With a commitment to stock availability and ensuring the correct tyres are fitted for the right applications, Bridgestone is a Tier One Tyre supplier to the crane industry. Steve Bekker, Regional Sales Manager, East, for Bridgestone Mining Solutions Australia explains the importance of fitting and maintaining correct cranes tyres.
Speed and load rating are key to getting the right tyre for the right application.
“Bridgestone is a premium product supported by an extensive network of after sales service outlets and agents which is working with customers who understand the value of working with a Tier One Tyre. Fitting the correct tyre for the right application is obviously important
“We’re supplying the 385/95R25 which is ideally suited for the smaller all terrains and some of the larger Franna pick and carry cranes. The 445/95R25 and the 525/80R25 are more available than ever as we have been bringing in reasonably large quantities and we are securing additional business based on the fact that we have stock on hand,” said Steve.
The 525/80R25 is the largest available mobile crane tyre from Bridgestone and this is offered in two speed load ratings, the 177 E and the 176 F. The 445/95R25, which is a smaller tyre is also available in two speed ratings. Bridgestone is currently examining the possibility of offering the G rated, 90km/h version of this tyre giving customers the ability to run at higher average speeds for a longer period of time.
Bridgestone operates 14 Mining Solution Centres around the country and each has the ability to supply and fit mobile crane tyres. Bridgestone also has strategic partnership agreements with tyre dealers and distributors around the country.
Working with and supplying tyres to Tier One Crane manufacturers is a priority said Steve.
“If a customer buys a crane featuring Bridgestone tyres it provides them with an opportunity to understand how the tyre performs, and when it comes to replacing them they are more likely to choose Bridgestone. We will be working with Liebherr and other major original equipment manufacturers (OEM) selling the concept of a Tier One Tyre not just as a better product, but also as a sales tool for the OEM.
“It’s not just a matter of making the machines look good, it’s also having the correct tyre for the best performance in the right application.
“This may well mean supporting the training of OEM sales, servicing and supply teams to ensure they are making the right tyre recommendations to their customers,” said Steve.
Bridgestone’s approach to compliance and roadability is complicated by each state operating different regulations around weight carrying capacity, footprint on the ground, navigating bridges and other infrastructure etc. Branches and partners in each state understand the local rules and regulations and provide Bridgestone with this information to ensure the appropriate tyres are fitted. It is a strategy that has worked for Liebherr, ensuring machines come with the right tyres.
Working with a Tier One Tyre supplier like Bridgestone will help reduce the total cost of ownership over the life of the tyre. Supplying tyres where there is immediate demand is also a key focus for Bridgestone.
“We focus on the total cost of ownership, and we have measures and systems in place to ensure the customer understands what is required for the tyre to perform at its best for its entire life. This includes reporting on the wear of the tyre as well as regular inspections and pressure maintenance,” Steve said.
“One of the biggest challenges is the remote nature of customer’s sites. If a tyre fails, they need the machine back operating as soon as possible and will consider putting any tyre on to get up and running again. We are working with an increasing number of partners and service providers to help supply our products and offer fitting services in a timely manner. We want to support end users by providing them spares wherever they are operating.”
Mobile crane and Off The Road (OTR), including mining and heavy industrial tyres, fit into the same category. Important wear issues for these tyres relate to weight, speed and pressure and crane operators need to understand that running at the correct pressure is critical. Too low, will mean irregular wear of the shoulders, increased pressure on certain components of the tyre can increase temperature reducing its life, or increase the total cost of ownership. Overpressure will see the centre of the tyre wear quicker. Therefore, ensuring regular pressure checks and maintenance is vital.
“Ideally customers are conducting daily visual checks on their tyres. We’re supporting a customer in the Hunter Valley by retraining their operators to conduct prestart checks on both the tyres and wheels and they are considering having ‘wheel nut indicators’ fitted to make sure any loosening of the nuts is visible immediately,” said Steve.
“The next step will be to show them how to examine the tread to see if there’s any scuffing or irregular wear, to see if there is any damage to the sidewall, or cuts that are more than superficial. We are focused on total cost of ownership and after sales support.
“We have a program called Toolbox, which is a tyre monitoring system which enables us to input data, serial numbers, tread depths and pressures and run reports by machine or by tyre. These reports can confirm the cost per millimetre, cost per hour – however the end user wants to run that data for the life of the tyre.
“We can compare this against historical data to highlight any issues or concerns before they become critical or if customers want to trial new products, we can compare different patterns and specifications.
“Tyre management is important and increasingly technical, as a Tier One Tyre supplier, Bridgestone is at the forefront of these developments.”