{"id":11636,"date":"2021-06-29T13:19:43","date_gmt":"2021-06-29T11:19:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/?p=11636"},"modified":"2021-06-29T13:19:43","modified_gmt":"2021-06-29T11:19:43","slug":"tire-6","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/2021\/06\/29\/tire-6\/","title":{"rendered":"Improving tire management using scrap tire analysis"},"content":{"rendered":"

How past tire performance can help fleets make informed future tire decisions.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are many reasons tires are removed from service outside of normal wear. This can range from driver-related behavior, to running the wrong type of tires in a particular application, to vehicle condition such as alignment or worn suspension components.<\/span><\/p>\n

It is relatively easy to identify many of the issues that lead to early tire removal by analyzing the tires themselves. By pinpointing common reoccurring problems, fleets can make decisions that will help prolong the life of their tires. Plus, they can find tires that best fit their operation.<\/span><\/p>\n

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As beneficial as scrap tire analysis can be, however, few fleets take advantage. Only a small percent inspect their scrap tires on a regular basis. Top tire service providers say one of the most effective ways to reduce a fleet\u2019s overall maintenance spend is by \u201cconsistently analyzing scrap tires.\u201d There is nothing easy about going through scrap tires; they are dirty, heavy, often kept outside, and in some extreme cases of badly damaged tires, they bite.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here is how to develop a solid scrap tire program, and what a fleet can expect to find.<\/span><\/p>\n

Getting started<\/span><\/h3>\n

Once a tire is pulled from service, take a few seconds to inspect the tire and mark the reason the tire was removed from service. It does not need to be a thorough inspection, as that will occur later in the process, but this will provide an idea of why the tire was removed.<\/span><\/p>\n

A key step while making the initial inspection is making sure the tires are inflated. If a tire failed due to a puncture or slow leak, it may be difficult to find the problem area if it is flat.<\/span><\/p>\n

A good reference for determining the cause of a failure is the Technology and Maintenance Council\u2019s (TMC) Radial Tire Conditions Analysis Guide. It contains information and photos of tire conditions as well as probable causes for premature removal. Other resources are readily available on the Internet.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tires that have worn evenly down to the \u201cpull point\u201d and are ready for retreads should be set aside so they will not be mistaken for scrap. Over time as a fleet regularly goes through scrap tires and implements program improvements, they should see an increase in the percentage of tires that can be retreaded.<\/span><\/p>\n

When it comes time to perform a scrap tire analysis, the fleet\u2019s tire dealer may be able to help. If a fleet has more than 100 trucks, scrap tires should be inspected every month. Smaller fleets should check once every quarter for at least the first few cycles.<\/span><\/p>\n

What to look for<\/span><\/h3>\n

Potential cost savings are found by identifying recurring issues that lead to early removal. A few random tires that have uneven wear may not provide much information, but unevenly worn tires continuously pulled from a specific truck, with a particular tire brand, along a specific route, or with the same driver, will provide the information needed to narrow down the cause and effect.<\/span><\/p>\n

Using a spreadsheet helps keep the data organized and offers an easy way to run reports and compare current and past tire analysis results. The more information a fleet has, the better off it will be. Here is a general outline of some of the information to be noted when inspecting tires:<\/span><\/p>\n