Ever think about all the different vehicles that use rubber tires? Tractors, industrial equipment, everything else that rolls on rubber?
Each specialized type of tire requires a specialized design for its specific purpose. Aircraft tires, for instance, have to be very robust and handle a great deal of weight and stress, but for only a short period of time. Aircraft tires are often filled with an inert gas such as nitrogen, for more stable inflation levels, and are designed with specialized fusible plugs which provide a safer failure mode (rather than a sudden, catastrophic tire explosion).
Off-the-road tires, for vehicles such as graders or mining equipment, operate at low speeds but have to be able to withstand severe service conditions while handling heavy loads. They’re designed with tough, thick carcasses to resist cuts, tears, gouges and punctures while still providing decent control and ride quality for the operator.
Agricultural tires are designed for good traction while not compacting soil too heavily. They feature a large footprint to disperse the weight of the vehicle, and may feature a paddle tread for tractor tires or a knobby design for turf machines such as mowers.
Industrial tires, such as for forklifts, backhoes or dock equipment, often have to encounter chemicals and other substances that can be damaging to ordinary tires. They’re tough and rugged and often come in solid, non-pneumatic designs.
Tires for heavy duty trucks and buses need to put in long hours and many miles hauling heavy loads. They’re designed to minimize dangerous heat buildup and offer good traction on wet or dry pavement. A relatively new innovation for heavy trucks is the “Super Single,” a wide single tire that replaces the dual rear wheels of older truck designs. Super Singles offer better fuel economy as well, with a weight savings of around 200 pounds per axle.
Ever think about all the different vehicles that use rubber tires? Tractors, industrial equipment, everything else that rolls on rubber? Each specialized type of tire requires a specialized design for its specific purpose. Aircraft tires, for instance, have to be very robust and handle a great deal of weight and stress, but for only a Read More
Believe it or not, many new vehicles come without a spare tire. Manufacturers have a few different reasons for that, including weight savings, space efficiency, and cost. When you’re stuck by the side of the road, though, none of that really matters much, does it? Instead, these vehicles come equipped with an inflation kit and/or Read More
There are so many tire designs on the road — all-season, high performance, touring, light truck — and even within a specific tire design, there may be several choices of tread patterns. What differentiates them, and what are the pros and cons of each tread design? — Directional tread has a pattern of grooves and Read More
Nobody ever looks forward to a flat tire, and nobody ever says “well, that was a really good time” after having one. You can at least minimize the damage to your tire and danger to yourself, though. Flats vs Blowouts If you get a blowout, you’ll know about it right away. Sometimes the tire can Read More
When it comes to your car, oil isn’t the only thing there’s a finite supply of. Rubber has its limits too, and it’s estimated by 2020, the supply of natural rubber in the world may be outstripped by demand. And of course, tires require a great deal of oil to produce as well. Tire manufacturers Read More
Tires all look sort of the same…round and black…and people tend to think tires don’t change much over the years. That’s really not true, though – engineers and designers are constantly working on advances in tire designs for more miles, better fuel economy and better performance. Here’s a rundown of current trends in tire technology Read More
Driving around on underinflated tires is just a bad idea all the way around. Underinflated tires increase a car’s rolling resistance, meaning a drop in fuel efficiency since it takes more energy to move the vehicle down the road. A single tire that’s down by ten pounds of air means a 3.3 percent drop in Read More
In a perfect world, all four tires would wear out at the same time. In the same perfect world, everyone would be able to afford a whole set of tires all at once. Unfortunately, things often just do not work out that way. Sometimes you may just have to replace tires as you can afford Read More
Your tires are a pretty big investment. Even with the cheapest set of tires, you’re going to be spending upwards of $400 on the tires, mounting, balancing, disposal fees and taxes. Since you laid down that kind of money, doesn’t it just make sense to make sure you get the most miles possible out of Read More
In a lot of parts of the country, the winters are tough enough that all-season tires just won’t get the job done. All-season tires are a compromise; they offer good year-round traction with a quiet ride, good handling and road manners. They tend to perform well in wet weather and light wintry conditions, but when Read More