MINING TYRES
continue till 2025, and this includes mining
vehicles and equipment. Presently, the Asia-
Pacific area is dominating thanks to substantial
investments by the governments in this sector,
and thanks to the growth of countries belonging
to the region. Generally speaking, there has been
increased mining activity on a global scale for
several years leading to growth in the markets of
both specialist machinery and that of related
tyres. Yet, these are not simply tyres. OTR tyre
products are highly technological, ensure
reduced fuel consumption and provide high
traction and stability in addition to extraordinary
resistance against cuts, abrasion and wear even
under the toughest operating conditions,
resulting in increased durability. A growing but
selective market. That is the challenge.” BKT
adds that there is a particular and ongoing
growth trend for giant sizes from 51 in to 63 in
and that this is the reason for BKT’s focus on this
specific segment.
BKT looks to improve tyre basic
materials
At the recent Bauma trade show in Munich, BKT
launched the new 51 in version of its EARTHMAX
SR 46 for rigid dumpers operating under adverse
conditions in rocky environments such as mines,
dams and large construction sites. It is the
largest size BKT has ever built: the 33.00R51.
Salmaso adds: “Finally, thanks to consistent
investments into new plants, we already foresee
the launch of a 57 in version for EARTHMAX SR
46. We are working on the development of a new
compound that perfectly suits these dimensions.
Soon, also a 63 in version will follow. However,
there is much more than just sizes and patterns.
We are also conducting parallel initiatives
concerning materials. Following a joint research
agreement, which was stipulated with KULTEVAT
Inc last year, and after several studies and tests,
we have developed new compounding methods
in order to gradually replace natural rubber with
TKS rubber. The Russian Dandelion, (taraxacum
kok-saghyz or TKS), produces a substance that is
similar to natural rubber. In contrast to the
rubber gum tree, this plant does not require a
specific territory and climate but grows everywhere.
“In addition, we are working on the
development of high-performance compounds by
means of nanomaterials or nanocomposites
providing enhanced features such as thermal or
mechanical stability. We are currently conducting
studies and experiments on natural fibres such
as nanoclay and nanocellulose; especially the
latter is widespread in nature. Another material
we are experimenting with is graphene, which is
important for the tire manufacturing process,
since it provides increased wear and puncture
resistance, higher tensile strength as well as
improved rolling resistance, and exceptional
48 International Mining | JULY 2019
durability. Finally, we are developing new
compounds that are extraordinarily cut-and-chip
resistant in addition to ultra-heat-resistant
compounds that are able to carry heavy loads
with a top TKPH value, ie the average ratio
between the equipment’s transported weight in
tons and its speed in km/h.”
Belshina and Techking advance radial
sizes
Progress is being made among alternative
suppliers in radial tyres. Belarus company
Belshina recently sent a pilot batch of all-steel
OTR radial tyres of size 59/80R63 to the Kuzbass
coal mining region near Kemerovo in Russia for
field tests after successful drum tests in
Belshina’s own JSC Testing Department. Belshina
stated: “It is necessary for determination the
actual mileage and for evaluation quality
parameters of the tyres mounted on BELAZ dump
trucks under actual service conditions while
working in coal pits.” It is expected that the full
cycle of performance tests in the Kemerovo
Region will take from 6 to 8 months, after which
its new mega-tyre will be put into serial
production.
The Belshina OTR radial tyre of size 40.00R57
known as the Bel-350 tyre has already been put
into serial production. Being designed for dump
trucks with a capacity of 220 t the company says
this tyre acquitted itself well during performance
tests in Serbia. The Bel-350 tyre went through
3,3oo machine hours so achieved the same level
of performance as other major manufacturers
established in the market for this tyre size.
From December 2018 to March 2019,
China’s Techking had 29.5R25 SUPER ADT tyres
trialling for four months at a copper mine in
Zambia. In March 2019, the Techking service
team made the 4th site track & service visit and
at that point the tyre had been running for more
than 870 hours on 40 t Caterpillar and Bell ADTs
over hauls of 2 km or less averaging 12 minutes
at a maximum speed of 40
km/h. Two formulas were
tested, one for softer road
conditions and the other a
cut resistance formula for
bad road conditions. The
tyres followed the mine
shift pattern of three eight
hour shifts per day.
Overall Techking
estimates it will achieve a
average tyre life of 4,000
hours versus a “Tier 1”
premium tyre of around
6,000 hours.
In China in April 2019,
SANY launched its new S Class rigid tipper type
dump truck including the SKT90S with 60 t
capacity. Techking is the only designated radial
tyre supplier for this vehicle and these types of
tipper wide body trucks are starting to dominate
the market in China instead of traditional rigid
trucks at these sizes.
TPMS and tyre monitoring
Goodyear’s Nick Davis says the company
believes monitoring technologies will play an
increasingly important role in enhancing tyre life
and performance. “A growing number of mining
customers across the globe are using Goodyear’s
EMTrack system to optimise their tyre
performance and help drive down their operating
costs. EMTrack allows mine personnel to view
tyre performance data across the entire
operation, and gives them the ability to zero in on
specific tyres, calculating cost-per-hour, cost-per-
tonne and other key metrics. In addition, through
Goodyear’s EMTrack system, mining operations
can identify maintenance opportunities to help
ensure optimal tyre performance. And the
information collected through Goodyear EMTrack
can help mining operations forecast future tyre
requirements for more efficient ordering and tyre
procurement budgeting.”
In Europe, the company is also deploying its
Goodyear TPMS Heavy Duty, a data-based
solution that enables precise, real-time
monitoring of tyres. TPMS Heavy Duty features
advanced telematics and a patented predictive
analytics technology called G-Predict. Sensors
mounted inside tyres constantly monitor tyre
pressure and temperature and transmit this
information via on-board telematics to a
Goodyear server, where data is analysed.
Operators are immediately notified of potential
issues and the captured data is analysed to help
predict tyre life and plan tyre maintenance. In
addition, the system’s built-in Track & Trace GPS
function allows fleet managers to locate
machines, as well as to prevent unauthorised
movement.
Belshina is now testing its radial 63 in tyre in
Russia’s Kuzbass coal mining region