policy is important because tyres are designed for specific vocations and usage parameters. Using the most appropriate tyres in the optimal way will have a positive impact on safety and operational effectiveness.”
For example, says Tructyre, steering axles should be fitted with steer tyres; vehicles travelling in certain conditions should be fitted with 3PMSF and M+S marked tyres; tyres must not (in certain situations) be more than 10 years old; and directional tyre patterns must be correctly fitted for optimal vehicle performance.
A trained, well-resourced, competent, and proactive tyre specialist is at the heart of an effective tyre management system, says Tructyre, whose service is focused entirely on heavy vehicles. A key part of the technician’s role is the tyre inspection.
Much can be learned about the tyre condition from a thorough visual check, the firm adds. A specialist, carefully inspecting the tread, sidewall and bead area, can identify and resolve issues such as unusual wear, cuts, strange deformities or bulges, foreign objects in the casing, cracks, abrasion, chafing damage to the rim, tyres that are too old or incorrectly fitted, and anything else that looks awry.
“In the interests of fleet uptime Tructyre will work, where agreed with the operator, to a ‘find-and-fix’ protocol,” added the company.
“This ensures that the issue is fixed as soon as it is found, and this provides maximum vehicle availability and uptime.”
No tyre management system would be complete without measurements establishing appropriate tyre characteristics, says the firm, and this includes tread depth.
“Maintaining tread depth above the legal minimum is essential to safety because grip will gradually decline as the depth of the tread pattern reduces,” Tructyre continued.
“The tread pattern has an impact upon grip as does the construction of the tyre, the compound of rubber used in the tread area, the surface of the road, weather conditions, the vehicle itself, and driving style and speed.”
Appropriate inspection and rectification of pressure is also vital to maintain the integrity of the tyre casing to ensure its suitability for retreading, adds the company.
On finding a tyre that is more than 10 per cent underinflated, Tructyre will remove and inspect the tyre and wheel assembly to understand the reason for the loss.
“Though the operator may choose to entrust their tyre management system to a specialist, the responsibility for ensuring the system is working is shared jointly between the operator and the tyre service provider,” said Tructyre.
“The shared responsibility is essential because both parties must work closely together to ensure that the fleet is made available for the rigorous tyre management processes. Only by working together will the tyre management system enhance compliance and safety across the fleet.
“This means that tyre management is not switched on just before an inspection or MOT and switched off shortly thereafter. Deployed properly, the tyre management system is a continuous process.
“The uninterrupted execution of a carefully designed and robustly deployed tyre management system is one of its most notable features and is its defining strength.”
Tructyre says its tyre management system, Mastercare+, delivers the core requirements of a tyre management system and the conditions where life-extending services can be applied at precisely the right time across the installed fleet of tyres.
“Truck, bus, or coach fleet operators have the option to choose and configure the elements that they would like covered.
“It comes with an immediate written report and analysis tables that enable the operator and Tructrye to pro-actively manage planned preventive maintenance for trucks, trailers, buses or coaches.
“The Mastercare+ tyre management approach enhances compliance because the installed fleet of tyres are routinely inspected to prevent non-compliant tyres remaining on wheel.
“The Mastercare+ tyre management approach saves money because tyres are caught at precisely the right time to apply a life-extending service.”
