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Showing posts from November, 2022

OTR Tire Safety Tips From the Field

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OTR Tire Safety Advice From Salespeople, Field Engineers, and Technicians OTR salespeople, field service engineers, and technicians face unique challenges when selling and servicing tires—whether it’s massive equipment, complex environments, or less-than-ideal conditions. The best OTR personnel understand the importance of prioritizing safety: it helps them protect themselves from potential injury and their customers from running afoul of regulations. Training is at the foundation of safe service calls and is a proven way to teach about potential site hazards and instill good practices. Experience also plays a significant role in site safety, which is why we reached out to some of the Yokohama Off-Highway Tires America team in the field to get their best tips for staying safe while working in the field. Have the Proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Sam Kwa, OTR Technical Service Manager at Yokohama Off-Highway Tires America, says that techs should “always have the correct PPE for

Adam Mizzel, Reforestation, and Primex Tires

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Mizell Development Depends on Primex Tires for Reforestation Applications What happens to a parcel of land after its trees have been collected and processed is an often overlooked aspect of timber harvesting, however, site preparation and replanting can account for as much as a fifth of a timber harvest budget. While timber harvesting and reforestation share similar equipment, site preparation and replanting provide unique challenges, something Adam Mizell, of Mizell Development, knows all about—and is why he chooses Primex tires. Reforestation Benefits Mizell Development is a reforestation contractor working in northern Florida and southern Georgia. Reforestation projects—like those Mizell runs—help make land more sustainable and profitable . In 15 to 20 years, the trees replanted by Mizell and his crew will be ready for the pulp mill. In 30 years, the land owner will have a stand of valuable sawlogs. Studies have shown that slash and loblolly pine planted into prepared sites can gr

The Industries Adopting Solid Skid Steer Tires

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Applications that Benefit from Solid Skid Steer Tires Skid steers have built a reputation for versatility, becoming a staple in a wide range of applications spanning a multitude of industries. Whether it’s moving manure on a farm or cleaning up a demoed building in the middle of the city, this workhorse piece of equipment depends on its tires to maximize its performance and enhance its adaptability. The type of tire equipped on a skid steer will greatly influence how it performs in a particular job. Solid tires are often the first choice for skid steers tackling the toughest applications, such as those with a high chance of punctures, working on extremely abrasive surfaces, and where downtime isn’t an option. What Is a Solid Tire? Unlike traditional pneumatic tires which are filled with air, solid tires are made entirely from rubber, offering puncture-proof performance to skid steers operating in even the harshest terrain and drastically lowering the likelihood of downtime. The robust

The Pros and Cons of Extra-Deep Skid Steer Tires

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  Why Choose a Super-Deep Skid Steer Tire  Skid steer loaders (SSLs) perform a multitude of tasks in many different conditions; consequently, a wide variety of tire options are available to maximize their performance. Factors like tire construction (radial, bias, solid) and tread pattern (lug, block, button) can make a huge difference in tire performance and cost over the lifetime of the tire. Tread depth is another important characteristic to consider when choosing the best SSL tire for the job. Below is why “going deep” (on tread) is a home run for many skid steer applications.    The Pros of Extra-Deep Skid Steer Tires Tread Depth for Traction:  Whether it’s the seemingly bottomless lugs of our  Galaxy Muddy Buddy  or the extra-deep block-pattern found on our  Galaxy Hulk , a deeper tread provides a larger biting edge, which allows a skid steer tire to grip the ground better than a shallower tire. Working together with a tire’s tread pattern, deep lugs also promote self-cleanin

Stop Making the Same AG Tire Mistakes

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  Make These Common Farm Tire Mistakes a Thing of the Past  It’s not just common for people to make the same mistake over and over again, it’s science . The human brain isn’t wired to learn from errors. Rather than admitting to making a mistake, it searches for anything but itself to incriminate, then reinforces the bad behavior. This explains why we see so many farmers repeatedly making the same tire mistakes. Fortunately, it’s possible to break the cycle by looking to the future instead of dwelling on the past. Five Common Farm Tire Mistakes  Stop making these five common farm tire mistakes.  1. Not Regularly Checking Inflation Pressure  Whether your equipment is working on soil in the field or concrete in the yard, inflation pressure matters. Operating tires at the proper inflation pressure can provide a host of benefits, including improved performance and fuel efficiency, reduced soil compaction, longer service life, and less downtime.  To get the most out of your tires,  know the

Preparing Compact Tractors for Snow Removal

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  Transitioning Compact Tractors for Winter Work As autumn edges toward winter, the days get shorter, the temperatures colder, and many small acreage owners and landscapers begin to transition their compact tractors from fall cleanup to snow removal. Compact tractors are winter workhorses—thanks, in part, to their ability to operate a wide variety of attachments—and play a vital role in both professional and personal snow removal. Some simple preventative maintenance and the right tire can help maximize the performance of equipment, avoid the thin ice of downtime, and ultimately ensure compact tractor owners don’t get left out in the cold this winter. Compact Tractor Attachments for Snow Removal In advance of the snow season, make sure snow removal attachments connect to the tractor and take them for a practice run. This ensures everything works properly and provides the opportunity to fix any issues in advance of plummeting temperatures and dumping snow. Popular snow removal attachmen

Safety Tips for OTR Tire Inspections and Service Calls

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How OTR Tire Personnel Can Safely Inspect and Service Tires Selling and servicing OTR tires presents some unique risks to personnel in the field. From the massive size and weight of mining and construction equipment to the unfavorable conditions they tend to operate in—often at night and in all types of weather—OTR salespeople, field service engineers, and technicians commonly face a complex environment with numerous potential hazards. Prioritizing safety and following a few best practices when inspecting tires in the field are simple steps toward preventing mishaps and ensuring everyone returns home safe and sound at the end of the day. Tips for Inspecting OTR Tires On-Site Checking the air pressure, inspecting wear, and servicing tires on equipment in the field gives dealers a firsthand perspective on the terrain, duty cycles, and other challenges facing their customers. On-site inspections allow dealers to make well-informed tire recommendations and ultimately help their customers

Lowering Farm Fuel Expenses with Tractor Tires

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Tractor Tires Cut Farm Fuel Costs Fuel is one of the largest expenses for a farm and while farmers can’t control the cost of fuel, there are some steps they can take to reduce the amount their tractors use—such as ensuring optimal wheel slippage and proper tire inflation pressure. In addition to improving fuel efficiency, optimal wheel slippage and proper pressure can lead to other cost-saving benefits such as decreasing time in the field, reducing yield-sapping soil compaction, and minimizing wear and tear on equipment.   Just how much can you save by improving farm equipment efficiency? A bulletin from Michigan State University Extension estimates that  poor tractor performance wastes nearly 150 million gallons of fuel  each year in the U.S. Tire Slippage  Tire slippage is when the tires turn faster than the ground speed of the tractor, and excessive tire slippage increases fuel consumption. It also leads to more time in the field and causes premature engine wear. Tire slip is also o