WINNING
“It is important to have
the correct tyre for
the correct application,
and expertise is
needed to make that
recommendation.”
The maintenance of tyres on heavy equipment is an extremely
important operational function on any mine or quarry and can
reduce operational costs significantly.
Considering training standards, a scarcity
of tyres and customers’ need for value, Kal
Tire demonstrates how advanced training
and tyre maintenance go a long way to meet
customer expectations.
*Source: www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/
stone-quarrying-clay-and-sandpits-in-south-
africa-2017-300539976.html.
With training comes excellent
performance
In a bid to reduce injuries and fatalities, South
Africa’s mining bodies have developed policies
that insist workers are sufficiently trained and
certified before even entering a mine site.
For Kal Tire, an international company
with more than 6 500 team members serving
mine sites across five continents, consistency
and high training standards is key.
As Kal Tire began orientation with Tyre
Corporation team members, the company
rolled out waves of training that reached
even the remotest corners of South Africa
to ensure everyone was trained to the
country’s and Kal Tire’s standards. It was
also an excellent opportunity for Kal Tire
to introduce new team members to the
company’s AIMS – seven guiding principles
that define who we are and to instil the Kal
Tire values, describing everything from safety
and quality to relationships and integrity.
Maintenance in a time of scarcity
Today mines and tyre maintenance companies
like Kal Tire face another challenge: tyre
scarcity. It’s a global problem that has seriously
affected South Africa. Currently the following
tyre sizes are extremely difficult to source: 49,
51, 57, 59 and 63-inch tyres.
Ultra-size tyres are an expensive and
critical part of a quarry’s operations,
so when these sizes become scarce, it’s
imperative to have a reputable tyre company
managing and maintaining tyres and wheels.
For Kal Tire, extending tyre life and
investment is a holistic approach that starts
with tyre selection and understanding a
quarry’s unique operations and demands,
supported by professional tyre maintenance,
as well as OTR tyre repair and retreading
services to extend the tyre life cycle as much
as possible.
It is important to have the correct tyre
for the correct application, and expertise
is needed to make that recommendation.
After sourcing, Kal Tire’s maintenance
programme focuses on daily, weekly
and monthly visual tyre inspections to
catch signs of wear or damage and take
preventative repair action.
Fleet pressure maintenance is also a
crucial step in ensuring a quarry tyre can
carry its load without compromise. Wheel
rim maintenance and inspection is an
equally important maintenance task as bent
rim components and improper tyre and
rim fitments can spell tyre leaks, stress and
premature wear. Damaged or mismatched
rim components pose a severe safety risk.
For us, these steps are everyday basics
that make a significant difference in the long
run, but we also go above tread and pressure
checks to work with the entire team that has
a hand in ensuring strong performance of
quarry tyres.
Kal Tire observes and trains operator
driving habits, performs site studies for
road conditions and delivers load studies
along with extensive monthly tyre tracking
and feedback reporting including product
evaluations. Together, all this ensures
a quarry tyre can offer its optimum
performance, last longer and reduce costs
for mining companies. ■
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Johan de Jager is the senior technical
manager at Kal Tire’s Mining Tire Group
South Africa in Midrand.
QUARRY SA | MAY/JUNE 2018 _ 33