Keeping earthmovers on a safe footing.

Having championed the cause for an earthmover tyre repair standard with OEMs for some years, OTR Tyres has added the Michelin Earthmover Tyre Repair Accreditation to its existing quality portfolio.

OTR introduced its own strict repair standards more than a decade ago by refusing to ‘plug' tyres and have promoted safe tyre repairs at all times since then.

UK operations director, Darren Flint, says: "We have seen the results of awful earthmover tyre repairs over the years, often receiving tyres for retreading that we had previously refused to repair. So we are pleased that one OEM has followed our development and set a national standard, which we achieved without change or implementation, which is in itself, testimony to our existing code of practice".

OTR has a network of repair centres at service hubs in the north west, Scotland, the south east, the north east and the midlands, with all larger or more complex injuries handled at the company's manufacturing operation near Alfreton.

OTR's manufacturing manager, Wayne Cornell, states: "Every one of our tyre repair engineers are both externally and internally qualified to repair all leading brands of tyres within what is our normal tyre repair process. At our retreading manufacturing plant in Alfreton we also have the largest open steam autoclave capacity in the UK, capable of curing repairs from the smallest tyre up to 4000 x 57".

The latest developments being tested at OTR allow larger, more complex, injuries to be repaired to the same exacting standards as more normal sized repairs. 

Wayne continued: "The latest developments allow larger injuries to be repaired whilst retaining the opportunity for retreading. As always, both processes are dependant upon the casing integrity with the overall aim of reducing the number of scrap earthmover tyres".  

Further on the safety theme, OTR has developed a full Tyre Safety Inflation Course for operators and engineers.  Colin Marshall, OTR's safety & training manager said: "Inflating earthmover tyres is a very dangerous procedure, so when we were asked a few years ago by a leading operator in the north east to provide his engineers with on site safety training and instruction for inflating tyres we prepared a comprehensive course, and things have just developed from there".

Whilst safety is the key objective of the OTR Tyre Inflation courses the added benefit is that tyre life is also extended, incorrect pressures can account for significant tyre life reduction:

• 10% under inflated = 10% reduction in life;
• 20% under inflated = 25% reduction in life;
• 30% under inflated = 50% reduction in life.

Darren Flint commented: "The more safety awareness there is out there on site the better, as far as OTR are concerned. Our objectives are simple - to help operators and engineers overcome their ignorance of the dangers of tyre inflation and at the same time, show them the commercial benefits of correct tyre inflation."

The OTR course includes a PowerPoint presentation, ‘classroom' theory, equipment review and assessment, site recommendations including planning the vehicle inflation area, plus a full study of safety, risk and operational procedures at the site.
"Minimising risk is paramount, so with the correct equipment and procedures in place, the engineers actually inflate and test tyre pressure away from the vehicle - they are in total control of the situation," concluded Colin. 

OTR has several of the UK's leading mine and quarry operators involved in this aspect of tyre safety and in addition to putting internal systems in place, have trained more than 400 engineers nationwide.

OTR Tyres Ltd

Bluebell Close
Clover Nook Industrial Park
Alfreton
Derbys
DE55 4RD
UK

T: 01773 520885