As someone managing a construction company, you've learned about how critical solid tires are to your skid steer loader. However, finding quality solid skid steer tires can be a considerable expense. You may think paying more for a solid tire guarantees it will hold up for as long as you expect.
Buying quality solid skid steer tire for your loader is one of the highest investments you can make. While these cost more, think about the old concept of getting what you pay for. Here are five iron-clad reasons why you should pay more for a solid tire of high quality.
1. Rubber Compound
You'll want to find a solid tire company offering quality rubber since many compounds found on today's market have become inferior. One reason for this low quality is extreme competition in the solid skid steer tire industry. Many companies selling solid skid steer tires have outsourced manufacturing to countries such as China to find cheaper rubber compounds to reduce their costs.
Businesses that produce quality rubber for solid skid steer tires here in North America are your best bet. This is even if it ultimately forces the tire company to charge more. It's worth it because higher quality rubber will help wear life on your solid skid steer tire. It will also reduce chunking and stress cracking.
Look out for cheaper materials. Much of it is lower grade natural rubber or carbon black.
2. Wear Life
Over time, it's easy to calculate the cost of a cheaper grade solid skid steer tire. The less you pay for these lesser quality tires, the less wear life they have. Many tire companies now use premium rubber compounds to increase tire life. They're also using higher quality carbon black to increase the life span of solid skid steer tires.
Yes, you'll pay more for these tires, but consider how much the tire pays itself back with an increased ROI on your jobsite. A longer wear life means more money for your company.
3. Chunking
Over time, it's easy to calculate the cost of a cheaper grade solid skid steer tire. The less you pay for these lesser quality tires, the less wear life they have. Many tire companies now use premium rubber compounds to increase tire life. They're also using higher quality carbon black to increase the life span of solid skid steer tires.
Yes, you'll pay more for these tires, but consider how much the tire pays itself back with an increased ROI on your jobsite. A longer wear life means more money for your company.
4. Tread Depth
Did you know many tire companies reduce the size of lugs on solid skid steer tires to reduce rubber usage and cost? Doing so makes the treads more prone to fast wear. The smaller lugs can't disperse heat as well as larger lugs, which means they heat up quickly and wear faster.
When looking for a quality solid skid steer tire, make sure the lugs are taller and wider. If you notice a tire with an overly cheap price, chances are the lugs are smaller, reducing performance.
5. Operator Comfort
Have you thought about how much solid skid steer tires affect the comfort of your equipment operators? It's a lot more than you may think, and you obviously want your workers to have a smoother ride when working.
Finding a solid tire with premium rubber compounds means the compound will be designed for more give and movement. This allows for a smother ride over uneven surfaces and improved operator comfort.
To learn more about solid skid steer tires visit our Video Gallery from Evolution Wheel.
