Quarry Operator Digs Michelin Tyres

Operating hours are on the up and tyre related breakdowns are becoming scarcer at Hills Quarry Products, and Michelin says its premium XHA and XADN tyres are the culprits behind this positive turn of events. The Hills Group division switched to Michelin products following a trial period and now uses the two types of tyre on the Volvo A25D dump trucks and Volvo L120E and L150F loading shovels in nine-strong quarry fleet.

The Michelin fitted vehicles operate at Hills’ five quarries, all located along the M4 corridor. The switch to this specification of Michelin tyres follows a trial involving a loading shovel during which tyre performance was carefully monitored through monthly tyre inspections to record wear rates and damage. “With our sites extracting more than 1,000,000 tonnes of coarse sand, gravel and soft sand with intermingled limestone, we need tyres to not only have good levels of grip when digging, but also to have a casing design that is less prone to damage,” stated Andrew Liddle, production manager for Hills Quarry Products.

“We were impressed with the performance of these Michelin tyres early in the trial,” Liddle continued. “Drivers gave us positive feedback with reports that they were benefiting from better traction on sand and other loose surfaces which resulted in increased digging performance. Key to the tyres’ performance is their wide profile which offers good flotation on light sand, while the reinforced sidewalls are capable of withstanding the tough environment in which our machines operate.”

Michelin XHA tyres are designed for loaders, graders and other equipment used in construction, stockpile and truck-loading applications. The manufacturer notes improved traction, exceptional durability and the XHA’s tread pattern as three key features that make the tyre a versatile performer in a variety of applications. Similarly, Michelin says the XADN range is engineered to be efficient, reliable and long lasting for all types of earthmoving equipment.

“We have tried other tyre brands but found they wore out quickly and were prone to punctures,” Liddle added. “In comparison, Michelin’s XHA and XADN ranges offer us long-term benefits that have seen a huge increase in the number of hours between tyre changes and less tyre damage, which is crucial to the ongoing performance of our business.”

Michelin tyres have been present in the fleet for more than eight years, supported by routine tyre inspections and servicing carried out by local dealer County Tyres. This includes pressure checks and rotating tyres between axles and machines, to ensure they enjoy the maximum possible longevity and are always in prime operating condition.