OTR Keeps The Pressure Up

OTR is now supplying tyre pressure monitoring systems as part of its earthmover tyre management service. “The correct pressure in earthmover tyres not only improves the safety and stability of the vehicle, but gives operators a much improved return on investment.” That, says OTR’s Regional sales Manager Paul Skerritt, is a pretty obvious statement, but he goes on to say “you would be amazed at what we find on site sometimes.”

Graeme Manning, OTR’s Commercial Director, says: “Inflation pressure is one of the most important factors affecting tyre life. Fuel efficiency is greatly affected too – a tyre under-inflated by 10 per cent reduces fuel efficiency by 1.5 per cent.”

Under-inflation also decreases the tension in the casing cords and increases the tread contact area, resulting in potential casing fatigue due to increased deflection and stresses. It can lead too to uneven tread wear, due to distortion in the contact area, possible shoulder wear and higher rolling resistance, leading to heat build up and increased fuel consumption.

On the other hand, over-inflation can result in reduced grip, lower traction (due to reduced tread contact area), increased tread wear and a higher risk of damage, due to greater tension in the cords.

The pressure monitors fitted by OTR are simple to install and consist of two basic components; tyre sensors that screw on to the valve stems and a monitor fitted in the cab. The sensors transmit a coded RF signal to alert a drop in pressure and the cab monitor displays each tyre’s pressure reading and sends an audible alert if pressure drops.

Paul Skerritt maintains that customers are already reaping the benefits. He says: “We recently fitted a system to a CAT773E quarry truck and we recorded that one of the rear tyres had only 30 psi pressure and, even more worryingly, one tyre had 0psi, which would have meant the tyre running flat for the rest of the day and, possibly, failing.”