Aluminum Smelter – Super Pack Transport – Western Canada
Application Type
Aluminum Smelter – Western Canada
Machine Type
Super Pack Transport (Tractor & Trailer combination, tractor axle rotates 360 degrees)
Tire Size & Type
Tractor & Trailer: 12.00R24 (8.50) Radial Tire
Site Conditions
Round trip distance up to 3 miles (5 km). Speed up to 12 mph (20 km/h). Operating 24 hrs/day. Indoor plant has cement floors; machine travels in/out narrow doors, makes tight turns. Outdoor pavement with some potholes, rail road tracks, inclines/declines, winter snow/ice and summer heat. Road hazards include scrap metal, shards of aluminum and other debris.
Tire Problem
Tires were filled with polyurethane. The radial tires they used were designed for a max. 9 mi (15 km) travel distance per hour. Typically, the machines make four trips per hour which overworks the tires. The load per tire on rear axle exceeds radial tire capacity with polyurethane fill. They experienced frequent tire failures due to overload, impact breaks that would crumble the polyurethane fill. Tires were being removed with less than 10% wear! The OEM wheels were standard duty rated 120 psi (8 bar). Overloads caused wheels to crack/destroy at an above average rate, making safety an issue, and adding to cost. Not only did they have loss of productivity but high tire costs!
Trojan Solution
Trojan introduced HD Soft Core with two tires option; Tuff Haul L3 lug bias tire (high quality tread rubber compound) and steel radial L4 lug tire – to promote long tire life. HD Soft Core at 145 psi (10 bar) provides extra load carrying capacity. Also introduced a heavy duty 4 piece Adv-EWP Wheels rated 145 psi (10 bar) maximum thicker gauge steel for improved fatigue resistance.
Success / Outcome
Both tire options are achieving tread wear out and the Soft Cores are being reused for additional savings! The all steel radial L4 tires with Soft Core gives added advantage in load capacity on the trailer axle. The smelter continues to see savings as the Soft Cores continue to be reused, a considerable savings in tire cost/spend.