When purchasing new equipment for the job site, cost-effectiveness is typically the number one concern. You want a reliable and durable product, but also one that won't break the bank. When purchasing Bobcat tires, products with lower up-front costs often seem obvious.
If you assume that quality doesn't vary significantly from product to product, it seems reasonable to go with the cheapest option. This kind of thinking often leads to the purchase of traditional air-filled Bobcat tires for skid steers. Buyers may see the higher price tag of solid Bobcat tires and figure that air-filled tires are a better value.
But how much do those cheap Bobcat tires really cost in the long run? After all, the up-front purchase price is only one small part of the cost consideration equation. You must also factor in the cost of maintaining, repairing, and replacing Bobcat tires. You should also consider that recent advances in technology have led to a wide variation in the quality of modern tires. There are now significant differences between types and brands. Though solid Bobcat tires may seem like the more expensive option up front, their cutting edge design will save you a lot of money down the line.
If you are currently using air-filled Bobcat tires for your job site's skid steers, take a few minutes to think about the actual cost.
Here are some factors that need to go into a holistic cost consideration equation
- How many hours do the air-filled Bobcat tires last on the machine? Low-quality Bobcat tires will wear out more quickly and need to be replaced more often, resulting in a higher overall tire budget. Though Bobcat tires cost less, purchasing many of them adds up.
- What is the cost of Bobcat tires when installation is factored in? Spending man-hours and resources on Bobcat tire installation is costly, especially if it needs to be done frequently.
- What is the cost to repair air-filled Bobcat tires when they go flat? One of the biggest drawbacks of air-filled Bobcat tires is that when punctured, they deflate. Every time this happens, the Bobcat tires must be removed and repaired before the machine functions again. This process can lead to big costs, as labor and downtime are required to repair. With solid Bobcat tires, there are no flats to worry about, and no associated expenses or hassles.
- How much are you spending on downtime during repairs? Consider how many hours are spent dealing with flat Bobcat tires instead of working on the project you've been hired to do. Using your job's hourly charge out rate, you can calculate the cost/hour of your tires. The cheaper the Bobcat tires, the more downtime is required, which ultimately costs you money.
Now for comparison, let's look at the average cost/hour from Evolution Wheel's solid skid steer tires, across several industries.
Industry: |
Average Cost/Hour: |
Rock Quarry |
$1.16 USD/tire |
Demolition |
$1.30 USD/tire |
Waste Transfer Station |
$1.25 USD/tire |
Dairy Farm |
$0.80 USD/tire |
General Agriculture |
$0.60 USD/tire |
The numbers speak for themselves! Buying high-quality Bobcat tires results in lower cost/hour. If you want to save money on equipment, well-designed products will ultimately yield greater returns. Though air-filled Bobcat tires cost less up front, in the long run solid Bobcat tires are well worth the investment.
Evolution Wheel provides the highest quality solid Bobcat tires in the industry. Our rugged, versatile Bobcat tires are strong enough to get the job done without sacrificing operator comfort, and the Bobcat tires' modular design keeps repair costs to a minimum. Say goodbye to the high cost of flat tires, and check out our line of products today.