2021 Michelin Maintenance Guide

2021 EDITION MICHELIN EARTHMOVER
USE AND
maintenance GUIDE
EARTHMOVER & INDUSTRIAL, PORT AND INTERMODAL TIRES
The information provided herein is exclusively for MICHELIN® Earthmover & Industrial,
Port and Intermodal tires. It is for informational purposes only and may not be used or
relied upon for legal or statutory action or should be construed to otherwise modify any
existing contract with you. For technical and safety reasons, a tire should never be used
beyond the limits of the technical specifications for which it has been approved and all
relevant recommendations as provided herein should be followed.
MICHELIN® tires are designed for a specific use as defined in the Michelin Technical Data
book. Any other use constitutes an abnormal use. However, in some circumstances, Michelin
may issue a waiver which will specify the conditions and the permitted operational limits for
a specific application. If a tire is to be used differently than what it is designed for, please
consult your nearest Michelin Representative for further guidance. Michelin expressly
denies any responsibility for any abnormal use of its tires or any use different from the
tire’s intended design in the absence of express written permission (derogation) from an
authorized Michelin Representative.
Further, correct usage and maintenance are necessary to achieve proper performance and
to maximize life. Therefore, it is recommended that users adhere to all safety and usage
recommendations. However, you must note that these recommendations may be subject
to more restrictive local legal and/or regulatory requirements. The compliance with such
regulations is the users’ responsibility.
Finally, unless otherwise specified, MICHELIN® off-the-road, industrial, and compact tires
comply with internationally accepted standards that are established by TRA (Tire and
Rim Association), ETRTO (European Tire and Rim Technical Organisation), JATMA (Japan
Automobile Tire Manufacturers Association), and/or ISO (International Standards
Organisation). Among other things, the standards encompass load capacity, inflation
pressure, overall diameter, overall width, and related valves and rims. Some minor differences
may exist between these standards.
SPECIFIC APPLICATIONS
Please note that tires for mechanical handling equipment used in areas where there is a high
risk of fire or explosion, such as the chemical and petrochemical industries, must meet certain
standards concerning their electrical resistivity. When the electrical resistance measured
according to ISO 16292 or WDK 110 standards is lower than 106 Ohms, then the tire is called
‘dissipative’ and its sidewall features the following symbol.
PERFORMANCE
Any and all tire performance claims or comparisons contained herein are for informational
purposes only to aid in the selection of a tire and do not constitute any form of performance
guarantee or warranty. Individual results may vary. Such information may not be used as a
basis for any performance guarantee or warranty claim.
Following publication, the information herein is subject to change at Michelin’s sole discretion.
Throughout the world, whatever types of machine
are used (from forklift trucks to trucks weighing
more than 600 tons), our customers all have the same
ongoing concerns:
• to increase their productivity and reduce their operating

costs while ensuring optimum protection of the environment;
• to maintain, and even improve, the safety level of sites−first

and foremost for people, but also for equipment.
Tires have a major influence on these issues. Their impact on

the operating costs and productivity of machines is widely analyzed.
However, there is still not enough known about the specific problems
involved with using tires and the expertise needed to ensure customers
get the best out of their tires while protecting the environment.
What precautions should be taken and what tools should be used when
mounting tires that sometimes weigh several tons and are inflated to
high pressures? What are the possibilities for repairing these pieces of
equipment? How should the place where they are maintained be physically
organized? What are the recommendations for making your selection from
the huge number of products and accessories that are available on the market?
Michelin has devised and is distributing this Use and Maintenance Guide to
provide answers to these and many other questions.
In it, you will find all the recommended practices for correct use and effective
monitoring of your tires. They will help you maximize the potential of your tires in
a safe manner. Safety is covered in every chapter by providing recommendations
to mitigate associated risks. This guide is written for you, so please do not hesitate
to let us know your suggestions for improvements and additional information that
should be included.
Thanks to the high quality of its products and the excellence of its teams, Michelin is
recognized worldwide as providing the users of earthmover tires with the
best offer in terms of tire productivity.
This is why, in line with its values of respect for people, the environment
and its customers, Michelin wants to share the benefits of the experience
it has acquired over the years, which is constantly being updated as
its products change and the earthmover industry advances.
C O N T E N T S
1 Introduction to safety 1
INTRODUCTION.................................................................................... 2
FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS!...................................................................... 3
QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD ALWAYS ASK YOURSELF............................... 4
BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING - FIND OUT ABOUT IT!................................ 5
CAUTION, DANGEROUS SITUATIONS!..................................................... 8
2 General information on michelin ® earthmover tires 9

INTRODUCTION...................................................................................10
COMPARING TIRE CONSTRUCTION........................................................11
CLASSIFICATION OF TIRES................................................................... 13
TIRE MARKINGS................................................................................... 15
3 Handling and storing tires 19

INTRODUCTION.................................................................................. 20
HANDLING TIRES: ESSENTIAL PRECAUTIONS TO ENSURE
THE INTEGRITY OF TIRES..................................................................... 21
STORING TIRES: ESSENTIAL PRECAUTIONS TO PROTECT TIRES........... 23
4 Tire fires and their prevention 27

INTRODUCTION.................................................................................. 28
TYPES OF FIRE TO WHICH A TIRE MAY BE SUBJECTED........................ 29
IGNITION OF AN UNMOUNTED TIRE.................................................... 30
PUTTING OUT A TIRE FIRE.................................................................... 31
PREVENTION AND TRAINING.............................................................. 32
HOW TO REDUCE THE RISKS OF TIRE FIRES DURING OPERATION........ 33
5 Tire maintenance workshop 35

INTRODUCTION.................................................................................. 36
ORGANIZATION OF THE WORKSHOP................................................... 37
SAFETY INFORMATION....................................................................... 38
6 Mounting and demounting 39

INTRODUCTION.................................................................................. 40
GENERAL PRECAUTIONS AND OPERATOR SAFETY............................... 41
MOUNTING OPERATIONS.................................................................... 43
DEMOUNTING OPERATIONS................................................................ 45
STEPS IN THE MOUNTING AND DEMOUNTING PROCESSES................. 46
7 Duals usage 47
INTRODUCTION.................................................................................. 48
RULES FOR DUAL TIRE USAGE: MOUNT TIRES THAT ARE
AS SIMILAR AS POSSIBLE................................................................... 49
CONDITIONS FOR DUAL TIRE USAGE: STRICT COMPLIANCE
WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS......................................................... 49
REGULAR INSPECTION OF DUAL TIRE.................................................. 50
FITMENTS IS ESSENTIAL!.................................................................... 50
HOW TO LIMIT UNEVEN WEAR............................................................ 51
SPECIFIC PROCEDURES FOR DEMOUNTING DUAL TIRES..................... 52
8 Inflation and checking tire pressures 53

INTRODUCTION.................................................................................. 54
INFLATION PRESSURE: AN ESSENTIAL PARAMETER........................... 55
OPTIMIZE THE PRESSURE ACCORDING TO THE OPERATING................. 57
INFLATION: AIR OR NITROGEN?.......................................................... 60
INFLATION ADDITIVES........................................................................ 62
9 Inserts and solid fills 63

INTRODUCTION.................................................................................. 64
GENERAL USAGE CHARACTERISTICS................................................... 65
RUBBER INSERTS............................................................................... 65
SOLID POLYURETHANE ELASTOMER FILLS......................................... 66
SOLID FILLS AND INSERTS: ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES......... 67
MICHELIN’S POSITION ON THE USE OF SOLID FILLS
OR INSERTS IN MICHELIN ® TIRES........................................................ 68
10 Factors influencing the service life of tires 69
INTRODUCTION.................................................................................. 70
CHOOSING A TIRE INVOLVES MAKING A DECISION BASED
ON EXPECTED PERFORMANCE AND ACTUAL CONDITIONS OF USE....... 71
MAIN CAUSES OF TIRE DAMAGE.......................................................... 72
INTERNAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE................................................74
INFLUENCE OF THE VEHICLE ON THE SERVICE LIFE OF ITS TIRES........ 76
INFLUENCE OF THE SITE ROADS, KEY FACTORS FOR TIRE SERVICE LIFE.... 79
FACTORS INFLUENCING THE SERVICE LIFE OF TIRES........................... 80
11 Machine inspection 81
INTRODUCTION.................................................................................. 82
ALIGNMENT........................................................................................ 83
SUSPENSION...................................................................................... 84
12 Inspecting tires on vehicles 89

INTRODUCTION.................................................................................. 90
PRELIMINARY PRECAUTIONS............................................................... 91
PROCEDURE....................................................................................... 92
POINTS TO CHECK.............................................................................. 94
13 Inspecting demounted tires 97

INTRODUCTION.................................................................................. 98
FULL ASSESSMENT AND ACTION TO BE TAKEN................................... 99
TIRE INSPECTION TOOLS AND PROCEDURE.......................................100
14 Repairing tires 103

INTRODUCTION.................................................................................104
ORGANIZATION OF THE REPAIR WORKSHOP......................................105
REPAIR METHODS.............................................................................106
15 Regrooving 111
INTRODUCTION..................................................................................112
REGROOVING AND SIPING...................................................................113
GENERAL PRINCIPLES........................................................................114
REGROOVING AND SIPING GUIDELINES...............................................115
16 Retreading tires 119

INTRODUCTION.................................................................................120
RETREADING, A COMPLEX INDUSTRIAL PROCESS...............................121
ORGANIZATION OF THE WORKSHOP...................................................121
UNCURED RUBBER OR PRE-MOLDED TREADS…
THE DIFFERENCE IS IN THE BUILDING AND CURING!.......................... 122
RETREADABILITY CONDITIONS.......................................................... 123
CURING, AN IMPORTANT STAGE IN RETREADING................................ 124
PERFORMANCE AND ECONOMIC BENEFIT......................................... 125
STAGES IN THE RETREADING PROCESS.............................................. 126
17 Removal recovery due to wear/used tires 129

INTRODUCTION.................................................................................130
REMOVAL DUE TO WEAR AND RECOVERY OF USED TIRES...................131
18 Machines and their uses 133

MACHINE CONFIGURATIONS.............................................................. 135
MACHINES FOR OPEN-PIT MINES AND QUARRIES.............................. 136
MACHINES FOR EARTHWORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE SITES............ 139
MACHINES SPECIFICALLY FOR ROAD CONSTRUCTION........................144
MOBILE CRANES................................................................................ 146
MACHINES FOR UNDERGROUND MINES............................................148
HANDLING MACHINES.......................................................................150
SPECIAL MACHINES........................................................................... 157
19 Glossary 159
20 Notes 165
1
Introduction
to safety
2 Introduction
3 Follow instructions!
4 Questions you should always

ask yourself
5 Before you do anything–

find out about it!
8 Caution, dangerous situations!
Introduction to safety 1
SAFETY
a frame of mind, a constant
and very important concern.
Safety is paramount!
And this is why we want
to make readers aware of
the risks connected with working
with earthmover tires.
This chapter is devoted entirely to safety

and is designed to be used as a handy reference.
Safety must become a frame of mind,

wherever you are—in storage areas,
on work sites, at ports, in quarries
or in mines.
The safety rules apply for work around all tires,
whatever their size.
These rules must always go hand in hand
with compliance with national regulations.
An exploding tire can cause physical, occasionally even fatal, injuries

up to several dozen meters away from the explosion point!
The example of the mining tire, which can be more than 4.4 yards (4 mètres)
high and weigh over 5.5 U.S. tons (5 tonnes), with an internal volume close to
2,600 u.s. gal (10.000 litres), illustrates the magnitude of the potential danger.
2
Follow
instructions!
There are instructions everywhere, and you must find out what they are before carrying out any work.
Specific safety recommendations are given in each chapter of this Use and Maintenance Guide.
Make your presence known
Entry to a site is generally controlled.

You often need:
• prior authorization;
• ID badge.
Identification is mandatory Go to the entrance of the site

before entering any site and acquaint yourself
with the safety instructions
Always find out what

DANGER you need to know
BLASTING Knowledge of the current rules is essential to:
AHEAD make a point of reading the instructions for driving

•
and working on-site;
• make sure you know about any specific safety rules
Pay attention to the information signs about mine blasting (for example, blasting times and locations).
Caution: These rules may be modified if the operating
conditions change.
Wear the right equipment

It is strongly advisable to wear
a hard hat, protective glasses,
safety shoes, gloves and a high-
visibility vest (or reflective jacket).
The use of such equipment is

generally detailed in the internal
regulations of the site.
Immobilization lock
A vehicle immobilization lock may be necessary to render

equipment inoperative when you want to examine the tires.
Examples of personal protection equipment
This procedure is often used in larger-size quarries and
routinely used in mines.
Questions
you should always ask yourself
> Is the situation dangerous?

> Is the use of the equipment potentially dangerous?
> What actions are dangerous or even prohibited?
> Are the working procedures known?
Sloped work area…danger!
To keep safety at the forefront of your mind on a site using earthmover tires, you must constantly answer the following
questions:
Is the situation dangerous? What actions are dangerous or

even prohibited?
Does it involve risks of falling, tipping over or crushing,
etc?
Are the work methods dangerous?
How can these risks be prevented?
What actions present a risk?
Are the areas clean and tidy?
Example of an operation that is strictly prohibited:
Untidiness and dirtiness increase the risk
Carrying out welding on a wheel without
of accidents. Floors that are slippery or demounting the tire!
cluttered with tools or equipment increase
the likelihood of falls.
Is the use of the equipment Are the working procedures

potentially dangerous? known?
Working safely around tires requires compliance with
clearly defined procedures.
The operation of some machines is hazardous.
Are the operators qualified to use them? Example: mounting and demounting, inflation, etc.
Do the machines emit warning signals when moving?
Example: Handling equipment is required for mounting
tires. Are the areas in which they move unobstructed?
Do they emit warning signals when moving?
Clean the work area Unobstructed areas are required for handling equipment
4 Introduction to safety
Before you do anything–
find out about it!
Before doing anything on a work site, a mine or any other site, it is essential to know the answers to the following questions.
In most cases, the answers are provided when information is given prior to authorization to drive on-site. Some mines require
a security training of several days.
Which safety rules are applicable to the site?

See also the chapter entitled "General information on Earthmover tires," which covers this subject.
If there are no rules (this is rare), comply with those given in this chapter.
What are the rules What are the hazardous

regarding driving on-site? situations?
Does the vehicle used need to have mandatory equipment Are there places where it is temporarily or permanently
fitted in order to drive on-site? dangerous to drive (tracks undergoing maintenance,
What are the rules regarding signaling (priority, overtaking, movement of heavy equipment, etc.)?
speed limits, etc.)?
Always drive with your headlights on in a mine or quarry
What is the timetable

for mine blasting?
Blasting is carried out regularly at set dates and times.
On arrival at a mine or
quarry, always find out
about the preliminary
alert and evacuation
procedures for the
blasting area.
Mine blasting Pay attention to the signs
Under what conditions
can you approach
vehicles?
All equipment presents risks, which increase as the size

of the equipment increases.
The immediate area around a vehicle is always dangerous:
• driver's visibility is limited in the area close to their
equipment: the larger the equipment, then the larger this
area;
• for loaded transport equipment, there is a risk of material
falling from the dump body at any time and, in particular,
when starting.
The immediate area around equipment is dangerous
When you have to approach a vehicle:

• ask the driver for authorization to do so and wait for comfirmation;
• keep to the safe areas;
• indicate your movements.
Notes
Caution,
dangerous situations!
1 2
4 5
SPOT THE DANGEROUS SITUATIONS
1 In front of a tire that is falling over.

2 Facing the sidewall during inflation.
3 Tools scattered over the work area.
4 Risk of material falling off when the truck starts.
5 Operator off-balance, risk of falling.
6 Risk of material falling off during transport.
2
General
information
on earthmover
tires
10 Introduction
11 Comparing tire construction
13 Classification of tires
15 Tire markings
General information on earthmover tires 9

MICHELIN®
EARTHMOVER
TIRES
high-tech products
Machines that use earthmover tires are involved
in most economic activities.
The machines are frequently used in difficult

or even extreme conditions. Mines, ports,
infrastructures, industry—these are all demanding
environments which can really put tires to the test!
In response, Michelin is committed to developing

ranges of tires that are suitable for each type
of machine and use.
These tires are continuously being updated to take into

account developments in machines and their uses.
Reading the markings on the sidewalls of tires
(all brands) gives you full information about them
(construction, size, use, load index, speed symbol, etc.).
10
Comparing
tire construction
The solid tire
Composition
Several types of rubber with different properties are layered one on top of
the other to provide adhesion and traction. So these are not really “pneumatic”
tires as they do not contain any air!
Specific use
Mainly used for forklift trucks.
Limitations when used intensively
Significant buildup of heat in the rubber, risk of damage when driven over
obstacles. The solid tire may then “break.”
Solid tire
The conventional or “bias-ply” tire

Composition
• This is made of nylon or rayon fabric plies criss-crossed over one another and
bonded together with rubber to form a diagonal structure.
• The higher the required load capacity, the greater the number of plies.
Limitations when used
• Friction between the plies leads to a buildup of heat which can adversely affect the
tire’s performance. The strong link between the sidewalls and the crown causes the
contact patch to be deformed, resulting in poorer adhesion and accelerated wear.
• The tread of a conventional tire is sensitive to punctures.
Conventional tire
The Radial tire: numerous advantages

Composition
This combines metal (or fabric plies) extending from one bead to the other,
with a belt made of several steel plies designed to reinforce the crown of the tire.
A unique construction with numerous advantages
• The sidewalls and crown work independently:
- minimizes the deformation of the contact patch and the weight of the tire;
- improves adhesion and traction while slowing down the rate of wear;
- the metal casing increases the load capacity as it can take higher inflation
pressures.
• The flexibility of the sidewalls of a Radial tire therefore provides greater comfort.
• The radial band provides better resistance to damage and punctures.
Tire performance levels that transform machine performance
Michelin invented the radial design and is an expert in this field. Radial tires
significantly improve the productivity of earthmover machines. Productivity requires
a constant trade-off between the following factors: load, speed, operational
efficiency of the machines, tire service life, operator safety, etc.
Companies which try MICHELIN® Radial tires very rarely go back to conventional
tires, because it is so difficult to give up these advantages.
Radial construction separates the work
of the crown from that of the sidewalls
Using a Radial tire also improves fuel economy and reduces

the environmental footprint.

The tubeless tire: remarkable properties
Composition
The tubeless Radial tire is mounted with no inner tube, with a special rim equipped with an appropriate valve.
From the outside, this tire looks the same as a tube-type tire, and its radial construction is identical.
A layer of special rubber (butyl) is incorporated inside the tire to make it airtight. In certain cases, to be determined with
your Michelin Representative, a tubeless tire can be mounted with a tube on a tube-type rim.
Numerous advantages
• Reduced chance of sudden deflations: slow deflation gives the driver time to get to the maintenance workshop for repair
• Easier to mount (no inner tube)
• Lighter weight rim + tire assembly
12 General information on earthmover tires

Classification
of tires
According to their aspect ratio
The wide diversity of earthmover machines and their uses requires the development of numerous ranges of tires.
Earthmover tires differ from those mounted on cars or commercial vehicles by:
• their size and weight;
• their tread depths are proportionally greater;
• more reinforcements to deal with the harsher conditions of use.
There are several families of earthmover tires, characterized by their aspect ratio H/S (ratio between the height of the sidewall
H and the section width of the tire S).
100 series
80 series
(standard)
The H/S ratio is The H/S ratio is

approximately equal to 1. approximately equal to 0.80.
1 0,80
H = 100 % H = 80 %
S S
The section width is expressed in inches and hundredth The section width is expressed in:
of inches. - Inches and fractions of inches
Examples: 5.00 R 8, 18.00 R 33 Examples: 8.25 R 15, 20.5 R 25
Tires for rigid trucks, handling equipment, etc.
- Whole number of inches, followed by the number 80
Example: 59/80 R 63
Tires for rigid trucks, articulated dumpers, loaders,
65 series handling equipment, etc.
The H/S ratio is

approximately equal to 0.65. 90 series
0,65 The H/S ratio is

approximately equal to 0.90.
H = 65 %
S 0,90
The section width is expressed as a whole number of inches or
a whole number of millimeters, followed by the number 65.
Examples: 35/65 R 33, 750/65 R 25
H = 90 %
Tires for large loaders, articulated trucks, etc. S
The section width is expressed as a whole number of inches
followed by the number 90.
Example: 50/90 R 57
Tires for rigid trucks
Other series of tires are also available: 95 series, 75 series, etc.

According to the standardized usage codes (ISO-ETRTO-TRA-JATMA)#
The four main categories of earthmover tire are defined by their use. The category to which it belongs is indicated on
the sidewall of the tire.
This is an international classification:
CCompactor # ISO : International Standard Organisation

ETRTO : European Tire and Rim Technical Organisation
G Grader
TRA : Tire and Rim Association
E Earthmoving JATMA : Japan Automobile Tire Manufactureurs Association
L Loader and bulldozer
As well as the load capacity, this letter indicates the conditions of use and, in particular, the cyclical aspect of the load/speed
conditions.
Thus for letter E, Transport, the machine transports a load from point A to point B and returns empty to point A.
Self-propelled crane fitted with MICHELIN® X-CRANE tire
Choosing the tread pattern of a tire according to the intended

conditions of use
Within these categories, there are different tread depths 1 Ribbed (normal tread depth)
and special tread patterns for very specific uses.
2 Traction (normal tread depth)
These are identified by a number.
3 Normal (normal tread depth)
They must be chosen according to the expected type
4 Deep (deep tread)
of ground and the tire’s probable conditions of use.
5 Very deep (very deep tread
The letter “S” indicates a smooth tread. 7 Flotation (normal tread)
Example: L-5S.

Tire markings
Load index and speed symbol

The same tire size may be used on different machines which require load capacities and speed symbols directly associated
with their specific uses.
This is why tires have information on their load capacity Other possible markings
and speed symbol on their sidewalls: Tires approved in accordance with current regulations can
• either a load index/speed symbol; also have additional markings.
• or one or more stars; Example: R54 or DOT marking
• or both types of marking together.
For a category of use, the number of stars corresponds to
a standardized load capacity. The greater the number of
stars, the higher the load capacity.
For a given size, the load capacity is given by combining
the number of stars with the letter indicating the use
(C, E, L, G).
Examples:
- 26.5 R 25 L3 * = load capacity: 33,070 lb (15.000 kg) – low
speed loader type use.
- 26.5 R 25 L3 ** = load capacity: 40,786 lb (18.500 kg) – low
speed loader type use.
X-Crane marking
Bead area (wheel attachment) architectures

Special case of bias tires The majority of earthmover tires belong to the “5-degree
For these tires, the information on the load capacity is given drop center” family of tires.
by the letters PR followed by a number: The rim diameter is given as a whole number.
• PR means Ply Rating;
•
The number refers to the number of fabric plies Examples: 23.5 R 25, 27.00 R 49, etc.
incorporated in the construction of the tire. Increasing the
number of plies enables the tire to be inflated to a higher
pressure and thus gives it a higher load capacity.
If a bias tire is replaced by a Radial tire, the choice can be

made:
5° rim
• either by referring to the characteristics of the machine;
• or based on the PR number marked on the sidewall of the Some tires are similar to truck tires and belong to the
diagonal tire. Michelin technicians can help you interpret “15-degree tapered seat” family of tires.
the compatibility tables that are available. The rim diameter is given as half of a decimal number.
Example : 310/80 R 22.5
15° rim

Load index (LI) and speed symbol (SS) tables
The load index (LI) is a numerical code associated with the maximum load that a tire can carry at the speed indicated by
its speed symbol, under specified conditions of use.
maximum load maximum load maximum load maximum load maximum load
LI LI LI LI LI
kg lb kg lb kg lb kg lb kg lb
120 1 400 3 090 150 3 350 7 390 180 8 000 17 640 210 19 000 41 890 240 45 000 99 210
121 1 450 3 200 151 3 450 7 610 181 8 250 18 190 211 19 500 43 000 241 46 250 101 960
122 1 500 3 310 152 3 550 7 830 182 8 500 18 740 212 20 000 44 100 242 47 500 104 720
123 1 550 3 420 153 3 650 8 050 183 8 750 19 290 213 20 600 45 420 243 48 750 107 470
124 1 600 3 530 154 3 750 8 270 184 9 000 19 840 214 21 200 46 750 244 50 000 110 250
125 1 650 3 640 155 3 875 8 540 185 9 250 20 390 215 21 800 48 070 245 51 500 113 540
126 1 700 3 750 156 4 000 8 820 186 9 500 20 940 216 22 400 49 390 246 53 000 117 950
127 1 750 3 860 157 4 125 9 090 187 9 750 21 500 217 23 000 50 700 247 54 500 120 150
128 1 800 3 970 158 4 250 9 370 188 10 000 22 050 218 23 600 52 040 248 56 000 123 480
129 1 850 4 080 159 4 375 9 650 189 10 300 22 710 219 24 300 53 580 249 58 000 127 890
130 1 900 4 190 160 4 500 9 920 190 10 600 23 370 220 25 000 55 120 250 60 000 132 300
131 1 950 4 300 161 4 625 10 200 191 10 900 24 030 221 25 750 56 780 251 61 500 135 580
132 2 000 4 410 162 4 750 10 470 192 11 200 24 690 222 26 500 58 430 252 63 000 138 890
133 2 060 4 540 163 4 875 10 750 193 11 500 25 360 223 27 250 60 070 253 65 000 143 300
134 2 120 4 670 164 5 000 11 020 194 11 800 26 020 224 28 000 61 740 254 67 000 147 710
135 2 180 4 810 165 5 150 11 350 195 12 150 26 790 225 29 000 63 940 255 69 000 152 120
136 2 240 4 940 166 5 300 11 690 196 12 500 27 560 226 30 000 66 150 256 71 000 156 530
137 2 300 5 070 167 5 450 12 020 197 12 850 28 330 227 30 750 67 790 257 73 000 160 930
138 2 360 5 200 168 5 600 12 350 198 13 200 29 100 228 31 500 69 460 258 75 000 165 340
139 2 430 5 360 169 5 800 12 790 199 13 600 29 990 229 32 500 71 660 259 77 500 170 660
140 2 500 5 510 170 6 000 13 230 200 14 000 30 870 230 33 500 73 870 260 80 000 176 400
141 2 575 5 680 171 6 150 13 560 201 14 500 31 970 231 34 500 76 070 261 82 500 181 880
142 2 650 5 840 172 6 300 13 890 202 15 000 33 070 232 35 500 78 280 262 85 000 187 390
143 2 725 6 010 173 6 500 14 330 203 15 500 34 180 233 36 500 80 480 263 87 500 192 900
144 2 800 6 170 174 6 700 14 770 204 16 000 35 280 234 37 500 82 690 264 90 000 198 450
145 2 900 6 390 175 6 900 15 210 205 16 500 36 380 235 38 750 85 430 265 92 500 203 920
146 3 000 6 610 176 7 100 15 650 206 17 000 37 480 236 40 000 88 200 266 95 000 209 440
147 3 075 6 780 177 7 300 16 090 207 17 500 38 590 237 41 250 90 940 267 97 500 214 950
148 3 150 6 950 178 7 500 16 530 208 18 000 39 690 238 42 500 93 710 268 100 000 220 500
149 3 250 7 170 179 7 750 17 090 209 18 500 40 790 239 43 750 96 470 269 103 000 227 370
(LI: Load Index)
The speed symbol indicates the maximum speed at which a tire can carry a load corresponding to its load index.
Code A2 A3 A4 A5 A6 A8 B C D E F G
speed (km/h) 10 15 20 25 30 40 50 60 65 70 80 90
speed (mph) 6 9 12 15 19 25 31 37 40 43 50 56
Example of LI/SS(#) markings

445/95 R 25 TL 174F 23.5 R 25 TL 185B CYCLIC
Maximum load 14,771 lb (174) for a speed of 50 mph (F), Maximum load 20,390 lb (185) for a speed of 31 mph (B),
(6.700 kg (174) for 80 km/h (F)). (9.250 kg (185) for 50 km/h (B)).
This load can be constant for the whole of the time the tire The term CYCLIC indicates that the tires must be used with a
is in use. load similar or equal to the load corresponding to the load
index for half of the cycle and with a much lower load for
the other half.
# LI : Load Index, SS : Speed Symbol

Read the sidewall of a tire to find out everything about it!
35/65 R33 MICHELIN®

X MINE® D2
tire
4
2
3 5 1 Nominal section width of the tire (in inches): 35
6
1
7
2 Tire series: aspect ratio = 0.65
8 3 Radial construction: R
9
10 4 Recommended wheel diameter (in inches): 33
5 Load index of the tire: **
6 Type of use: loader (L) with deep tread (5)
11
7 Radial tire
8 Tire for loader
9 Tubeless tire
10 Manufacturer: MICHELIN
11 Tread pattern: X MINE® D2
40.00 R 57
280/75 R 22.5 Michelin® MICHELIN®
X TERMINAL T ® TL 168 A8 XDR® 3 E4R TL **
tire tire
13 14 15
12
- Radial construction - Radial construction

- Nominal section width of the tire (in mm): 280 - Nominal section width of the tire (in inches): 40
- Tire series: aspect ratio = 0.75 - Inner diameter of the rim (in inches): 57
- Inner diameter of the rim (in inches): 22.5 - Tubeless
- Tubeless - Brand: MICHELIN®
- Brand: MICHELIN® - Tread pattern: XDR® 3
- Tread pattern: X TERMINAL T® - Identification code: E4
(transport, “deep” tread)
12 Maximum speed = 25 mph (40 km/h)
- Load capacity: **
13 CYCLIC
14 - Load index of the tire: 168
- Reference speed symbol of the tire: A8
15 Antistatic tire

3
Handling
and storing
tires
20 Introduction
21 Handling tires:
essential precautions to ensure
the integrity of tires
23 Storing tires:
essential precautions
to protect tires
Handling and storing tires 19

HANDLING
AND STORAGE
Handling and storing earthmover tires

has nothing to do with luck.
Earthmover tires come in a wide range

of sizes and weights, including extreme
sizes, which determine how they should
be handled.
The right handling methods must be used for these

tires to ensure they maintain their performance levels.
It is generally necessary to use special equipment.
Storage demands the same rigorous approach.

Proper organization and appropriate precautions
are essential to ensure the integrity of the tires,
in particular when faced with harsh climatic conditions.
A tire that is protected will last a long time and remain safe.
Safety, a long service life and energy efficiency are key values
for Michelin. Important recommendations regarding these
three aspects associated with the life of the tire are given
in this chapter.
20
Handling tires:
essential precautions to ensure
the integrity of tires
Precisely defined methods must be used when handling tires.
Failure to use these methods may cause irreparable damage to tires and may
even be dangerous.
The bead is a sensitive part of the tire, and if it is damaged during handling
operations, this may lead to premature scrapping of the tire.
To limit the risks:
• tires should preferably be handled using the appropriate equipment for this
type of work: forklift truck, mechanical loader or crane equipped with a tire
handler or textile straps;
• lift the tire by the tread.
Caution!
Holding the tire too tightly or picking it up by
Holding the tire too tightly may distort it the bead may permanently distort it and prevent
its being mounted on the rim.
If there is no other option than to lift and handle the tire by the beads, the following must be used:
• preferably wide textile straps (do not use metal slings or chains as these may damage the beads);
• or, if need be, a forklift truck equipped with a large-diameter boom attachment (fitted in place of the fork).
In this case, care must be taken not to damage the sidewalls!
Incorrect handling may cause irreparable damage

Loader with tire handler
Positioning with straps
22 Handling and storing tires

Storing tires:
essential precautions
to protect tires
The rubber used for tires is subject to natural aging.
To prevent storage shortening the lifetime of tires, they
must be stored under specific conditions and for a limited
length of time.
Adhere to the storage rules
Indoor and outdoor storage: different rules.
Indoor storage is preferable.

- Moisture, high temperatures (also significant variations in - The storage area must be large enough for the handling
temperature) and light are all factors that speed up the equipment to be able to move around without any risk
aging of the rubber. These are increased in areas with of rubbing against the tires or hitting them.
high levels of sunlight and/or exposed to frequent storms
(presence of ozone).
Tires must be stored in dry, enclosed buildings.
Outdoor storage is possible under certain conditions:

• recommend limiting storage period outdoors to 4 months;
• ground clean and well-drained, and with no rough areas
that could damage the tires. Avoid grassy or muddy areas;
• do not store close to powdery materials, combustible
products or pollutants (oil, grease, hydrocarbons, etc.);
• store tires away from electrical welding units, battery
chargers and generally any source of ozone production
(power plant, transformers, etc.);
• cover the tires with opaque sheets, as long as they are
well-ventilated to prevent any condensation. Semi-outdoor storage
Always use caution to ensure there are

no potentially harmful animals (snakes,
insects, etc.) when inspecting tires that
are stored in the open air.
Outdoor storage

Tire storage methods:
different methods for different tire sizes.
Vertical Sloping Alternating Horizontal

Tire
cross-section upper row: sloping
on tread on one shoulder on sidewall
lower row: vertical
< 355 mm
yes yes yes ≤ 2.2 yd* (2 m)
(14")
355 < tire ≤ 680 mm yes
yes yes ≤ 4.2 yd* (3,8 m)
(14" to 27") < 35" seat
> 680 mm
yes NO NO ≤ 4.2 yd* (3,8 m)
(27")
* Risk of difficulty to inflate in case of prolonged storage (more than 1 month); use the tires FIFO (First In, First Out)
Vertical storage Sloping storage Alternating storage Horizontal storage
Tires mounted on rims must be stored at a maximum pressure of approximately 29 PSI (2 bar, 200 kpa).
Storage methods for associated products:

inner tubes, flaps and O-rings
- Inner tubes must be stored in their original packaging so - O-rings, when supplied with the tires (in sealed plastic
that they are not exposed to light. bags), must be removed from the tires during storage.
Store them away from the light. Protect them from any
- Flaps must be stored flat on shelves, protected from dust,
risk of being crushed or distorted, which could damage the
moisture and grease-based pollution.
airtightness of the tire when mounting on the rim.
Never hang up flaps.

For O-rings, use a large-diameter circular rack to hang, which can minimize the stress on a
particular section.
24 Handling and storing tires

Indoor storage conditions:
essential fire safety rules
Tires are combustible, and are therefore subject to regulations concerning their storage and protection against
fire risks.
Strict compliance with the current regulations in the country, or even the locality, in which
tires are stored is essential.
Storage precautions according to the fire extinguishing equipment

Tires must be stored in areas with a maximum surface area of 500 m2 (0.12 acre). The maximum «stack height» for
tires to be used must take into account the site’s fire extinguishing equipment capabilities. Any tire storage area
must be at least 20 m (22 yd) distance from the closest building.
Fire-fighting equipment Evacuation instructions

- Minimum equipment consists of one extinguisher every - The building evacuation instructions must be clearly
27 yd for 0.05 acre (25 meters for 220 m2). Ensure that it is displayed.
accessible. - It is also recommended that regular fire drills are
- For larger surface areas, fire hose cabinets should be carried out.
installed.
- For very large areas, sprinkling equipment with
automatic detection is recommended or even
mandatory.
- The extinguishing products used must not be
harmful to rubber, to avoid any damage in the event
of accidental activation of the sprinkler system.
The best extinguishing agent is still water.
"Safety" information in the workplace Safety label

To inform everyone and raise their awareness of All earthmover tires carry a label listing the basic
safety with respect to tires, Michelin provides "Safety" precautions. This is attached to the tread (in the
communication kits. United States) or on the sidewall (in all other countries).
They consist, for example, of an informative wall chart
and a safety booklet. These kits are available on request
from Michelin technicians.

4
Tire fires
and
their prevention
28 Introduction
29 Types of fire
to which a tire may be subjected
30 Ignition of an unmounted tire
31 Putting out a tire fire
32 Prevention and training
33 How to reduce the risks of tire fires

during operation
Tire fires and their prevention 27

TIRE FIRES
AND THEIR
PREVENTION
Due to the nature of their components,

tires are officially classified at
"combustible products."
Their combustion parameters are similar

to those of coal.
There are various types of tire fires, some of

which are very difficult to detect, for example
internal fires.
The smoke is potentially toxic.
Information:
• A tire may catch fire for various reasons,
while in storage or during use.
• A tire fire may also be triggered by an external
energy source, whether this is natural (lightning)
or due to other circumstances (electric arcs), and may
even be the consequence of a human action.
PREVENTION AND TRAINING: two essential actions

A tire fire is difficult to put out.
A tire may even burst up to eight hours after the fire.
The relevant instructions and procedures must therefore be followed
to the letter.
"GOOD PRACTICES"
The last page of this chapter gives a summary of the guidelines for reducing the risks of
fire for tires during use.
28
Types of fire
to which a tire may be subjected
Surface fire
Combustion on the surface of the tread or the sidewalls
caused by an external heat source.
A tire fire gives off a great deal ...and takes a long time to put out. Internal fire
of smoke...
Combustion of the internal rubber as a result of excessive

overheating of the tire during use. The fire is then
undetectable.
Accumulation of flammable gases (hydrocarbons and
carbon monoxide) resulting from incomplete combustion
can lead to a risk of explosion.
More than 3000 liters of water is Fire caused by brake overheating

Spontaneous ignition
needed to extinguish one ton of tires
Combustion occurring when the tire is in contact with,
or in the immediate vicinity of, a high-temperature
heat source.
External energy sources: lightning and electric arcs

Lightning: may strike any vehicle when parked or in use.
Electric arcs: avoid passing below high-voltage lines and do not drive over electric lines on the ground.
Lightning and electric arcs affect all tires near the point of impact. They must all be demounted and destroyed.
Rims/wheels that have been struck by lightning must be carefully inspected by qualified personnel before possibly being put
back into service.
If in any doubt, they must be destroyed.
Beware of lightning Keep away from high-voltage lines

Ignition of
an unmounted tire
Potentially toxic smoke Inhaling smoke from tire fires

can be dangerous
The main components of smoke from tire fires are: Tire smoke is dangerous if it is inhaled in high concentrations.
• gases, mainly carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), It can cause:
sulfur dioxide (SO2) and also certain nitrogen compounds
• irritation and congestion of the upper respiratory tract and
(NO, NO2, etc.), aldehydes, hydrocarbons, halogenated
the lungs (due to the soot);
acids , etc.;
• breathing difficulties due to the irritants (acid fumes from
•
soot (fine particles of carbon) causing large amounts
the sulfur and nitrogen compounds);
of black smoke which are similar to hydrocarbon smoke.
•
carbon monoxide poisoning which may, at high
The composition of the smoke depends on the combustion
concentrations, cause various problems ranging from coma
conditions: the proportion of carbon monoxide is inversely
to death by asphyxiation.
proportional to the temperature and the oxygen supply.
Smoke from tires filled with solid polyurethane are particularly toxic
(see the «Inserts and solid fillers» chapter).
Ignition of a tire that is mounted

and inflated
Additional heat may, as a result of an accident, negligence • lightning strike;
or chance, trigger an internal fire, which is undetectable:
•
electric arc: proximity of high-voltage electricity lines,
• carrying out welding on a rim on which a tire is mounted contact with electric cables (including those lying on the
(even if it is not inflated); ground);
• overheated brakes; • direct contact with external heat sources (flames, hot slag,
etc.).
• fire in the machine on which the tire is mounted;
> Beware of the risk of internal fires, which are undetectable!

> A tire may explode at any moment during or after a fire.
Explosions have been reported up to eight hours after a tire fire has been put out.
30 Tire fires and their prevention

Putting out
a tire fire
Tire fires are difficult to put out completely
The fire services aerate this type of fire a great deal in order Do not try to put out a tire fire
to get rid of the smoke, which slows down the extinguishing with an extinguisher
process.
A great deal of water is required to put out a tire fire:

more than 800 gal / US ton (3.000 liters / ton of tires).
What should you do following a tire fire?
Wait 24 hours after the fire has been put out before entering the site:
• deflate all the tires concerned, scrap them in accordance with the regulations in force
and scrap the wheels;
• do not forget to thoroughly inspect tires that seem to be undamaged but which,
due to their proximity to the fire, may have been affected.
Any tire that is visibly damaged, or about which there is any doubt, must be destroyed.
After the fire has been put out,
scrap the tires
Inhaling smoke from tire fires can be dangerous

Prevention and training
Any site using earthmover tires must:

• formalize (and keep up to date) the procedures to be followed and the conduct required in the event of fire;
• ensure the necessary emergency equipment for fighting tire fires is available to the response staff;
• train the staff working on the site;
• carry out periodic fire drills;
• check the emergency equipment regularly.
Conduct in the event of fire: initial actions and alerts
The machine operator must: The team leader must:
• adhere to the current procedures and instructions applicable • alert the fire service and direct them so that they have rapid
on the site; access to the location of the fire;
• drive his machine to an isolated area, engage the parking • evacuate the area around the fire and ensure it is secure;
brake and turn off the motor;
• when the fire is completely out, continue monitoring from
• activate the automatic fire suppression system fitted on the a distance and ensure no one approaches the machine for
machine (if available); 24 hours;
• leave the machine from the side opposite the fire. Move • analyze the cause(s) of the fire and draw any necessary
at least 220 yd (200 meters) away from the machine. conclusions, and if appropriate, modify the machinery
This is the minimum totally safe distance in the event of a maintenance plan.
tire exploding;
• inform the site manager and await the arrival of the
emergency staff;
• do not block the access roads unless instructed to do so.
A tire fire is very difficult

to put out completely.
32 Tire fires and their prevention

How to reduce
the risks of tire fires
during operation
This is a non-exhaustive list of "good practices"

which can help to reduce the risks of tire fires
or explosions.
• Use the right tires for the application.

Consult the manufacturer on the load and speed limits.
• When mounting tires, do not spray products from aerosol cans into the
tires and check that no foreign bodies have been inadvertently left in
them (for example, wooden packing pieces).
• If the tire is inflated with air, check that no flammable vapor (alcohol,
liquids stored nearby) is taken in by the compressor (risk of transfer to
the tire).
• Inflate the tires and adjust the pressure, using nitrogen rather than air.
• Keep the inflation pressure at the level recommended by the

manufacturer.
• Fit machines with a remote tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS),

for example MICHELIN® MEMS® 4.
• Equip machines with an automatic fire suppression system.
• Never carry out welding or heating on the wheel before removing the
tire from it.
• Mark out the site haul roads, avoiding steep slopes and tight corners to
limit heating of the machine’s brakes. Drive at speeds appropriate for
the road.

5
Tire
maintenance
workshop
36 Introduction
37 Organization of the workshop
38 Safety information
Tire maintenance workshop 35

TIRE
MAINTENANCE
WORKSHOP
A few key concepts for logical

organization…
Whether the tire maintenance workshop

is within a specialist retailer’s premises or
on-site (mine, quarry, building site, port area),
its organization must fulfill the following objectives:
• enable top-quality work to be carried out;
• contribute to the safety of the tire maintenance

operations carried out in the workshop;
• reduce the amount of handling;
• make it easy to keep the area clean and tidy.
The organization described here concerns fixed workshops but can easily be
adapted for mobile workshops.
These guidelines must be adapted according to the constraints of each site in terms
of space and organization of the work.
The workshop may include a "repair area," the organization of which is covered in the
"Repair" chapter.
36
Organization
of the workshop
A tire workshop is generally divided into three areas:
> Storage area

This is organized according to how and where the tires
are to be used: new tires, those awaiting maintenance
work, those to be remounted (partially worn), those to be
scrapped, "associated items," etc.
Each of these areas must be clearly identified to avoid any
confusion.
The storage must be organized in accordance with the rules
specified in the "Handling and storing tires" chapter.
> Technical area

This comprises the tire "washing," "operations" and
"inspection" areas.
> Administration area

This is the workshop office, with its computer equipment,
technical documentation, wall charts on vehicle and tire
monitoring, tire records, etc.
This area may also include a staff room (changing room,

eating area, etc.) and a meeting room.
Technical zone of a tire workshop in a surface mine
Storage area: order and identification are the two essential concepts here
Tire storage Storage of associated items

To simplify handling operations, stock must be near the Using tires requires the use of numerous associated items:
tire workshop in a space that is large enough for handling inner tubes, flaps, o-rings, valves and valve bases, rings,
equipment to be able to move around in complete safety. bands, etc.
Tires awaiting inspection, repair, To ensure they remain in good condition, it is recommended
regrooving or retreading (and tires for that:
scrapping) must be stored in separate • they are kept in a clean, dry place (see the "Handling and
islands and clearly identified. storing tires" chapter);
As much as possible, the destination of • they are carefully identified;
the tires must be clearly marked. • any item that is in poor condition or whose quality is
questionable must be removed from stock.
The tires should preferably be under cover to prevent:
The performance of the tire also depends on the use of
• water, snow or dust getting inside the tire;
these items. Their storage and maintenance, which is
daylight and sunshine damaging the components of
• sometimes neglected, can be the cause of a tire having to
the tire. be taken out of use prematurely.
Tire maintenance workshop 37

Technical area: allocate different areas for different tasks
Washing area
This area, specifically for washing machines, wheels and tires,
must have a wastewater collection system and, depending
on local legislation, must comply with regulations on the
storage and discharge of this water.
Mounting/demounting area
This flat, concrete area must be laid out so that machinery
can be immobilized and lifted (operations that have to be
carried out prior to any mounting and dismounting work).
The area must be large enough for handling vehicles to be
able to move around immobilized machines.
For the safety of operators, the perimeter of this area must
be marked out on the ground: paint or safety cones around
the edges, etc.
The compressor must be installed near the inflation area,
ideally in a dedicated room (soundproof, free from volatile
pollutants).
Inspection area
This must be covered. The area provided must be large
enough for the largest tires used on the site to be handled
(using a forklift truck fitted with a tire handler or a hoist
equipped with wide straps).
It must be close to the mounting/demounting area, and have:

• excellent lighting (natural and electric light);
• supports for inspecting tires (provide a frame that can take
the largest size used on the site);
• an electrical rotation system for tires that are too heavy to
be rotated manually on the support frame.
The equipment required is detailed in the "Inspecting

demounted tires" chapter.
Outside: mounting/demounting area
Safety information
The safety equipment must comply with any instructions • safety around machines: see the "Inspecting tires on a
specific to the site and with current legislation. machine" chapter.
There are various safety aspects: safety during tire maintenance work: see the Safety
•
sections in the "Inspecting demounted tires," "Mounting
•
safety and protection of people: a first aid kit must
and demounting," "Inflation and checking the pressure,"
be available and easily accessible in the office. It is
"Duals Usage," "Regrooving" and "Repairing tires"
recommended that the safety instructions and emergency
chapters.
telephone numbers are displayed in this room.
• fire safety: the minimum equipment consists of one or more
• safety around the handling and storage areas: see the
extinguishers for class C fires (checked annually by qualified
"Handling and storing tires" chapter.
technicians) and a hydrant. See also the "Handling and
storing tires" chapter.
38 Tire maintenance workshop

6
Mounting
and demounting
40 Introduction
41 General precautions
and operator safety
43 Mounting operations
45 Demounting operations
46 Steps in the mounting

and demounting processes
Mounting and demounting 39

MOUNTING
AND DEMOUNTING
An incorrectly mounted tire wears faster!

It can damage the vehicle on which
it is mounted and may even cause
serious and occasionally fatal accidents.
Mounting and demounting earthmover

tires requires special training and great care,
as the size of the machines and that of the tires
makes each of the operations to be carried out
potentially dangerous.
For this reason, mounting and demounting

earthmover tires is a job for technicians who
are familiar with the procedures to be followed
and the precautions to be taken.
The right equipment must be used.
40
General precautions
and operator safety
Precautions for staff: they must be trained and adhere to instructions and
procedures!
Mounting must always be carried out by trained staff in
accordance with the current regulations in the country
concerned (when they exist).
Safety is paramount!
Fitters must wear:
• the following protection equipment at all times:
hard hat, protective glasses, gloves and safety shoes;
a fluorescent jacket when the technician is working
•
outdoors;
• according to the tasks to be carried out:
ear protection (mounting, demounting, etc.), dust mask
(cleaning rims, paint, etc.).
If the work is carried out on-site by external staff, a member
of the local staff should be present, as only that person is
familiar with the organization and the safety instructions.
If there are no site-specific safety instructions, see the
“Introduction to safety” chapter.
Depending on the size of the tire and the handling equipment
used, it is often necessary to work in pairs in order to carry out
the various operations safely.
Always check the condition of the straps before use!

Use the appropriate equipment
Working on earthmover tires generally requires the use of

handling equipment to move and position them.
In a great many countries, an operator
using a machine must hold an official
qualification to drive the equipment
concerned.
Use the right equipment for the sizes and weights of the tires concerned:
crane or forklift truck, preferably equipped with a tire handler or a hoist equipped with straps.
To avoid damaging the beads, never let them come into contact with steel slings or chains.
Ensure the machine is safe before mounting or demounting tires
Only work on machines that are: Make parked machines safe

• unloaded; • Articulated machines: place the locking link(s) in position.
• parked horizontally on a clear, level, clean area; • Rigid dumpers: use the lock-out/tag-out (if there is one).
• parking brake engaged and motor turned off. • Loaders: lower the arms and place the bucket in contact
with the ground.
Use blocks to immobilize the machine horizontally and

vertically.
Machines parked on a flat, clear, level, clean area Using blocks to immobilize a loader
Holding a tire too tightly when handling with a tire handler may distort it
and prevent subsequent correct positioning of the beads on the rim
(or make it more difficult to remove when demounting)
42 Mounting and demounting

Mounting
operations
Before mounting, inspect each of the parts of the assembly

to be mounted
• Tire: check that the tire has no abnormal distortions, inside or outside, and no visible or potential damage.
If there is any damage or you have any doubts, isolate the tire and get it inspected by a qualified technician.
• “Tire-rim“ assembly: check they are compatible with one another (if necessary, consult the manufacturer’s
recommendations).
• Rim: generally made up of the rim base, flanges, bead seat band and locking ring. Check that the various parts are
compatible with one another and that they are in good condition. Remove any traces of rust. If there are any distortions or
cracks, scrap the part in question.
• Flanges: check they are the right height for the size of the tire to be mounted (see Earthmover and Handling technical
documentation and the “Permitted rims” chapter).
• One or two locking rings: its shape must correspond to that of the rim gutter on one side and that of the bead seat band
on the other.
• Condition of the fixing components: check the general condition of the wheel rim clamps, nuts and studs.
Remove any traces of rust.
o-ring seal gutter key
rim base flanges bead seat band locking ring
1 2 3 4 5
Components of a 5-piece rim
Clean the rim components

Always follow the recommended procedure when mounting tires
• Refer to the wheel manufacturer’s instructions and/or the

documents provided by Michelin: procedures, e-training, etc.
• Lubricate the areas of the tire that need it.
Use a vegetable oil-based product (Tiger Grease 80 or
equivalent).
• Place all the wheel components in position and visually
check that they are correctly assembled.
• Which way round should you mount a tire?

- When a tire has to be mounted facing a particular way Tire mounted with the "Outside vehicle" marking visible
(mainly tires for self-propelled cranes), mount the tire so
that the "outside vehicle" marking is visible on the outside
of the vehicle;
- When the tread pattern has to run in a specific direction,
mount the tire with the points of the blocks facing toward
the front of the vehicle;
- In all other cases, the direction of mounting does not matter.
• Always replace:
- The o-ring (the correct size for that of the “tire-rim”
assembly);
- The valve and its seal and, if necessary, the valve base and
extension.
• Tighten the nuts in accordance with the procedure provided
by the manufacturer of the machine.
Tighten the nuts in accordance with Following procedures is the most
the manufacturer’s instructions important safety measure
Never reuse O-rings, valve seals or the valves themselves!
Always check that nothing has been left behind in

the tire before mounting it, as any object left inside
the tire would lead to a high risk of puncture or
even bursting.
A wooden wedge left inside a tire during mounting...
...150 hours later ... 55 yd (50 meters) further on
Do not use synthetic mineral lubricants and oils as they can damage the rubber and cause
rapid deflation or even blowouts.

Demounting
operations
Before carrying out any work on a tire, it MUST be deflated!
Deflation is: Deflation requires compliance with a safety procedure:

• recommended before carrying out any work, however • wear safety glasses and ear protection (this is even more
minor, on a tire or a rim; important than when mounting tires);
• mandatory when carrying out work on dual-mounted tires • do not stand in front of the valve;
(deflate both tires) or on a double-flanged rim (2 pieces, • use a valve core remover and hold the core with your hand
bolted together). when unscrewing.
Following the procedure will save you time when demounting a tire
• Start by washing the tire while it is still on the hub of the

vehicle.
• Deflate the tire fully.
• Use the recommended equipment and tools: tire handler,
manual or hydraulic bead breaker.
• Separate the tire from the rim.
• Remove the rim by pushing at several points, a short
distance apart, to avoid distorting the tire’s bead wire.
Refer to the wheel manufacturer’s instructions and/or the

documents provided by Michelin: procedures, e-training, etc.
After demounting,
check each component before carrying out any necessary repairs
• Tire: locate any damage and mark it with tire chalk for:
- Easy identification when putting into storage (see the
“Handling and storing tires” chapter);
- Inspection of the tire before repair or retreading (see the
“Repairing tires” and “Retreading tires” chapters).
• Rims (rim bases, flanges, bead seat bands and locking
rings):
- check there are no distortions, flaws or cracks;
- remove any traces of rust;
- if necessary repaint the rusty areas except the seats of the
rim.
• Valve base and extension: general check of their condition
before reuse.
Cleaning and repainting the rusty areas of metal parts

Steps in the mounting
and demounting processes
Direct mounting of a tire on a 5-piece rim (with a tire handler).
1 Remove any foreign bodies 2 Lubricate the beads 3 Lubricate the rim seat 4 Lubricate the chamfered part
of the bead seat band
5 Place the flange on a bead 6 Push the bead seat band 7 Place the tire on the rim 8 Lubricate the conical zone
into the bead of the bead seat band
9 Push the bead seat band 10 Fit a new o-ring 11 Fit the locking ring 12 Inflate and lightly tap
with the tire handler the locking ring
13 Inflate to mounting pressure, 14 Check the airtightness

then adjust to working pressure
Direct demounting of a tire on a 5-piece rim (with a tire handler).
1 Unscrew the valve cap and core, 2 Push on the bead seat band 3 Remove the locking ring 4 Remove the rim seal
then deflate
5 Push the flange on the chassis side 6 Remove the tire from the rim 7 Separate the bead seat band 8 Remove the bead seat band
and the flange and the flange

7
Duals usage
48 Introduction
49 Rules for dual tire usage:

mount tires that are
as similar as possible
49 Conditions for dual tire usage:

strict compliance
with the recommendations
50 Regular inspection of dual tire
50 fitment is essential!
51 How to limit uneven wear
52 Specific procedures
for demounting dual tires
Duals usage 47
DUALS USAGE
This is when two tires are mounted
on the same hub of one axle in order
to double its load capacity.
The two tires of a dual-tire fitment

behave like a single tire.
They must therefore be as similar
as possible in terms of size, design
and degree of wear.
This special type of fitment is reserved

for machines whose function is to carry
heavy loads (for example, rigid dumpers
or front-loading forklift trucks).
ADVANTAGES
• Heavier loads can be carried with tires that individually have lower load indexes.
• The effects of occasional or regular overloads are limited.
• Easier repair in the event of a flat as the vehicle is not totally immobilized on
the site road: it can be moved to a safe place at low speed.
DISADVANTAGES
• Mounting and demounting take longer.
• Increased monitoring of the tires while in use to minimize any problems.
• The inside dual is less visible, and thus often overlooked for maintenance.
48
Rules for dual-tire usage:
mount tires that are
as similar as possible
In order to work together perfectly as a single unit, the tires
in the same dual-tire fitment:
• must have the same construction (bias or radial) so that
they behave in the same way when in use;
• must be the same size so that they have the same contact
patch (respect equipment manufacturer’s guidelines for
tolerance);
• must have comparable inflation pressure (the difference
should never be more than 1% in the same dual fitment).
It is also preferable that the dual-tire fitment has the

following on the same axle:
• tires of the same brand and type;
• tires with the same degree of wear (comparable tread
depths).
Failure to comply with these rules will encourage

Dual-tire usage is for machines that carry heavy loads the rapid appearance of abnormal tire wear.
To limit uneven tire wear, vehicles are often fitted with differentials enabling the left dual-tire fitment
to rotate at a different speed from that of the right dual-tire fitment.
Conditions for dual-

tire usage: strict compliance
with the recommendations
It is highly inadvisable to fit dual tires on machines that are
not designed for this type of tire fitment.
Comply with the dual spacing tire fitment distance and the
rims recommended by the manufacturer of the machine.
Apart from industrial and port handling activities, machines
must be equipped with rock ejectors to prevent foreign
objects being trapped between the inner sidewalls of the
tires.
Keep to the pressures recommended by the technical

representatives of the tire manufacturer.
Dual-tire fitments must be protected by a rock ejector
Duals usage 49
Regular inspection of dual-tire
fitments is essential!
Dual-tire fitments require even more

regular monitoring than single fitments.
Potential consequences of inadequate tire inspection:

• uneven wear not dealt with;
appearance of damage on the inner sidewalls of the
•
dual-tire fitment, caused by foreign bodies remaining
permanently trapped between the dual-tire fitment;
• repeated or continuous rubbing of the rock ejectors against
the sidewalls of the tires: an incorrectly adjusted or bent
rock ejector causes rubbing, which will lead to puncture
in the long run. Wear can turn a rock ejector into a sharp
blade!
• "kissing" phenomena (contact between the inner sidewalls
of dual tires), whereas under normal conditions of use,
there is no contact or only minimal contact (light brushing).
Regular inspection of dual-tire fitments is essential
Forklift truck fitted with dual tires
Kissing on a dual fitment Dual-tire fitment of MICHELIN ® XZM ® TL tires
The risk of kissing is greatly increased if the tires are underinflated or if the vehicle is very overloaded
(dynamic or static overload).
The rubbing between the tires then increases very significantly, to the point that it exceeds the endurance
limits of the sidewalls themselves and/or the wheel mounting bolts.
50 Duals usage
How to limit
uneven wear?
The tires in the same dual-tire fitment sometimes show

“tapered” wear: the outer edges of the tires in the dual-tire
fitment are worn more than the inner edges.
In extreme cases, this type of wear leads to tires that are
worn at the shoulders being demounted, whereas the
condition of the tread would allow them to be kept on the
outer edge inner edge vehicle.
of the dual- of the dual-
tire fitment tire fitment
It is therefore necessary to delay

the occurrence and the severity
of this type of wear.
wear wear
center-to-center
distance
Tapered wear of a dual-tire fitment
Several actions are recommended
Optimize the operating

conditions of machines
• In quarries and in mines: appropriate design of site roads
considerably reduces the occurrence of tapered wear (see
the “Factors affecting the lifetime of tires” chapter);
•
In handling applications: this type of wear, which is
independent of the nature of the ground, is dependent on
how the truck is driven.
Frequent maneuvering with tight turning circles is very
damaging.
Regularly rotate
the tires in a dual-tire fitment
For each tire in dual, turning the tire on the rim (to change
the direction of rotation of the tire) before the difference
in wear between the two edges of the tire becomes too
pronounced evens out the wear profile of the tires.
Interchanging the two tires (or tire assemblies) of a dual
Appropriate design of site roads reduces tapered wear
mount balances the wear between the two tires.
Duals usage 51
Specific procedures
for demounting dual tires
During demounting, the pressure may cause stones trapped Dual-tire fitments make it impossible to check the condition
between two dual tires to be ejected, which could seriously of the inner rim.
injure operators or cause damage in the surrounding area.
If this rim is damaged (cracks or breaks around the
circumference), the parts are only held in place by the wheel
rim clamps.
During demounting, there is therefore a risk of ejection of
the broken parts or even the tires themselves.
The assembly is only

held in place
by the mounting bolts
Crack
Beware of stones being ejected when demounting dualed tires!
Before carrying out any work on a dualed tire, it is advisable to always fully deflate the other tire
in the dual-tire fitment.
Before demounting a dualed tire, it is imperative to fully deflate both tires in the dual-tire fitment.
52 Duals usage
8
Inflation
and checking
tire pressures
54 Introduction
55 Inflation pressure:
an essential parameter
57 Optimize the pressure

according to the operating
conditions of the vehicle
60 Inflation: air or nitrogen?
62 Inflation additives
Inflation and checking tire pressures 53

INFLATION
AND CHECKING
TIRE PRESSURES
It is essential to ensure that a tire is at

its optimum pressure throughout its life
to ensure it provides maximum performance
and has a long service life.
Regularly checking tire pressures is therefore
a vital aspect of the operational management
of tires during use.
Compliance with the vehicle manufacturer’s
recommendations and the maximum pressures
given by the tire manufacturers is also a major
safety element.
However, the recommended working pressure
may vary within these recommendations,
according to the environment, the site
operating conditions and the conditions of
use of the machine.
Inflating a tire is a day-to-day operation for professionals.

However, it is never a trivial matter: the procedures and
safety instructions must be strictly followed.
Inflation accidents are rare, but when they do occur,
they are generally dramatic.
Although inflation with air is the most commonly
used technique, nitrogen can be a useful alternative
in specific conditions.
56
54
Inflation pressure:
an essential parameter
Comply with
the recommendations of
the tire and machine
manufacturers
An inflated tire is filled with pressurized air which places
the cords in the casing under tension. This tension enables
the tire to bear the load correctly.
This is why it is essential to maintain the pressure
recommended by the tire and machine manufacturers.
Too low or too high a pressure speeds up tire wear.
It can even lead to the gradual deterioration of the tire’s
structure or it may even burst.
The Technical Data Book ("Load/Pressure" tables) published
by Michelin defines maximum pressures which should not be
exceeded.
Keep to the recommended inflation pressure
Inflation, an operation
that is always potentially
dangerous
• Inflating a tire requires the use of the correct equipment

that is in good working order:
- compressor (flow rate at 174 psi - 12 bar): 50 yd3/h
(40 m3/h) minimum (onboard compressor ), to 160 yd3/h
(120 m3/h) (fixed compressor);
- inflation hose: 7 yd minimum (6 meters).
• For safety reasons, stand facing the tread so that, if the tire
bursts, you will not be in the path of the blast of air and
any metal wheel parts that may be ejected.
Stand 7 yd away (6 meters) from the valve
Personal protection equipment
When inflating, deflating or checking the pressure of tires,

operators must wear safety shoes or boots, gloves, safety
glasses and a hard hat.
It is recommended that operators do not wear ear protection,
so that they can hear any air leaks at the valve after checking
the pressure.
Examples of personal protection equipment that must be worn when inflating tires
Safety during inflation
During inflation, the operator must stand facing the tire’s

tread, a minimum distance of 7 yd (6 meters) away from the
valve.
A tire that is not mounted on a vehicle must be inflated in an

area that is clear and free from tools to avoid their possible
ejection. Inflation can be carried out as follows:
• vertical position: tire firmly secured to prevent any risk
of falling, with the rim components (which may be ejected
by the pressure) facing a wall (but some distance away
from it) or toward another protective surface.
horizontal position: with the rim components facing
•
downward.
Inflation with tire vertical, with surrounding area protected in case

of ejection of rim components
Inflation procedure
• Step 1
Inflate to minimum pressure (approximately 1 bar, 14.5 psi)
while:
- Checking the gradual centering of the tire on the rim
- Observing the correct positioning of the molded guide rib
on the lower part of the tire.
• Step 2
Continue inflating up to:
- a mounting pressure of 80 psi (5,5 bar) if the working
pressure recommended by Michelin is 65 psi (4,5 bar) or
less;
- a pressure of 110 psi (7,5 bar) if the working pressure
recommended by Michelin is greater than 65 psi (4,5 bar).
Important: Check that the rim is capable of withstanding
this temporary pressure (the maximum permitted pressure
is marked on the rim). Otherwise, inflate to the maximum
pressure permitted by the rim.
Note: When the tires on a machine have different
recommended pressures according to their positions on the
machine, the recommended reference pressure (i.e., the
pressure to be taken into account) is the highest of these
pressures.
• Step 3
Adjust the mounting pressure to the working pressure
recommended by Michelin.
• Step 4
Tighten the internal valve mechanism then screw on the
valve cap.
Always stand facing the tread during inflation
• Step 5
Check for any leaks at the valve, the valve base and,
in particular, at the rim seal.
56 Inflation and checking tire pressures

Incorrect inflation = shorter service life, as shown by these figures!
The curve opposite shows the consequences of an MAXIMUM

PERFORMANCE
incorrect working pressure on tire performance. CROWN
These are average tendencies that have been Reduced resistance
observed. - 20 % to damage
CROWN
Abnormal
Reduction in performance
temperature rise CROWN, SIDEWALL,
The pressures recommended by manufacturers LOWER AREA
SIDEWALL & - 40 % Structural
correspond to standard operating conditions for LOWER AREA damage
vehicles. Compression/
extension
These recommendations may be modified for specific - 60 %

conditions. CROWN, SIDEWALL,
LOWER AREA
Structural
damage - 80 %
Underinflation Recommended Overinflation

-25 % working pressure +25 %
Reduction in performance due to underinflation or overinflation (%)

and associated potential risks
Optimize the pressure

according to the operating
conditions of the vehicle
Actual load of the machine
To estimate the correct working pressure for MICHELIN®
tires, the most rigorous procedure is to:
• weigh the machines when loaded, position by position or
axle by axle;
• determine the correct working pressure for the load
carried and the speed of the machine by referring to
the MICHELIN® Technical Data Book.
TIP
Michelin technicians can assist
you with weighing your vehicles
and then advise you on the
correct pressures.
Weighing the rear axles of an articulated dumper

Specific operating conditions
Specific usage conditions lead to modification of the machine manufacturer’s recommendations, within the pressure limits
defined in the tire manufacturer’s technical documentation.
Need for “flotation” Protecting tires used

for traveling over soft on very stony surfaces
or loose surfaces
Flotation is the ability of the machine to travel over soft When machines are constantly moving around on stony
or loose surfaces without sinking in. or uneven rocky surfaces, there can be a high risk of tread
blocks being torn off.
Reducing the pressure decreases the resistance of the soft - Reducing the pressure limits the sensitivity of the tires to
or loose surface to the forward movement of the tire (while the harsh conditions (while taking into account the loads
taking into account the loads to be carried). to be carried).
Modify the pressure on soft or loose surfaces There is an increased possibility of tread blocks being torn off on stony surfaces
- It may be necessary to decrease the speed of the machine

when the tire pressure is reduced to avoid adversely
affecting the performance of the tires.
Finding optimum stability for loaders

This concerns loaders working at the face in mines or quarries, handling very dense materials.
Increasing the pressure of the front tires (up to 14.5 psi more - 1 bar) improves their stability (TRA* recommendations).
The pressure should only be increased on the front tires.
Slightly increase the pressure of the front tires

* Tire and Rim Association

Climatic conditions
The inflation pressures recommended by the machine manufacturers, like those recommended in the tire manufacturer’s
technical documentation, are for a climatically temperate environment.
When an inflated tire is subject to significant variations in temperature, its inflation pressure varies: an increase in the ambient
temperature results in increased inflation pressure and vice versa.
To limit deformation of the casing, the working pressure must always remain the same as (or slightly higher than) the recommended
pressure. The recommended pressure must therefore take into account temperature changes (day/night or from one season to
the next).
The recommended pressures:

• can only be used if the vehicle has been stationary for a length of time proportional to the size of the tires (approximately 3 hours
for a 25" tire and 15 hours for a 63" tire);
• are calculated for a reference ambient temperature of 65 °F (18 °C), and do not require any modification as long as the external
temperature is between 50 °F (10 °C) and 77°F (25 °C).
Outside this temperature range, corrections (sometimes large) are necessary.
Ambient temperature at the time of inflation higher than Ambient temperature at the time of inflation lower than
the reference temperature the reference temperature
If at ambient temperature (higher than 80 °F • 25 °C ) the tire is
• Inflation carried out in a heated workshop
inflated to the recommended pressure, when the temperature
falls, the pressure will fall below the recommended pressure. The machine will work in colder ambient air: therefore the
The tire is then underinflated. inflation pressure must be higher than the reference pressure.
The impact of this temperature difference must be anticipated • Procedure for correcting inflation pressures
at the time of inflation by referring to the table below.
The table below gives the pressure corrections necessary
Example: for inflation in a workshop according to the recommended
Recommended pressure: 90 psi (6 bar). pressure and the difference in temperature between the
Ambient temperature when inflating: 95 °F (35 °C). workshop and the outside environment.
If the ambient temperature falls to 68 °F (20 °C), the inflation To use this table, follow the steps below:
pressure will be 5.5 bar (6*100/108), which is below the
recommended pressure. 1- Calculate the difference in temperature between the
workshop and the outside environment (workshop
Recommended temperature – external temperature).
Ambient temperature 2- In the top line, find the nominal value that is closest to the
increase
at the time of inflation calculated temperature difference.
in pressure 3- In the left column, select the recommended pressure.
+25 °C and +29 °C (77 °F to 84 °F) 4 % 4- The point at which the selected line and column intersect
gives you the pressure to which the tire must be inflated.
+30 °C and +34 °C (86 °F to 93 °F) 6 %
+35 °C and +39 °C (95 °F to 102 °F) 8 %
Recommended Difference between workshop temperature
+40 °C and +45 °C (104 °F to 113 °F) 10 %
pressure and external ambient temperature
bar psi 10 °C 18 °F 20 °C 36 °F 30 °C 54°F 40 °C 72 °F 50 °C 90 °F
4.0 58 4.2 61 4.4 64 4.6 67 4.8 70 5.0 73

4.5 65 4.7 68 5.0 73 5.2 75 5.4 78 5.6 81
5.0 73 5.2 75 5.5 80 5.7 83 6.0 87 6.2 90
5.5 80 5.8 84 6.0 87 6.3 91 6.6 96 6.8 91
6.0 87 6.3 91 6.6 96 6.9 100 7.2 104 7.4 107
6.5 94 6.8 99 7.1 103 7.4 107 7.7 112 8.0 116
7.0 102 7.3 106 7.7 111 8.0 116 8.3 120 8.6 125
7.5 109 7.8 113 8.2 119 8.5 124 8.9 129 9.2 133
Example:
Workshop temperature: 63 °F (17 °C),
External temperature: -4 °F (-20 °C).
Recommended working pressure for the tire: 87 psi (6 bar)
Adapt the tire pressure to the climatic conditions
For the tire’s working pressure to be 87 psi (6 bar), it must be
inflated to 102 psi (7 bar).
TIP • Inflation carried out outdoors
If the ambient temperature is close to the lowest temperature,
Michelin technicians can help
inflate the tire to the recommended pressure and, when the
you determine the pressure temperature increases, deflate to reduce the pressure.
corrections to be applied for
the environment in which If the ambient temperature is higher than the lowest
your machines are used. temperature, refer to the first example.

Inflation:
air or nitrogen?
Inflation with nitrogen: suitable for extreme operating conditions
This technique, which means there is no oxygen in the inflation mixture, is particularly recommended when tires are used in
difficult or dangerous conditions.
Main advantage: lower risk of explosion

When the internal temperature becomes abnormally high
(in the region of 480°F - 250°C), the rubber self-combusts
(pyrolysis phenomenon), which causes:
• releases of flammable vapors (methane, hydrogen);
• a sharp pressure increase in the tire which may, in the
presence of air (oxygen), lead to its explosion.
Such temperatures can only be reached if there is additional

external energy:
particularly hot external environment: steel works,
•
foundry, etc.;
• lightning or electric arc striking the vehicle;
•
excessive temperature rise of mechanical components:
heat transmission from electric motors, brakes, etc.;
• welding carried out on a tire mounted on a rim and
inflated;
• accidental but long-term overheating of the tire: caused by
underinflation, overinflation, exceeding the speed limit or
a combination of all three.
(see the "Tire fires and their prevention" chapter). Inflation with nitrogen requires
the appropriate equipment
Long cycles increase the risks of overheating

(with comparable loads and at comparable speeds)

Other advantages of inflation When is it advisable to inflate tires
using nitrogen using nitrogen?
• Limitation of the risks of oxidation of the tire components For obvious safety reasons, this type of inflation is always
(rubber, cords, etc.) and the wheel/rim equipment. advisable in the following conditions:
• Slower decrease in inflation pressure during use.
• atmospheres where there is a risk of explosion;
• contact with (or proximity to) molten materials (foundries,
steel works, glass works, etc.);
• where there is a risk of electric arcs (near high voltage lines
or cables, lightning, etc.);
• working conditions that may lead to a significant rise in
tire temperature due to transmission of heat from the
engine, hubs, brakes, etc.
The projection of all the tire/rims component has effects that are a great deal more dangerous and destructive than just a burst tire
Low pressure inflation of tires Additional precautions

• When the operating pressure is less than 73 psi (5,0 bar), Compressed gas cylinders must only be used by technicians
the tire must be purged (or placed under vacuum) in who have received the appropriate training.
order to significantly reduce the proportion of oxygen. Never use nitrogen cylinders that are not fitted with
The use of such a system is generally complicated. regulators, and always comply with the supplier’s safety
• Inflation with deoxygenated air may be an alternative to rules.
using pure nitrogen, reducing the proportion of oxygen in
the ambient air from 20% to less than 5%.

Tire
additives
Michelin’s official position on the use of liquid additives in earthmover,

civil engineering and handling equipment tires.
• Liquid additives are sometimes used by tire maintenance services. The main advantages claimed
are that they reduce the oxidation of rims and fitted assemblies and provide preventive
maintenance of wheels.
• The choice to use (or not use) liquid additives rests with the customer. However, Michelin cannot
be held responsible for any damages to MICHELIN ® products that are directly caused by liquid
additives.
• For information on an alternative approach to prevent rim corrosion, please see the section
subtitled "Inflation: air or nitrogen?" Page 60
In order to protect the rims from oxidation without adversely affecting the performance of the tires, users of MICHELIN® tires
may, under certain conditions, use nitrogen for inflation.
* ETRTO : European Tire and Rim Technical Organisation

9
Inserts and solid
fills
64 Introduction
65 General usage characteristics
65 Rubber inserts
66 Solid polyurethane elastomer fills
67 Solid fills and inserts:

advantages and disadvantages
68 Michelin’s position on the use

of solid fills or inserts in MICHELIN ®
tires
Inserts and solid fills 63

INSERTS
AND SOLID FILLS
Inserts and solid fills are sometimes used

instead of air or nitrogen to inflate tires.
This technique is used for specific
applications where flats could cause
real problems (operation in underground
mines) or where flats may occur very frequently
(handling in steel works, loading trucks at
garbage dumps).
The intrinsic performance levels of machines
equipped with such tires are reduced
(lower operating speed) and driver comfort
is also significantly decreased.
The use of inserts or solid fills must therefore
be considered as a last resort.
Their use requires qualified staff.
Due to the nature of their components,
it is generally difficult to dispose of inserts
and solid fills after use.
64
General usage
characteristics
Performing the same functions

as those of an inflated tire
The materials used to replace air or nitrogen must:
• Be chemically compatible with the rubber used in the tire;
• Provide identical functions to those of the same tire inflated
conventionally, in particular with regard to:
- ability to carry a load: equivalent rigidity;
- traction: comparable contact patches;
- ability of the assembly to transmit torque: identical contact
pressure between the tire bead and the base of the rim.
Inserts are often used in underground mining
It is essential that operations using these solutions are carried out by qualified staff.
Rubber inserts
There is a specific insert for each specific size of tire
Inserts consist of rubber inserted into the internal cavity of

the tire. Their shape must therefore match the volume and
profile of the tire’s cavity as closely as possible.
This means that a given insert generally corresponds to one
particular tire (brand, size, tread pattern).
It is very rare for one insert to be suitable for more than one
type of tire.
Honeycomb design
There are several insert technologies, the most widely used
of which are:
• honeycomb design;
• rubber layers.
Rubber layers

Installation: special equipment is required
In order to fit the internal volume of the tire exactly, the insert must completely fill it when at rest.
To install the insert in the tire therefore involves compressing it, then inserting it by force into the tire’s cavity.
Mounting and demounting tire inserts requires the use of

a press, which is specific to each make of insert.
When an insert is removed due to the wear of the first tire
in which it has been mounted, it may be possible to use that
insert a second time (comply with the recommendations Mounting an insert that is not suitable
of the manufacturer of the insert). for the tire means risking significant
temperature rise when running, which
When it is mounted a second time, you must check that the
could lead to major damage to the tire
insert is in contact with the internal surface of the tire at
or even its spontaneous ignition.
all points.
Remounting an insert which does not fit the shape of the
cavity perfectly would have the same consequences as
mounting an insert that is not suitable for the type of tire
concerned.
Solid polyurethane
elastomer fills
Polyurethane elastomer comes in the form of several different liquids that have to be mixed together before being injected
into the tire.
Solidification of the liquids starts as soon as they have been mixed together and may continue for several days.
Polyurethane elastomer solid fill
Radial casings deform very little and the pressure increases very fast.
Particular care should therefore be taken when filling Radial tires.
66 Inserts and solid fills

Demounting and recycling
Although it is difficult to separate the tire and the solid
fill, it is mandatory to do so as organizations that collect
scrap tires refuse to take anything other than the tires
themselves. Burning a tire filled with a solid
The tire must therefore be cut up in order to extract the polyurethane fill gives off particularly
solid fill and then grind it up. Standards relating to the toxic fumes.
disposal of polyurethane waste depend on local regulations
which may make its disposal difficult.
Solid fills and inserts:

advantages and disadvantages
Advantages Disadvantages
• Increased load capacity. • Cost of the components used equivalent to the cost of the
• Improved stability of the machine (the tire/solid body tire itself.
assembly is more rigid). • Risk of damage to the tire:
• No need to check the tire pressure. - when mounting the inserts, if the material inserted is not
• Mobility maintained if the tire is punctured or damaged suitable,
(less frequent repair work, less disruption of business). - when filling with polyurethane, in the event of excessive
pressure.
• The inserted material is difficult to recycle (due to its nature
and its large volume).
• The rim + tire + component assembly is heavier, with faster
wear of the main mechanical parts of the vehicle (axles,
transmission, brakes).
Disappearance (or significant decrease) of the tire’s
•
“suspension” function, with a considerable impact on the
reliability of the vehicle over time, on its comfort and on
operator productivity.
• Obligatory reduction of speed of movement (maximum
and average) to limit temperature rise.
• Increased fuel consumption (greater inertia on acceleration
and greater rolling resistance).
• Decreased traction capacity.
• Shorter tire service life: higher operating temperature and
more frequent occurrence of premature damage.
Inserts and solid fills improve the stability of the machine,

provided that the normal precautions for using the vehicle are followed
The use of solid fills or inserts leads to a significant reduction in the operating speed of machines.
Always consult the supplier of the product used to determine the new conditions of use for vehicles,
such as load capacity.

Michelin’s position
on the use of solid fills
or inserts in MICHELIN® tires
• The choice to use (or not use) inserts or solid fills rests with the customer. Inserts and solid fills
are sometimes used under very specific conditions of use under very specific conditions of use:
frequent punctures, very high stacking, etc.
• However, if reducing the frequency of punctures on L2 or L3 type Radial tires is the main
objective, it is recommended that L5 type tires are used (MICHELIN ® X MINE ® D2 or MICHELIN ®
XSM ® D2+ for example) inflated with air or nitrogen, rather than using inserts or solid fills.
• In some cases, Michelin can provide Usage Restrictions for its tires equipped with clearly
identified inserts. It is then essential to adhere to these instructions provided by Michelin and
the manufacturer of the insert concerned.
• The technical characteristics of MICHELIN ® tires can change over the period during which they
are sold. Before using any inserts, it is therefore necessary to check with the Michelin technician
on the compatibility of the tires with the solution being considered.
It is also essential that the operations to use these solutions are carried out by trained, qualified staff.
•
• Michelin cannot be held liable for any damage to any of its tires if it is the result of the use of
inserts or solid fills.
Michelin is not liable for the use or application

of solid fills or inserts in MICHELIN ® tires.
68 Inserts and solid fills

10
Factors
influencing
the service life
of tires
70 Introduction
71 Choosing a tire
72 Main causes of tire damage
74 Internal operating
temperature
76 Influence of the vehicle

on the service life of its tires
79 Influence of the site roads,

key factors for tire service life
80 Factors influencing
the service life of tires
Factors influencing the service life of tires 69

MAINTAINING
the optimum service life of tires
is an economic and environmental
issue!
Choosing the right tire and using it to

its full potential optimizes tire and fuel
budgets, which are both major items in
operating accounts.
It also helps to ensure that work is carried
out under optimum safety conditions.
Following simple rules on the use of tires is often
all that is needed to increase their service life. It is
therefore important to understand how they work
in order to pay greater attention to their conditions
of use.
Optimizing the service life of tires involves, wherever
working conditions permit, paying particular
attention to the design of the site roads and work
areas and ensuring they are regularly maintained.
The way machines are driven also affects the service
life of the tire.
Using tires correctly also helps to conserve
the world’s natural resources.
70
Choosing a tire,
involves making a decision
based on expected performance
and actual conditions of use
Regular maintenance of loading areas helps to extend the service life of tires
A tire must be exactly right for its intended use. Choosing a tire, therefore, involves deciding between all the conditions of use
in order to identify the most suitable tire for the work environment.
Tire performance criteria

• Actual suitability for the various conditions of use: load capacity
and speed, combined with adhesion, stability, traction and
flotation;
• excellent resistance to damage: wear, impact and cuts;
• lower fuel consumption, achieved by limiting the weight
of the tire and its rolling resistance;
• potential for the casing to be repaired or even retreaded;
• a good level of comfort and ease of use for the operator.
Numerous conditions of use

The tire is the only point of contact between the machine and the ground
The tire is the only point of contact between the machine
and the ground. The huge range of factors to which it is
subjected has a major effect on its functions:
• nature of the ground;
• condition of the site roads;
• external temperature;
• pressure;
• load;
• speed.
Should the tires be changed if

the operating conditions change?
Any change in a site’s operating conditions (nature of the
ground, length of the cycles, profile of the site roads, etc.)
may result in a tire that was previously totally satisfactory
becoming unsuitable, calling for the tires on the vehicles
Tire on a loader working at a quarry face concerned to be changed.

Main causes
of tire damage
External causes
Climatic conditions
The climate (wet or dry) and the temperature (high or low)
also affect the integrity of the tire.
(see the “Inflation and checking the pressure” chapter).
Mechanical forces
Damage can be caused or aggravated by:
• hammering connected with regular impact on the tread blocks
traveling over a very hard, smooth surface at high speed;
• centrifugal force, connected with the curvature of bends and
the cornering speed;
impacts on poorly maintained surfaces (badly graded,
•
Traveling over stones significantly reduces the service life of tires
presence of stones, holes, ruts, etc.).
Damage connected with the use of the tires
Inflation pressure Other causes

This directly affects the service life of a tire, which may • Overloading: abnormal temperature rise, increased flexing
change considerably if it is underinflated or overinflated: and weakening of the tire’s sidewalls that may lead to
premature scrapping, even if the tread still shows very little
• underinflation: increased flexing of the tire’s sidewalls
sign of wear.
causing a rise in its internal temperature and uneven wear;
Excessive speed: abnormal rise in the tire’s internal
•
•
overinflation: premature wear of the tread, reduced
temperature, causing its components to overheat, resulting
resistance to impacts and cuts and uneven wear.
in irreversible damage to the tire’s structure.
(see the “Inflation and checking the pressure” chapter).
• Severe, repeated and intense impacts.
• A combination of the above.
Underinflation adversely affects the service life of the tire Damage on the bead due to overloading of the vehicle
72 Factors influencing the service life of tires

Thermal damage
Reminder: the operating temperature of the tire is a major factor
The thermal operation of the tire is fundamental as it is the

key explanatory factor in most damage.
To understand the reason for this, you must bear in mind the
working cycle of a tire:
Position 1 : tire not subjected to any load stress.

Position 2 : as the tire rotates, the sidewalls are compressed
causing a rise in the temperature of its internal components.
Position 3 : in contact with the ground, the intensity of
the temperature rise is at its maximum. It then gradually
decreases (position 4) until it returns to the initial position
(position 1).
The rubber stores Some of the energy

energy is released in the form
3 of heat
F
If this cycle is repeated too quickly, the 2 4
tire’s optimum operating temperature
is exceeded, resulting in irreversible
damage to its components.
Energy
1 1
Separation of the components

Separation of a tire’s components (tread and casing) is Time
generally the result of an excessive temperature rise, due to
one of the causes described previously.
The consequences of such separations can be dangerous.
When they occur, it is therefore essential to carry out an in-
depth inspection to ascertain the causes so that they can be
remedied.
Do the following to help avoid

thermal damage:
Check:
• the pressure regularly (see the “Inspecting tires on vehicles”
chapter) and adjust it whenever necessary;
• the loads and their centering periodically;
• the traveling cycles and the actual operating speed;
• the vehicle’s braking equipment.
Separation of the components in a tire

Internal operating
temperature
A major point to be monitored on tires during use
Why does the temperature Critical temperature threshold

of the air inside the tire rise?
The increase in temperature is due to: The critical temperature of the air inside the tire is the
limit above which the level of temperature rise becomes
- the temperature rise of the tire itself; dangerous for the tire.
- the partial transfer of the temperature rise from the brakes
and gearboxes. If there are no external heat sources, it is generally accepted
that this critical temperature is reached when the air inside
the tire reaches 80°C or 176°F.
When the internal air reaches this temperature, that of the

tire’s components is even higher, approaching the reversion
Critical internal temperature of the rubber.
temperature threshold = 80°C or 176°F
Monitor the internal temperature regularly and frequently
Tire temperatures must be monitored frequently and at regular intervals, so that any abnormal rise is detected quickly.
TPMS: temperature MEMS ®: Michelin monitoring

monitoring tools system specifically for mining
vehicles
TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems) can be used for this. MEMS® (Michelin Earthmover Management
They are based on two different approaches: System) is the first remote pressure and
temperature monitoring system for
• monitoring the air temperature at the tire valve; mining machine tires.
• monitoring the temperature and pressure by inserting a The MEMS system provides mining sites
sensor inside the tire. This system, which is more costly, with a permanent tool for managing
is more efficient than the previous system. It is therefore these parameters.
generally chosen for tires intended for trucks used in
quarries and mines. It sends alert signals when the
temperature and/or pressure go outside
the preset ranges.
As well as the data capture and

simple alert functions, this system also
transfers the information to the control
center for processing and analysis.
MEMS® is a recognized
tool for improving tire
performance

Notes

Influence of the vehicle
on the service life of its tires
Positions of the tires and use of the machine

The service life of tires mounted on drive axles is generally
shorter than those mounted on steering axles.
For forklift trucks and reach stackers, the opposite often
occurs, due to the machine’s steering angle.
The tires mounted on steering axles are subjected to heavier
use, except for machines which travel long distances in
straight lines.
On reach stackers, the steering wheels (rear)

are subjected to greater stresses even when loaded
Different diameter tires (or with differing levels of wear)

mounted on the same vehicle
A difference in overall diameter (tires of different types or However, some degree of tolerance is accepted.
brands or markedly different degrees of wear) between For loaders, the following differences in overall diameter
two tires on a dual-tire fitment (for transport machines) are accepted:
or between the front and rear axles (for loaders) results in
• 6% between the front and rear axles;
faster, uneven wear of the tires.
• 3% between the two tires on the same axle.
(see also the “Duals Usage” chapter)
Tolerances defined in standard SAE J2204.
Some manufacturers recommend different values. Refer to
the technical data sheet for the machine concerned.
For rigid dump trucks, the following maximum differences

in overall diameter are accepted:
• 3% between the left and right tires;
• 1% between two dual tires.
For articulated dump trucks, the following maximum

differences in overall diameter are accepted:
• 2% between the front and rear axles;
• 1.5% between the two rear axles;
• 1.5% between the tires on the same axle.
Do not mount tires with different degrees of wear on a dual-tire fitment

Mechanical maintenance
of vehicles
Poor mechanical condition of a machine affects the service
life of the tires it uses.
For example:
• faulty brakes can cause excessive heating of the wheels,
leading to much faster wear of the tires than normal;
• incorrect alignment of the steering wheels on a transport
machine leads to rapid, abnormal and different wear on
the inner and outer shoulders of the tire (see the “Machine
Inspection” chapter). It is then necessary to swap over the
tires on the same axle during their lifetime, otherwise
premature removal will be unavoidable;
poorly adjusted suspension, play in the spindles, the
•
ball joints and the pivots results in uneven wear, which
can limit a tire’s performance or even lead to its
premature removal.
Check the mechanical condition of the machine regularly
Overloading machines
This occurs frequently during operation and may be due to:
• the type and/or condition of the material being carried
(density, size of fragments transported);
• incorrect loading or uneven distribution of loads over the
tires.
Effect of the degree of overloading on the service life of a

tire (as a guide only):
Overloading (%) Reduction in tire service life (%)

10 15
20 30
30 50
A load that is off-center can cause a specific overload on one side
Permanent overloading
If the material being transported is more dense than usual, each bucketload is heavier. It is therefore necessary to reduce
the number of bucketloads emptied into the dump truck to prevent its being overloaded.
Occasional overloading
This is often associated with uneven loading, causing most of the load to be carried over one axle or tire, or on one side, etc.
Machine operation
The way machines are driven can significantly reduce the
service life of the tires:
inappropriate driving: sudden acceleration, repeated
•
heavy braking, cornering at high speed;
• spinning of the drive wheels (scrapers during loading,
loaders at the quarry face).
Inappropriate driving damages the tires

Driving and loading machines in accordance with good practice
Training operators and monitoring the quality of their work are essential factors in ensuring that vehicles are driven correctly
and transport machines are loaded correctly.
Operators must:
• optimize the positioning of the various machines during loading at quarry faces;
• adapt their driving to the conditions of the site or each part of the site.
Loader operating between the loading and unloading points
INCORRECT
Trajectories
IN
CO CORRRREECCTT
Tr ajec
Traj tories
ecto ri es
CORRECT
Trajectories
Loading at a quarry face

Influence of the site roads,
key factors for tire service life
Design and maintenance of site roads

Designing suitable site haul roads Building site haul roads
The profile of site roads (in terms of length and width), When building site haul roads, turns must be banked
the shape and banking of bends and gradients all have a correctly so that the radius and gradient are compatible
considerable influence: with the speeds at which the dump trucks usually travel.
- on occasional overloading during use, when loaded Minimum radii must be suitable for the size of trucks and
machines travel uphill or downhill; tires.
- on tire scrub, increasing the possibility of separation
between the tread and the casing.
For traveling on non-banked curves, follow the instructions
in the table below:
For example:
Minimum radius Maximum speed
• when a loaded transport machine descends a slope, the
loading on the front axle increases in proportion to the 15 m 50 ft 8 km/h 5 mph
gradient of the slope;
25 m 80 ft 10 km/h 6 mph
• A straight but cambered site haul road significantly
increases: 50 m 165 ft 15 km/h 9 mph
- the load carried by the tires on the inside (of the truck 75 m 245 ft 20 km/h 12 mph
with twin tires);
- the lateral forces on the front axle. 100 m 330 ft 25 km/h 15 mph
200 m 655 ft 30 km/h 20 mph
Ensure site haul roads are regularly maintained
Cleaning loading areas and removing any obstacles (rocks
that have fallen off during transport, debris, etc.) limit the
risks of damage to tires (impacts, cuts, punctures, etc.).
Site roads with banked bends

Choose the right tires
Even the best tires will not be totally satisfactory unless:
• the right tire is chosen for both the vehicle and the TIP
conditions of use;
•
they are mounted and used in accordance with the Michelin technicians can carry out studies
manufacturer’s recommendations. of sites at the request of machine users and
recommend the most suitable tire fitments
for each type of equipment used on-site.
Length and duration of cycles

Long cycles encourage high speeds (especially on well-maintained site roads) and therefore significant temperature rises
inside tires.
This may also occur if a vehicle’s running time is much longer than its standing time (waiting, loading).
Factors influencing
the service life of tires
APPLICATIONS
Climatic conditions
Nature and gradient of the site road
Cycle length
Site haul road design
Design of the bends
Machine type and size PROCESS
Cornering speed Procedures
Average speed Frequency of overloading
Density of the materials transported Maximum speed
Distribution of the load Operator skill
Position of the wheel on the vehicle Machine behavior
T IRE SERVICE LIFE

Tire structure Maintenance of site roads
Type of tread pattern Maintenance of loading areas
Tread depth Maintenance of unloading areas
Choice of tire Inflation pressure monitoring
Inspection of machines
TYPE OF TIRE Regular tire inspections
Tire repair
Regrooving
Retreading
MAINTENANCE

11
Machine
inspection
82 Introduction
83 Alignment
84 Suspension
Machine inspection 81
MACHINE
INSPECTION
Tires are subjected to the stresses placed

on them by the machines on which they
are mounted and by the roads over which
they are driven.
Not only does the maintenance of the roads

on which they are driven affect the performance
of tires, but also how the machines on which
they are mounted are maintained.
Axle geometry (alignment, camber), adjustment

and condition of the suspension are all extremely
important parameters.
Since the camber cannot generally be directly

adjusted on earthmover machines, this chapter
concentrates on the adjustment of the alignment
and the suspension.
82
Alignment
What is alignment?
Alignment refers to the angle (viewed from above) formed

by the wheels on the same axle.
To maximize their lifetime, tires must remain as well-aligned
as possible when running, both when the machine is loaded
and when it is unloaded.
Toe-in Toe-out
Possible alignment faults:
• "toe-in,” when the distance between the front of the
wheels is less than that between the rear of the wheels;
• "toe-out," when the distance between the rear of the
wheels is less than that between the front of the wheels.
The recommended toe-in/toe-out values are given in the
maintenance manual for each machine. It is not necessarily
“0” as:
• alignment measurements are taken while stationary,
preferably without any load and, if possible, with the
wheels off the ground;
• the toe-in/toe-out value may be the result of a compromise
between wear on the tire and behavior of the vehicle,
or between alignment when empty and when loaded. Alignment is adjusted with the wheels off the ground
Consequences of an alignment fault
Toe-in and toe-out lead to accelerated, uneven wear of the

tire on the shoulders: the outer shoulder in the case of toe-
in and the inner shoulder with toe-out. This is referred to as
"tapered" wear, with the characteristic presence of sharp
edges across the tread patterns.
This wear occurs even faster if the ground is adherent and

abrasive. This is why the tolerances are smaller for machines
traveling on asphalt roads than for those working on site
haul roads or loose soil.
Tapered wear
Adjusting the alignment
Alignment is only adjusted on the steering axles;

It is by nature fixed for a rigid axle.
The alignment is generally adjusted by altering the length

of the steering rod(s), which are usually threaded for this
purpose.
The manufacturer’s recommended toe-in/toe-out values are

given in the maintenance manual for each machine.
For vehicles with more than two axles (certain cranes and
straddle carriers), the alignment is adjusted by checking that
the axles are correctly aligned with each other.
Adjusting the alignment involves checking the alignment of the axles
Suspension
The only earthmover machines that have suspensions are rigid and articulated dumpers, straddle carriers and cranes.
Various different technologies are used to stiffen the suspension vertically: leaf or coiled springs, pneumatic or hydropneumatic
cylinders, etc.
With hydropneumatic suspension only, the stiffness can be adjusted by altering the inflation pressure. Any leakage of gas
or oil modifies the characteristics of the suspension.
Adjusting the suspension
The method varies according to the make and type of machine. It is specified in the maintenance manual for each machine.
It generally involves the following steps:

- place the machine on blocks, with the wheels off the ground;
- bleed the pressurized gas from the suspension components;
- top up the oil to the level recommended by the manufacturer;
- repressurize the suspension components to the recommended level by adding gas (generally nitrogen);
- place the machine back on the ground.
Correct adjustment can only be carried out in a workshop, using the appropriate equipment.
To adjust the suspension, the vehicle must be placed on blocks
84 Machine inspection
Detecting incorrect adjustment of the suspension
General method: look at the visible parts of the suspension cylinders

The vehicle must be parked empty on a flat, horizontal surface.
The difference in the length of the visible parts of the rods of the suspension cylinders on the same axle and/or the presence
of traces of oil on these cylinders can indicate the condition of the suspension.
Method for rigid dumpers: use weighing machines to check

the distribution of the loads on each tire
This method is very accurate, but complex. It consists of:
• measuring the load carried by each of the tires (or dual-tire fitments) on the machine, empty and loaded;
• then observing the distribution of the load
1st step : check the pressure of the tires.
2nd step : weigh the machine.
3rd step : determine the theoretical load carried by each tire or dual tire unit.
Method of calculating the load carried on each tire or twin-tire unit
For a given total load:

Load carried by the axle x Load carried by the side
Load carried by each tire or dual-tire unit =
Total load
A difference between this theoretical (calculated) load and the measured load indicates incorrect adjustment of the suspension.
Example
The theoretical distribution of the load is calculated by
The diagrams below are given for information purposes applying the formula described above:
only: for each position, the numbers indicate the loads
measured. • left front tire:
(69+51)x(69+120)
= 62 tons vs. 69 tons measured
(69+51+120+125)
69 T 51 T • right front tire:
(69+51)x(51+125)
(69+51+120+125)
• left rear dual-tire unit:
(120+125)x(69+120)
(69+51+120+125)
• right rear dual-tire unit:
(120+125)x(51+125)
120 T 125 T (69+51+120+125)
The theoretical loads do not correspond to the measured

The diagram opposite corresponds to the same truck loads: the suspension is therefore incorrectly adjusted.
after adjustment: the measured and calculated loads
are identical.
62 T 58 T
TIP
Michelin technicians can help you organize a weight

study and advise you on the method to use.
The load is not necessarily equally distributed

across two tires in dual. Factors such as overall
diameter and inflation pressure can impact
the distribution of the load between the tires 127 T 118 T
in dual.
Consequences of incorrect adjustment of the suspension
Incorrect adjustment of the suspension can lead to the
overloading of certain tires.
Although the wear on the tires may seem visually similar to

that of an alignment fault, there is a clear difference when
you touch them: there are no sharp edges.
Although incorrect camber (or incorrect adjustment of the

suspension) leads to significant shortening of the lifetime of
tires, the damage is less serious than that resulting from an
alignment fault. Positive camber Negative camber
Weighing a rigid dumper
Weighing scales installed Machine being weighed
Examples of possible adjustments for each type of machine
Machine Axle Alignment Camber Suspension Notes

(stiffness)
Loader
All positions
Forklift
truck
All positions * *Except the front,

non-steering axle
Scraper
All positions
Truck crane
and all-terrain Adjustment of the axle alignment
crane
generally possible
All positions *
*except for non-steering axles
Grader A command is used to adjust the axle
camber to compensate for the
Front
deviation caused by the work
of the blade
Rear
Reach
stacker
All positions * *Except the front,

non-steering axle
Straddle
carrier
*possible,
All positions * with hydropneumatic
suspension
Articulated
dumper
*possible,
All positions * with hydropneumatic
suspension
Rigid dumper
All positions * *except the rear,

non-steering axle
Easy adjustment Adjustment requiring return to the workshop and a longer time out of service Adjustment impossible
12
Inspecting tires
on vehicles
90 Introduction
91 Preliminary precautions
92 Procedure
94 Points to check
Inspecting tires on vehicles 89

INSPECTING
TIRES
ON VEHICLES
Inspecting the tires should be part

of the regular inspection of machines.
It is one of the major aspects of such
an inspection.
Vehicles that are out of action

due to unscheduled stoppages lead
to loss of production and result in
significant costs.
The best way to avoid such incidents is

to check the condition of vehicles and
to routinely examine the tires, wheels and
accessories associated with inflation (valves,
valve caps, inflation extensions, etc.) as part
of this check.
This inspection must be carried out in accordance with the

safety rules. Its relevance and effectiveness are dependent
on compliance with the recommended procedure.
THIS INSPECTION CONSISTS OF:

• locating any damage or initial stages of damage so that the tires can be
repaired while there is still time;
• assessing the wear on the tires in order to plan any necessary work
(rotation, repair, regrooving, retreading, etc.);
• deciding to demount the tire if it is considered to be worn out or dangerous;
• detecting incorrect adjustment of the vehicle’s wheel geometry
(alignment, camber, etc.) by observing the nature of the wear;
• and always checking the inflation pressure before setting off again.
Each of these points is covered in this chapter.
90
Preliminary precautions
Locating damage or initial stages of damage
Technician safety: do not forget anything!
All technicians carrying out vehicle inspections must wear

the following personal protection equipment:
• a hard hat;
• protective glasses;
• a vest or safety jacket with reflective strips;
• gloves;
• safety boots or shoes.
Personal protection equipment must be worn

when inspecting the tires on vehicles
Inspecting tires
Prerequisites:
vehicle not loaded, stationary and parking brakes engaged
- Whatever type of inspection is to be carried out, it is
preferable to work around a vehicle that is not loaded.
If it is necessary to work around loaded vehicles (for
example for weighing operations), the operators must stand
far enough away to be safe from any falling material, in
particular when the machine stops or restarts.
- The vehicle inspection must be carried out

with the engine off and the parking brakes
engaged.
The lock-out/tag-out procedure must be used.
If the vehicle does not have a padlock, it is
essential that the driver get out of the machine
before any work is carried out on the tires.
If there is a safety padlock, it must be locked

During the inspection: beware of blind spots!
Blind spots are potential sources of danger.
10 m
36 1 m
33 ft
The area that cannot be seen increases with the size of
ft
m
1
1549 ft
the vehicle. It is proportionally larger than the size of the 20 m
6 2 0 ft
66 ft
m
machine would lead you to believe. 6m 23 m
20 ft 76 ft
When the inspection of the tires on the largest machines

(used in mines and quarries) requires them to be moved,
the technician has to work outside the operator’s field of
vision. For this reason, it is preferable to use a team of two 68 m
223 ft
technicians:
20 m
• the technician carries out the examination; 66 ft
• the coordinator stands in front of the vehicle all the time,

clearly visible to the operator, to inform the operator when Blind spots around very large dumpers
the vehicle needs to be moved.
When the inspection has been completed, both technicians

stand together on the left of the vehicle (cab side). The
coordinator can then inform the driver that the vehicle is
ready to leave.
The regulations of operating sites generally

define the safety protocol to be followed when
inspecting vehicles.
Strict compliance with this protocol is essential.
The vehicle is released, both technicians are standing to the side
Procedure
Essential tools
The following equipment is required for inspecting a vehicle:

- flashlight;
- tire chalk;
- measuring tape;
- tread depth gauge;
- calibrated pressure gauge;
- combination pliers;
- spreader pliers;
- probe (or screwdriver for inspecting large tires).
The vehicle inspection must be carried out with the engine off
and the parking brakes engaged
92 Inspecting tires on vehicles

Work around the vehicle: strict compliance with this procedure is important!
To ensure an inspection is thorough, it is divided into
three steps which must always be carried out in the order
indicated:
Step A:
Ensure the vehicle is safe and identify it.
First and foremost, comply with the protocol defined in the
internal regulations of the site.
If there is no such protocol, or in addition to the protocol,
refer to the recommendations given in the previous section
on making the vehicle safe.
1 Identify the vehicle (number, license plate, etc.) and read
its mileage (or the hour meter) as well as the information
available in the cab (check the indicators that monitor the
essential functions of the machine).
Forklift truck with telescopic mast

Step B:
Inspect the tires at the various positions.
Each position is equipped with single- or dual-tire fitments,
depending on the vehicle type.
For example:
• a rigid dumper has single-tire fitments at the front and
dual-tire fitments at the rear;
• a reach-stacker is the other way around: dual-tire fitments
at the front and single-tire fitments at the rear.
The inspection is carried out by walking round the vehicle
clockwise. At each position, the wheel (rim + tire) or the
dual fitment is inspected closely, not forgetting to look at
the suspension components on the opposite side.
2 Start by inspecting the left front position;
3 Then the right front;
4 Followed by the right rear;
5 And finally the left rear.
Step C:
Inspecting the tires on a forklift truck with telescopic mast
End of the inspection.
6 Check that nothing has been left on the ground around
the vehicle
• Move away from the vehicle on the driver’s cab side;
• Stand far enough away from the vehicle to be completely
visible to the driver;
• Inform the driver that the inspection is complete.
Start with the left front tire, then work around the vehicle

Points to check
On the tire
Step 1: Inspect the outer sidewall and take a note of the
serial number of the tire.
Step 2: Check the pressure (finding an incorrect pressure
may help with the analysis in the next step).
Step 3: Look at the tread, its appearance, whether or not
the wear is even and check for the presence of any damage
that may reach the crown plies.
Step 4: Check the tread depth, taking measurements at the
center of the tread and on the inner and outer shoulders of
the tire.
Step 5: Inspect the tire’s inner sidewall.
Check the appearance of the tread
For dual tire units

The inspection protocol is identical to that described
previously, starting with the outer tire.
See also the "Duals usage" chapter (in particular: the safety
aspects).
To remove an object trapped between the two tires, it is

essential to deflate both tires.
It may sometimes be necessary to demount the wheels.
Any object that is trapped between a dual tire

unit presents a risk: it may be ejected with
considerable force at any time by the pressure
exerted by the tires.
Check there are no objects trapped between the tires of a dual tire unit
What should you do with a damaged tire?

The answer to this question depends on how much the tire • serious damage (carcass visible): send immediately for
is worn and the severity of the damage. This is why the repair if repairable or, if the tire is too worn, scrap it
inspection must be carried out by a technician trained to immediatly.
do this:
• minor damage to rubber(non-visible plies)
- if the tire has already been used for some time, leave it in
Should you repair a tire with minor damage
use on condition that the damage is inspected regularly:
or leave it in use?
it is always possible that it may worsen gradually or very
The more expensive the tire is to buy and/or the
quickly;
less worn it is, the more cost-effective it is to carry
- if the tire is still relatively new, get a preventive repair
out a preventive repair.
carried out (see the "Repairing tires" chapter).

On the wheel
Check:
• that there are no cracks or serious damage of the rim;
• that the wheel nuts are tightened correctly.
Note any traces of oil:

they may indicate a leak
Check the wheel
On the vehicle
If the vehicle has rock ejectors, check that they do not
rub excessively on the tires’ sidewalls. Check their general
condition (rock ejectors not bent, sharp edges).
Check the rock ejectors
Check the inflation

pressure
Before checking this, remove any dirt from the valve and
clean the end of the valve to prevent the inner mechanism
(the valve core) from becoming clogged with small stones
falling into the valve stem.
To check the inflation pressure, the technician must wear

protective glasses and use a calibrated pressure gauge.
Clean the valve before checking the pressure
This operation should ideally be carried out when the tires

are cold
Tires are considered to be cold when they are checked after
the machine has been stopped for a long time. The larger
the tire, the longer the stoppage time required.
If the pressure measured differs from the recommended
pressure by more than 10%, it must be corrected as quickly
as possible.
If the pressure is abnormally low, test for a leak by covering

the suspect areas, in particular the valve and the valve
base, with soapy water. Check that the valve cap is in place,
in good condition and tightened (by hand). Change it if
it is faulty as it ensures the airtightness of the assembly.
The pressure when cold must not differ from the recommended level
by more than +/- 10%

If the operation is carried out while the tires are warm
Tires are considered to be warm when they are checked
while the vehicle is in use.
The measured pressure must be higher than the pressure
recommended for the same tire when cold. Never deflate a warm tire.
If the vehicle has been used under normal conditions prior
to stopping, the difference between the measured pressure
and the recommended pressure must be no more than 25%
of the recommended pressure.
If the pressure is below the recommended value, look for
a possible leak.
Checking the pressures remotely

If tires are fitted with a pressure sensor they can be checked
remotely (without having to stop the machine).
MICHELIN® MEMS®4 is a powerful monitoring tool for

tires and usage conditions. It combines downtime-fighting
features, innovative equipment and seamless connectivity
to increase profits and reduce downtime by protecting your
people, tires and equipment. (See the «Factors affecting the
service life of tires» chapter)
With MEMS, you can check the pressure of the tires remotely
without having to stop the machines
Measuring tire wear

This must be carried out at the points specified by the
manufacturer.
Beware: the locations may differ from one tread pattern to
another.
To obtain an exact assessment of tire wear, the tread depth

must be measured at several equidistant tread depth
indicators included around the entire circumference of the
tread, at both the center and the shoulders.
A widely differing tread depth (difference of more than

10%) between the two sides of the tread may indicate
misalignment of the wheel set concerned (see the "Machine
inspection" chapter).
Uneven wear on the circumference may be an indication

of a mechanical problem. Measure the remaining tread depth at the indicated locations, in several places
TIP
Michelin technicians have an in-depth knowledge

of the vehicle inspection process.
Contact them if you need their advice.
Location of the wear indicators on

a MICHELIN® XHA® 2 tire

13
Inspecting
demounted tires
98 Introduction
99 Full assessment and action

to be taken
100 Tire inspection tools and procedure
Inspecting demounted tires 97

INSPECTING
DEMOUNTED TIRES
It is essential to inspect tires regularly both

in terms of safety and in order to reduce operating
costs.
Regular careful, detailed inspection of tires
when they are swapped over on machines
will improve their lifetime.
Tire inspections must follow a rigorous procedure

and must be carried out by a technician equipped
with the appropriate personal protection
equipment.
Depending on the condition of the tires, the possible
conclusions are:
• send the tires for repair or retreading;
• select new tires more suitable for
the conditions of use;
• take steps to improve the operating conditions,
to reduce the frequency and severity of damage.
98
Full assessment
and action to be taken
Inspecting the bead of a mining tire
When should a tire be taken out of use?

Tires must always be demounted when:
• they are worn out;
• they are damaged, as they are a potential hazard for people and equipment.
It is strongly advised to use handling equipment that is appropriate for the size of the tire to demount it from the vehicle.
What should you do with

the tire after you have
inspected it thoroughly?
If the tire is in good condition and has not yet reached its
usage limit:
• either remount it on the vehicle;
• or put it into stock.
If the tire is damaged:

• demount it from the rim;
• send it to the repair or retreading workshop;
• scrap it, with possible recycling, in accordance with current
local environmental regulations.
What are the causes

of damage?
Asking a qualified technician to carry out a thorough
inspection of demounted tires often helps to understand
what has caused the damage.
If you can identify the cause, you can remedy or lessen its
effects by setting up an improvement plan.
So, although it is sometimes
inconvenient, systematic inspection of
Take advantage of operations to rotate tires to inspect them
demounted tires is essential for the good
management of a stock of tires.

Tire inspection tools
and procedure
Handling equipment Immobilization of the tire

during inspection
Most operations require the use of appropriate handling For safety reasons, the inspection should preferably be
equipment as a safety precaution. carried out with the tire placed horizontally on the ground.
It is, however, possible to carry out an inspection with the
Use of the following equipment is recommended, depending
tire vertical, as long as it is immobilized to prevent it rolling
on the size of the tire and the equipment available on-site:
or falling over.
- a forklift truck;
- a loader; The blocks used to immobilize the tire must therefore be
- a crane fixed on the platform of a truck. checked regularly.
It is preferable to fit the equipment with a tire handler.
Loader equipped with tire handler Forklift truck equipped with tire handler
Inspection of a tire by a technician Inspecting the interior of the tire, an essential step
The regulations of operating sites generally define the safety protocol to be followed when
inspecting vehicles. Strict compliance with this protocol is essential.
When handling and inspecting tires, always wear personal protection equipment
(hard hat, glasses, gloves and safety shoes).
100 Inspecting demounted tires

Tools
To carry out an inspection, you need the following equipment:
- flashlight;
- measuring tape;
- tread depth gauge;
- spreader pliers;
- probe (or screwdriver for inspecting large tires);
- tire chalk.
Probe Spreader pliers
7-step tire inspection procedure

Preliminary step:
In order to be able to inspect all parts of the tire correctly, it must be cleaned before inspection.
At every step, carry out a visual inspection and feel the tire, looking for any distortions, tears, cracks, damage, sharp edges
(rough to the touch), etc.
PROCEDURE
1 Tread and shoulder of the tire, 5
to ascertain its conditions of use.
1 2
2 Exterior of the first sidewall.
3 Interior of the opposite sidewall.
(up to the center of the tread)
4 Bead of the first sidewall. 3 6

5 Exterior of the second sidewall.
6 Interior of the first sidewall. 4 7
(up to the center of the tread)
7 Bead of the opposite sidewall.
TIP
Michelin technicians can provide you with
additional information on request.
Cutting up a tire to inspect it

It may be necessary to cut up a tire to determine the exact origin of damage.
This operation, which can be dangerous, must only be carried out by a qualified technician,
equipped with special protection equipment and with the appropriate tools.

14
Repairing
tires
104 Introduction
105 Organization
of the repair workshop
106 Repair methods
Repairing tires 103

REPAIR
The harsh conditions in which earthmover
tires are used often cause slight, and
occasionally serious, damage.
MICHELIN® Earthmover tires can,

under certain conditions, be repaired:
this possibility is built in at the design stage.
Repairing a tire is a matter for professionals.

The repairer is always solely responsible
for the quality of the work on the tire.
ADVANTAGES
Real savings and protection of the environment
Repairing a tire extends its life. If it were not repaired, it would be scrapped.
Two important consequences:
- considerable savings made on tire expenditure;
- helping to protect the environment by delaying scrapping.
104
Organization
of the repair workshop
Equipment layout
It must:
• ensure optimum productivity and safety by limiting how much
operators have to move around, by optimizing intermediate stock and
also by the choice of lighting, ventilation, etc.
• enable the area to be organized into two separate flows to avoid any
risk of contamination of tires while they are being repaired:
➜ incoming material flow: cleaned casings, repair products
➜ outgoing material flow: repaired tires, waste materials
"Contaminated" area
Organization
of the workshop: "Clean" area
safety 1 Initial inspection

and efficiency 2 Tire preparation
4 3 Product preparation
3 table
4 Skive filling
5 Curing
6 Tires awaiting final
inspection
7 Storage of repair
5 products
7
2
The workshop must be dry and well-ventilated

and should be divided into two areas:
• a "contaminated" area for inspecting and
skiving. It is therefore essential for this area to
be fitted with a dust extractor.
• a "clean" area for the next stages in the repair
process.
If an autoclave or any other powerful heat
source is used, keep the skive filling and curing
areas separate.
Repairing tires 105
Repair
methods
Cold cure repair or hot cure repair: which products should you use?
The following items are required for repairing a tire: Repairs are carried out using the "cold cure" or "hot cure"
process.
• filler rubber to fill in the damage;
Each of these processes involves the use of specific products,
• bonding rubber to provide a good bond between the which are not compatible for use in the other process or at
repair products and the repaired tire; the same time (mixing of rubbers for example).
• patches and repair pieces of the right sizes for the damage. The "cold cure" or self-curing repair process does not
These are used to strengthen the structure of the tire and require any external heat source other than that of the
restore the air-tightness of the casing; surrounding environment (as long as the temperature is
64°F • 18°C or more).
•
Mushroom-shape pieces, specifically used to plug any
perforation-type damage; The "hot cure" repair process requires the addition of
external heat to cure the rubber and create the bonds
• rubber solution products to promote adhesion between
between the various components. The products must be
the various products.
suitable for the equipment used, and it is essential to keep
strictly to the recommended temperatures.
•
Only use products that are compatible
with one another. The best approach is
therefore to use products from the same
manufacturer.
• Ensure patches are applied the right way
up and facing the right direction.
Before repair After repair
106 Repairing tires

Considerations for repair
• Examine the damage: feasibility of repair • Size of the damage: repairability of the tire
The type of damage, its position on the tire and its proximity The size of the damage, defining the dimensions of the
to other damage will determine the feasibility of carrying repair, will determine the repairability of the tire and, if it is
out a repair. repairable, the materials and products to use.
The patches to be used will vary according to the size of the • Repair dimensions: a determining factor in the choice of
damage. patches
They must always be measured after preparation of the tire.
The time it takes for the repaired area to cure depends on the process used (temperature, pressure), the characteristics
of the products used and their thickness. If no indication is given, contact the supplier of the products concerned.
Tools
For checking
- flashlight;
- spreader pliers;
- cutting pliers;
- grease chalk or indelible marker;
- tape measure.
For skiving
- high-speed air grinder (for cords);
- low-speed air grinder (for rubber);
-set of suitable skiving/milling cutters and grinding
wheels.
For repairing
- knife;
- scissors;
- roller.
For curing the repair: the tools required depend

on the method used.
Demounting is essential: all tires MUST be deflated, demounted and removed from their rims before carrying
out any repair operations.
Secure the tire: before starting any work, the tire must be firmly fixed to prevent it from rolling or falling over.
Check that tires are securely fixed: after every handling operation and periodically during repair.
Curing with a thermopress Curing in autoclave
Repairing tires 107

Stages in the repair process
1 Initial inspection: can the tire be repaired?

A tire can be repaired if:
- the damage is located on a repairable part of the tire
(see the “Inspecting tires” chapter);
- the size of the damage is within the repairability dimensions
defined by the manufacturers of the repair products;
- there is no other damage too close to the damage under
consideration.
Initial inspection
2 Tire preparation: cleaning the damage

Purpose: to remove damaged cords and any cut rubber.
This is carried out on the inside and the outside of the tire, in
and around the damaged area.
After preparation of the damage, prepare the area for the
application of the repair products (shape, grain, etc.).
Tire preparation
3 Checking: after preparation, is the tire still repairable?

Final check to decide on the repairability of the tire:
measure the dimensions of the damage to check that they are
still within the maximum limits given by the manufacturers of
the repair products.
Checking and measurements
4 Dust removal and application of rubber solution

Dust is removed from the prepared area, then a rubber
solution (mixture of rubber + solvent) is applied.
Application of rubber solution
108 Repairing tires

5 Preparation of the repair products
The repair products must be chosen according to:
- the repair method used;
- the dimensions of the damage.
They are prepared and adjusted to the size of the damage.
Preparation of the repair products
6 Application
The patch (or mushroom-shape piece) is put in position then
rolled onto the inner surface of the tire.
If necessary, rubber repair solution is applied to the outer
surface of the damage.
Follow the manufacturer’s application instructions printed on
the patch (direction of application).
Application
7 Curing: cold cure or hot cure

Depending on the method chosen, the curing is carried out:
- cold, at ambient temperature;
- hot, in an oven, an autoclave or by sectional heating
or by heating a specific sector; the materials must be able to
maintain pressure on the patch and rubber.
Curing using sectional press
Never repair tires with the following

types of damage:
• exposed or deformed bead wire;
Protection of operators • damage by greasy substances, solvents or
At every stage in the operation (from handling corrosive products;
tires through to their repair), the operator • damage outside the repair areas indicated by the
must wear personal protection equipment: manufacturer and/or outside the limits given by
safety shoes, gloves, glasses, a mask and the manufacturer of the repair products.
ear protection.
Repairing tires 109

15
Regrooving
112 Introduction
113 Regrooving and siping
114 General principles
115 Regrooving and siping guidelines
Regrooving 111
REGROOVING
Regrooving consists of removing some of

the remaining rubber from the tread of a tire
which has become worn in order to recreate
the original tread patterns and thus extend
its operational life.
While this is carried out routinely on truck tires,
regrooving of earthmover tires is only possible
on tires intended for use on truck cranes.
They are marked "regroovable" on their sidewalls.
Regrooving is recognized by the international
standards (R 54 regulations in the EC and FMVSS
119 in the U.S.).
It MUST be done by qualified technicians, in
accordance with clearly defined procedures.
It must comply with the current regulations in the
country in which the regrooved tire is to be used.
These regulations generally define the minimum
tread depths when worn tires are removed from
service and the restrictions on mounting regrooved
tires on the various axles.
112
Regrooving and siping
Definitions
Siping and regrooving

- either removing the bridges linking the tread blocks in - or cutting the groove base down to the depth given by
order to improve traction. the regroove depth indicator. The regrooving consists to
This operation is carried out when there is 0.20 in (5 mm) of extend the life of the tire.
tread remaining for wear. This operation is carried out when there is #0.10 in (# 2 à
3 mm) of tread remaining for wear.
Regrooving can only be carried out on truck crane tires; for example, MICHELIN® XGC® and MICHELIN® X-CRANE®
or X-CRANE® + tires.
The aim is to reproduce the tire’s original tread pattern.
Siping
Siping consists of making cuts in a tire tread without
removing any material to improve grip.
Tires designed to be regrooved are marked

"Regroovable" on their sidewalls (R 54 and
FMVSS 119 regulations).
If this is not marked on the tire, then the
tire is not regroovable.
Benefits of regrooving
• As the tread pattern is partially restored, it significantly
extends the lifetime of the tire (by up to 20%) and restores
adhesion.
• It enables the tire to be used to its maximum potential and
helps in particular to reduce its operating cost: improving
mileage at a time in the tire’s life when its rolling resistance
is at its lowest.
Regrooving extends the life of the tire
Limitations
It is not advisable to regroove a tire if:
• the tread shows significant signs of damage: punctures, large
numbers of cuts, pieces of tread pattern torn off, oxidation and
corrosion of the plies, etc.;
• when inspected, the metal crown plies are visible or cuts can be First 2 digits = month; last 2 digits= year
seen on them;
• tires are over 10 years old.
Regrooving 113
General principles
Only tires with sufficient rubber available can be regrooved!

To ensure that regrooving will not adversely affect their solidity or strength, regroovable tires are designed with an additional
thickness of rubber between the groove base and the crown plies.
Regroove depth
indicator
Groove Tire wear
base indicator Regrooved
Wear profile profile
for regrooving
Original
profile
- - - - - - - - -- -- -- - - - - - - - -
-- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - - - -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
mm(#0.1in)
Crown
plies -
Rubber protecting the crown plies Depth of rubber to be regrooved
Precautions to be taken
Tire regrooving should preferably be
• Before regrooving, the tire must be placed on a support
done after tire removal from the vehicle.
fitted with a non-return ratchet, which both holds it
in position (to prevent any risk of its toppling over) and However, the tire does not need to be
allows it to be rotated as the regrooving is carried out. demounted from the rim, but it is
• Personal protection equipment must be worn to ensure recommended to reduce the tire pressure
safety during regrooving: protective glasses, gloves and to 2 bar for security reasons.
safety shoes.
Never regroove a tire that is more than

10 years old
How to regroove a tire
Use the right equipment: Set the blade to a regrooving depth that will enable an
• a portable transformer; adequate thickness of rubber to be retained to protect the
crown plies.
• a blade holder;
• removable blades. 0.1 to 0.2 in 0.2 to 0.4 in 0.2 to 0.5 in 0.4 to 0.6 in 0.4 to 0.7 in
(3 to 5 mm) (5 to 11 mm) (7 to 13 mm) (9 to 16 mm) (11 to 18 mm)
cutting width cutting width cutting width cutting width cutting width
R1 R2 R3 R4 R5
2
3 1 Only "R3"-type rounded blades are
generally used for earthmover tires.
2
1 Blade holder 2 Removable blades 3 Regrooving gauge
114 Regrooving
Regrooving dimensions and setting the blade
A regroove depth indicator, located in the groove base, is
used to measure the height of the remaining rubber. This
measurement is used to set the height of the blade, so as to
leave at least 0.10 in (2 mm) of rubber protecting the crown
plies.
Blade height Regrooving blade holder

setting
2
Regrooving too deeply may cause damage

Regrooving width or expose the metal crown plies in the groove base,
which will lead to immediate scrapping of the tire.
1 Blade holder 2 Removable blades
Regrooving and
siping guidelines
Regrooving and siping guidelines for the MICHELIN® XGC® tire
Improving traction by siping Improving tire service life: regrooving
• Remove the crosswise bridges (in the center, shown in Carry out lengthwise regrooving (grooves) down to a depth
blue) and those on the shoulders (on the sides, shown in corresponding to that measured at the regroove depth
blue), down to the groove base. indicator.
• Only remove the bridges linking the tread blocks.
Tire wear indicator Regroove depth indicator
Crosswise siping
Lengthwise regrooving
Regrooving 115
Regrooving and Siping guidelines for the MICHELIN ® X-CRANE ® + tire
Improving traction: transversal grip

• Remove the bridges on the shoulders (shown in blue) down to the groove base.
• Only remove the bridges linking the tread blocks on the shoulders.
Bridges
Lengthwise
groove
Tread a
blocks
MICHELIN® X-CRANE®: regroove depth indicator

(at the top), tire wear indicator (at the bottom)
Shoulder Shoulder
(a) Width of the bridges on the shoulders
Improving tire traction: regrooving

Carry out lengthwise regrooving (grooves) and crosswise regrooving (center and shoulder bridges) down to a depth
corresponding to that measured at the regroove depth indicator.
Tread
blocks
7 mm (a)
(a) : largeur de règlage de la lame = lar

a Lame de type R3
MICHELIN® X-CRANE® with the bridges on the shoulders

b and the lengthwise grooves in the center regrooved
(bridges in the center and outer lengthwise grooves not regrooved)
Shoulder Shoulder
Lengthwise regrooving
(a) Width of the bridges on the shoulders
Puit de recreusage
(b) Cutting width = original width of the groove
Recreusage sillon longitudinal
transversal
ou usure (b)
To find out which tread patterns are regroovable and the appropriate dimensions, refer to the regrooving guidelines available
at www.earthmover.com.
4 mm
Michelin has published specific documentation on regrooving earthmover tires. (
Michelin technicians can provide you with this on request. Bande de roulement dan
(b) : largeur du taillage = largeur d

(c) : rayon de la lame de type R3
116 Regrooving
Siping: an operation specific to earthmover tires
Siping is principally carried out in order to improve performance in wintry conditions and to increase safety. It can only be
done on certain types of tire, one of which is the MICHELIN® X TERMINAL-T®.
Siping guidelines for the MICHELIN® X TERMINAL-T® tire

Make parallel cuts in the crosswise grooves (without removing rubber)
to a depth measured at the level of the tire wear indicators (1.2 in - 30 mm for
a new tire) and spaced 0.2 in (5 mm) apart.
These cuts must be at the same angle as the initial tread pattern and evenly
distributed over the whole surface of the tread.
TIP
Michelin technicians can, on request,
advise you.
Regrooving 117
16
Retreading
tires
120 Introduction
121 retreading,
a complex industrial process
121 Organization of the workshop
122 Uncured rubber

or pre-molded treads…
the difference is in the building
and curing!
123 Retreadability conditions
124 Curing,
an important stage in retreading
125 Performance and economic benefit
126 Stages in the retreading process
Retreading tires 119

RETREADING
A “second life”
for your tires?
Retreading a tire consists of removing
the worn tread and replacing it with
a new one.
The performance of a retreaded tire can be very
similar to that of an equivalent new tire. This is
why it is often said that retreading gives a tire
a “second life.”
Retreading worn tires also can help to:
- reduce vehicle operating costs;
- protect the environment
(lower consumption of new tires,
scrapping of the casing is postponed).
Incorporating retreading as a factor in tire stock
management requires the implementation of good
practices designed to maintain the retreadability of the
casings, right from the start of the “first life”
of the tires.
Earthmover tires must only be retreaded by retreading
professionals, who have an in-depth knowledge
of the techniques specific to this type of tire.
120
Retreading, a complex
industrial process
Whichever process is used, the tire being retreaded passes through
the following stages:
REJECTED
TIRE RETURNED MACHINING
TIRE NOT
RETREADABLE
SELECTION INITIAL SKIVING
INSPECTION
TIRE
RETREADABLE APPLIC. OF
RUBBER SOLUTION
CLEANING
PREPARATION
OF PATCHES SKIVE FILLING
BUILDING
DELIVERY OF PRODUCT
Retreading workshop RETREADED TIRE CONFORMS
CURING
PRODUCT DOES FINAL

NOT CONFORM INSPECTION FINISHING
RETREADABLE?
RECYCLING
Stages in the retreading process
Organization of the workshop
Contaminated area
Clean area
1 Storage of tires for retreading

2 Initial inspection
3 Machining
4 Skiving
5 Application of rubber solution
6 Skive filling
7 Building
8 Preparation table
9 Autoclave (pre-curing)
10 Presses (hot curing)
11 Tires awaiting finishing
12 Finishing and final inspection
13 Retreaded tires awaiting dispatch
14 Storage of repair products
15 Storage of retreading products
16 Storage of molds
17 Power plant

Uncured rubber or
pre-molded treads…
the difference is in the building
and curing!
Depending on the process chosen, uncured rubber or pre-molded treads is used.
The difference between these two types of retreading is principally at the building and curing stages.
RETREADING IN MOLD RETREADING

WITH UNCURED WITH PRE-MOLDED TREAD
RUBBER
PRE-CURED SECTIONS OF
LAYERED PROFILED CALENDERED FLAT PRE-MOLDED RING
STRIPS BANDS BANDS TREAD TREADS
TREADS
TRIMMING CURING IN AN
CURING + AUTOCLAVE
IN A CURING IN AN +
CURING IN AN AUTOCLAVE
PRESS AUTOCLAVE TRIMMING
Whichever process is used,

it is not advisable to retread
earthmover tires that are more
than 10 years old.
Applying layered strips Applying a calendered band
122 Retreading tires

Retreadability
conditions
First condition: "the tire must be designed for retreading"!
For a tire to be retreadable, this possibility must have been
incorporated right from the design stage.
MICHELIN® XGC ® and MICHELIN ® X-CRANE ®
tires for use on truck cranes cannot
Most earthmover tires are retreadable. There are however
be retreaded.
a few exceptions, generally connected with the conditions
of use of these tires.
The giant tires mounted on rigid dump TIP

trucks used on mining sites can only
be retreaded after an in-depth initial Michelin technicians can provide
inspection which includes non-destructive you with information on the
testing (shearography, scanning, retreadability of all MICHELIN®
ultrasonic tests, etc.). earthmover tires.
Second condition: a tire with no major damage at the end of its “first life”
A worn tire can only be retreaded if it has not suffered any
irreparable damage: running flat, heat buildup, overloading,
underinflation, damage outside the repair limits, pollution
by chemicals, etc.
This is why, if you want to be able to retread tires, you
must pay particular attention to their conditions of use An earthmover tire can generally only
throughout their “first life.“ be retreaded twice.
Third condition: agree to slightly

shortening the tire’s “first life”
Retreading an earthmover tire involves withdrawing it from
use a little earlier (when there is still approximately 10% of
the original tread depth remaining).
This is necessary for subsequent good quality retreading.
A tire that is too worn cannot be retreaded
Fourth condition: retread with a similar tread pattern to that

of the new tire
The architectures of MICHELIN® tires have been developed to provide the best possible performance for a given use.
This is why it is preferable to retread a MICHELIN tire with a similar tread pattern to the original one and to use the retreaded
tire for the same purpose as the original tire.
Inspect the tires on-site before sending them for retreading.
To reduce the risk of the casing being rejected at the initial inspection on entering the retreading workshop, it is advisable
to carry out a detailed inspection of the worn tire on-site, before dispatch.

Curing,
an important stage in retreading
The curing process differs according to the type of retreading being carried out:
Curing in a press Curing in an autoclave

Pressure is applied in a curing chamber placed inside the tire The pressure and temperature are produced directly by the
and inflated with hot water or pressurized air. autoclave, which is heated by steam.
The temperature is produced by steam or by electric heating There are two options:
elements. - with an uncured mixing (profile or strip), a trimming
This type of curing enables simultaneous curing and molding operation is carried out before or after curing to create the
of the uncured mixings to create the tread pattern. tread pattern;
- with a cured mixing (pre-molded tread), curing merely
cures the bonding rubber applied between the casing and
the pre-molded tread.
Curing in a press Curing in an autoclave
Curing Advantages Disadvantages
• High capital cost (press + molds)

• Better appearance
In a press • Longer service life of the retreaded tire
• Limited choice of tread patterns
Uncured rubber (associated with the capital costs of molds)
• Lower cost (large batches)
• Periodic maintenance of the molds
• Simultaneous curing of several repaired
In an autoclave and/or retreaded tires
• Labor-intensive (trimming)
Uncured rubber • Appearance of retreaded tire not as good
• Lower capital cost (vs. press)
• Wider choice of tread patterns
In an autoclave • Capital cost
• Joints on tread
Pre-molded treads • Less choice of sizes
• Lower cost (small batches)
Curing protocol or how to control three important parameters

There are three essential parameters for curing, which make up what is commonly known as the "curing protocol."
• Pressure: essential for bonding the interfaces (avoiding the formation of bubbles), penetration of the rubber in the cord plies
and molding;
• Temperature: necessary for curing (and changing the state of) the uncured products;
• Curing time: allows the thermal and mechanical effects to reach their maximum effectiveness.
The curing protocol varies according to the

retreading process used, the type of curing selected
and the size of the tire.
As Michelin does not directly retread its earthmover tires, no express or implied warranty
is given concerning the performance of its retreaded tires.

Performance
and economic benefit
For the user who owns the retreaded tire
Factors affecting the service life of a retreaded tire

The service life depends on:
- the quality of the new tire and, in particular, the service life of the casing;
- the operating conditions during the tire’s “first life”;
- the care taken with the selection of the casings at the end of their “first life”;
- the expertise of the technicians responsible for the various stages in the retreading process;
- the quality of the retreading equipment and that of the products used.
Economic benefit of retreading

This is assessed by taking the following factors into account:
- the price charged by the retreader;
- the usage time of the tire’s two cycles (new + retreaded), known as the "Performance of the tire’s two lives";
- a combination of the two preceding factors: comparison of the hourly cost of the new tire used over one “life cycle”
with the hourly cost of the same tire used over two cycles (two lives: new + retreaded).
New tire used up to its wear limit New tire used then retreaded
Purchase price of the new tire ............................................................ A Purchase price of the new tire.................................................. A
Tread depth of the new tire (in mm or inches) ........................ B Tread depth of the new tire (in mm or inches).............. B
Cost per mm/inches of tread (new).......................................... C = A/B Remaining tread when withdrawn for retreading...... D = 10% X B
Cost of retreading (including logistics costs).................. E
Tread depth of the retreaded tire (in mm or inches).. F
Total tread depth used (new+retreaded).............................. G=B-D+F
Comparison of the cost of using a new tire with that Cost of mounting/demounting tire........................................ H
of a new+retreaded tire Cost per mm/inches of tread (new+retreaded)..... (A + E + H) / G
Economic benefit for the retreader

This depends on the industrial performance of the workshop,
which includes the following aspects:
- the logistics cost of collecting the casing and returning
it to the customer;
- organization of the workshop;
- performance of the retreading equipment;
- expertise of the operators and compliance with procedures;
-
the "manufacturing cost" associated with operator
performance;
- the "material cost" (repair + retreading): quality of the
materials used, thickness of rubber applied;
- the price of the retreading service, which is directly linked
to its quality, and thus to the professionalism of the
retreader.
The quality of the retreading carried out is dependent on the expertise

of the operators

Stages in the retreading process
1 Initial inspection: is the tire retreadable?

It is generally necessary to wash the casing before inspecting it.
The initial inspection consists of:
- as a matter of routine, an in-depth examination: carry out
a visual inspection and feel the casing (see the "Inspecting
demounted tires" chapter);
- if necessary, additional non-destructive testing: ultrasonic
tests, shearography, scanning, X-rays.
Initial inspection
2 Machining: expose the casing

The purpose of this is to:
- remove the remainder of the tread;
- give the crown and shoulders of the casing the appropriate
profile for retreading;
- give the machined surface the required roughness so that
the products used bond correctly with the casing during
retreading.
Machining
3 Repair: clean any damaged areas on the casing and

repair them
This comprises the following stages:
• skiving : removal of any unwanted items (embedded stones,
etc.) by brushing, cleaning any damage affecting the tire
rubber or the casing cords, whether these are on the crown,
the sidewalls, the lower part or inside the tire;
• removal of dust from the machined and skived casing;
Skiving • application of rubber solution: spraying a curing solution

onto the damaged areas which have been brushed and
cleaned;
• skive filling: application of filler rubber, bonding rubber,
patches, repair pieces and spot repairs in accordance with
the procedures established by the product manufacturers
themselves.
Repairs carried out in the context of preparing a casing for

retreading are generally on a smaller scale than those carried
out to deal with damage which occurs during the lifetime
of the tire.
However, the technique, tools and repair products used are
identical (see the "Tire repair" chapter).
Skive filling

4 Building: choose between uncured rubber and
pre-molded treads
The procedure varies according to the process and products used:
•
Uncured rubber: use of layered strips, profiled or
calendered bands;
• Pre-molded treads: use of pre-cured flat treads, sections of tread
or ring treads.
Building with a layered strip
5 Curing: giving the tire a new lease on life

Its purpose is to:
- ensure the internal cohesion of the components (i.e., that
the various components bond together);
- cure the uncured mixings (bonding, retreading and repair
rubber), resulting in an irreversible bond between the
casing and the various products added to it;
- and, for retreading in a press, molding the rubber in order
to create the tread pattern.
Curing
6 Finishing and final inspection: final stages before the

tire is put back into operation
The purpose of these is to check the external and internal
visual appearance of the tire, paying particular attention to
the repair of damaged areas and, for pre-cure retreading,
the appearance of the joints.
A blemish or non-conforming repairs will entail repetition of
all or part of the retreading cycle.
Final inspection
Never retread casings with

the following types of damage:
• exposed or deformed bead wire;
• damage by greasy substances, solvents
or corrosive products;
Protection of operators
• damage outside the repair areas indicated
At every stage in the operation
by the manufacturer and/or outside the
(from handling the tires through to their retreading),
limits given by the manufacturer of the
operators must wear personal protection equipment:
repair products.
safety shoes, gloves, glasses, a mask and ear protection.

17
Removal
due to wear
and
RECOVERY of
used tires
130 Introduction
131 Removal due to wear

AND RECOVERY OF USED TIRES
UPDATE PAGE NUMBERS
Removal recovery due to wear and of used tires 129

REMOVAL DUE
TO WEAR
AND RECOVERY
OF USED TIRES
As end of life subject to regulations...

SAE standard J2611 "Off-Road Tire Conditions
Removal Guidelines" defines the conditions
for removing tires from service at the end of life.
Michelin recommends following these guidelines
and underlines that, apart from a few special cases...
the owner of a tire is solely responsible for
the decision to keep a tire in use or remove it
from service.
It can also be a good idea to remove tires from use

early in order to repair or even retread them before
returning them to service.
In many countries most, if not all, used tires are now recovered:
second-hand tires, retreading, energy recovery and recycling
of materials.
Depending on their size, earthmover tires can be processed by
the recovery systems used for private vehicle, van and truck tires.
However, their recycling requires larger and more powerful
grinding installations than those used for other types of tire.
r
liapu
©a
130
Removal due to wear
What criteria should you use for deciding to remove a tire from service?
In view of the huge variety of earthmover tires and their
uses, it is impossible to give any rule other than the
obvious facts: a worn tire is one that has no visible tread
pattern left, or for those that are designed to be smooth,
tires on which the remaining rubber is not thick enough
to protect them against damage.
It may be necessary to remove a tire from service early:
• Temporarily, for it to be repaired or retreaded (see the
«Repairing tires» and «Retreading tires» chapters).
• Permanently, in the event of abnormal wear across or
around the tire, generally caused by incorrect adjustment
of machines (see the «Vehicle inspection» chapter) or by
their conditions of use (see the «Factors affecting the
lifetime of tires» chapter).
Conversely, some specific conditions of use may

occasionally enable the lifetime of tires to be
extended, even after there is no pattern left on
the tread. In this case, tires must be inspected at
regular, frequent intervals (see the «Inspecting
tires on vehicles» chapter).
Remove the tire when there is no tread pattern left
Removal recovery due to wear and of used tires 131

Michelin’s® recommendations
The conditions in which the tire is used (traction, resistance to wear,

From new damage, impact and pressure) are taken into account right from the
tire to groove design stage.
base The tire is designed to be used and maintain satisfactory performance,
right down to the level of the groove base.
Tires are commonly used down to this level of wear on many mining
sites. Such wear mainly affects the performance of the tire in terms of:
1 - Traction on soft or loose ground: following disappearance of the
tread pattern;
Increasing
2 - The crown’s resistance to damage: as there is no longer a sufficient
risk
thickness of rubber providing protection.
of
From groove It is possible to keep using the tire on hard ground if the conditions
rapid
base to the first of use are not harsh (nature of the ground, maintenance of site roads,
deflation
Protective Ply loading and speed).
If tires are kept in use, they must be checked more frequently. This level
of wear generally makes it impossible to retread the tires concerned.
From the first This practice, observed with certain mining tires, is the result of abnormal use.
Protective Ply The risks of deflation are significantly higher, even though the structure of the tire
to the first (the Working Ply) may not yet be damaged.
Working Ply It is highly inadvisable to keep using such a tire.
The structure of the tire is affected and there is a high risk of rapid deflation (bursting).
Working Ply visible
THIS TIRE MUST NOT BE KEPT IN USE.
Michelin very strongly recommends that decisions to remove used tires from service are always taken
in strict compliance with SAE standard J2611 "Off-Road Tire Conditions Removal Guidelines".
It is also underlined that the owner of a tire is solely responsible for the decision to keep it in use or
remove it from service (unless specifically agreed otherwise in the context of the above standard).
132 Removal recovery due to wear and of used tires

18
Machines
and their uses
135 Machine configurations
136 Machines for open-pit mines

and quarries
139 Machines for earthworks

and infrastructure sites
144 Machines specifically

for road construction
146 Mobile cranes
148 Machines for underground mines
150 Handling machines
157 Special machines
Machines and their uses 133

MACHINES
AND THEIR USES
This supplement provides a summary of the main
machines used in earthmoving applications.
It is not intended to replace the documentation and
technical recommendations of the manufacturers,
which remain the sole reference documents.
In order to select the most suitable tires, refer to

the following brochures:
”Michelin Solutions for Earthmover and Public Works, “
” RoRo Forklift Michelin Solutions for Industrial and
Port Handling, “ and ask a Michelin technician for advice.
Machine configurations p.139

Machines for open-pit mines
and quarries p.140
Rigid Dump Trucks
Bottom Dump Trucks
Coal haulers
Large Loaders Machines for underground mines p.152
Dozers, Rubber-wheel dozers
Support Machines
Large Motor Graders
Wheeled Loaders
Machines for earthworks
and infrastructure sites p.143 Dump Trucks
Small Dump Trucks Coal Haulers
Rigid Dump Trucks Shuttle Cars
Articulated Dump Trucks Handling machines p.154
Medium Loaders Front-Loading Forklift Trucks
Small Loaders Small and Medium Forklifts, Small and
Scrapers Medium Forklift Trucks
Motor Graders Large Forklifts, Large Forklift Trucks
Compact Machines RoRo Forklift, Forklift RoRo Trucks
Wheeled Excavators Container Handlers, Masted Lift Trucks
Backhoe Loaders Reach Stackers
Skid Steers Reach Loggers
Site Dumpers Fork Loggers
Telescopic Handlers Reach Loggers
Machines specifically Side Loaders
for road construction p.148 Straddle Carriers and Transtainers
Soil Stabilizers and Road Reclaimers Straddle Carriers
Planers, Asphalt Milling Machines Transtainers, Rubber-Tired Gantry (RTG) Cranes
Mobile Feeders for Asphalt Pavers Boat Lifter
Asphalt Pavers Special Tractors
Compactors, Rollers Terminal Tractors and RoRo Trucks
Mobile cranes p.150 Towbar and Towbarless Tractors
Truck Cranes (TC) Special machines p.161
All Terrain (AT) Cranes Railroad Loco-Tractors

City Cranes Slag Pot Carriers
Rough Terrain (RT) Cranes Girder Carriers, Span Carriers
Compact Industrial Cranes Road Trains
Mobile Harbor Cranes Special Intervention Vehicles
134
Machine configurations
RimRim
+ tire
+ Driving Steering Diagrammatic
Symbol*
tire
AXLE assemblies
POSITIONS AXLE
assemblies
POSITIONS AXLE
assemblies
POSITIONS representation
4x2 4 2 (2)
4x4 4 4 (2)
4x4x4 4 4 4
6x2 6 2 (2)
6x2 6 2 (2)
6x4 6 4 (2)
6x6 6 6 (2)
6x2x4 6 2 4
8x4 8 4 (2)
8x4x4 8 4 4
8x6x4 8 6 4
8x8 8 8 (2)
How to read this table?

– the first figure corresponds to the number of axle positions
– the second figure corresponds to the number of driven axle positions
– the third figure corresponds to the number of steer positions (this third number is optional and is
normally only used when more than one axle—2 steer positions—is used)

Machines for open-pit mines
and quarries
Main features of these types of application:
• Traveling on more or less well-maintained site roads;
• For dump trucks and loaders, intermittent transport cycles: the loaded operating time varies
from 30% to 70% of the total time.
Rigid Dump Trucks

Main uses
In open-pit mines, stone and sand quarries, transporting very heavy loads from the face to the crushing or processing stations.
Profile
Rigid dump trucks.
Axles
• Front steering axle, generally with single tire fitments. It is
very occasionally a drive axle and/or has dual- tire fitments.
• Rear drive axle, generally with dual-tire fitments.
A few rigid dump trucks have three axles. The two rear drive
axles are then mounted with single-tire fitments.
Important:
The capacity of the loaders (or excavators) must be Payload
appropriate for that of the means of transport used. 33 to 400 U.S. tons (30 to 360 tons).
This is a key factor for operational productivity.
Maximum speed
It depends on the number of loading passes required to
• Empty: 50 mph (80 km/h).
reach the maximum payload of the rigid dump trucks
(3 to 5 in mines, more in quarries). • Loaded: 40 mph (65 km/h).
Bottom Dump Trucks

Main uses Profile
• The method of unloading via the bottom and their high Machine comprising:
capacity restrict them to use on large sites with only minor • A tractor (rigid dump truck without its dump body);
gradients, on which the materials are brittle (transporting
• A long trailer which can open at the bottom
coal, etc.).
It is thus a combination of a rigid and an articulated dump
• Suitable for applications involving long cycles.
truck.
Axles
• Two axles for the tractor: the front steering axle always has
single-tire fitments. The rear drive axle always has dual-tire
fitments.
• One axle for the dump body, generally with single-tire
fitments, and very occasionally with dual-tire fitments.
Payload
Up to 150 U.S. tons (136 tons) (depending on the model).
Maximum speed
40 mph (65 km/h).
136 Machines and their uses

Coal Haulers
Main use Profile
• Specialty machines for transporting brittle materials. • Compact machines built around a bottom dump body.
• Specifically intended for sites with only minor gradients • Large-capacity hopper with unloading via the bottom.
and long transport cycles.
Axles
• Two suspended axles, with dual-tire fitments at both front
and rear
• Rear drive axle and front steering axle, with large steering
angles (around 90°).
Payload
245 U.S. tons (220 tons).
Maximum speed
47 mph (75km/h).
Large Loaders
Main use
• Mainly loading transport vehicles at mine or quarry faces.
• More rarely, loading and direct transport to the crusher (load and carry). The range of these loaders can then reach several
hundred meters.
Profile
• Buckets that can contain up to 35 m3 (45 yd3).
• Transmission with wheel spin limiter and torque converter.
•
Articulation providing a steering angle of around 40°
(in each direction).
Axles
• Front steering and drive axle.
• Rear drive axle.
Payload
11 to 77 u.s. tons (10 to 70 tons)(depending on the model).
Maximum speed
25 mph (40 km/h).
Dozers, Rubber-Wheel Dozer

Main use
• Maintenance of site roads, loading/unloading areas and open-air storage areas.
• Moving materials using an adjustable front blade.
Profile
Structure and engine similar to those of loaders, from which
they are generally derived.
Axles
Two drive axles.
Maximum speed
25 mph (40 km/h).

Large Motor Graders
Main use
• Graders are used in open-pit mines and quarries where they maintain the site roads, helping to :
- considerably reduce the traveling times of transport machines;
- reduce accidental tire damage (for example, punctures as a result of repeatedly traveling over blocks fallen from moving
vehicles);
- extend the lifetime of earthmover tires mounted on other vehicles.
• They are also used for banking and grading underlayers.
Profile
Machines equipped with a central blade and sometimes a
front blade, and/or a ripper at the rear.
Axles
• One front steering axle, which is sometimes also a drive
axle (very occasionally two axles).
• Two rear tandem drive axles.
Maximum speed
• Working: 22 mph (35 km/h).
• Traveling: 31 mph (50 km/h).
Large motor grader

Machines for earthworks
and infrastructure sites
• Machines used on various types of site (construction, public works, etc.);
• Covering limited distances at relatively low speeds.
• Use sometimes comparable to that in mines and quarries, but much less intensive.
Small Dump Trucks

Main use
Over potentially long distances,
• transporting materials for earthworks and infrastructure sites (highways, rail track construction, dams, etc.);
• transporting materials in stone and sand quarries from the face to the crushing or processing stations.
Profile
Intermediate machines, midway between road trucks and
earthmover rigid dump trucks.
Axles
• The front axle or axles, which have single-tire fitments, are
mainly steering axles, and may sometimes also be drive
axles.
Two rear drive axles, with either single- or dual-tire
•
fitments.
Payload
17 to 77 U.S. tons (15 to 70 tons).
Maximum speed
44 mph (70km/h).
Rigid Dump Trucks

Main use
On earthworks or infrastructure sites (highways, rail track construction, dams, etc.), transporting materials, sometimes over
long distances (cycles of up to 40 kilometers • 65 miles).
Profile
Rigid dump trucks.
Axles
• The front steering axle generally has single-tire fitments.
It is very occasionally a drive axle and/or has dual-tire
fitments.
• The rear drive axle generally has dual-tire fitments.
A few rigid dump trucks have three axles. The two rear drive
Important: axles are then mounted with single-tire fitments.
The capacity of the loaders (or excavators) must be Payload
appropriate for that of the means of transport used. 33 to 110 U.S. tons (30 to 100 tons).
This is a key factor for operational productivity.
It depends on the number of loading passes required to
Maximum speed
reach the maximum payload of the rigid dump trucks. • Empty: 50 mph (80km/h).
• Loaded: 40 mph (65 km/h).

Articulated Dump Trucks
Main use Profile
• Transporting materials on earthworks and infrastructure • Machines comprising a tractor and a permanently attached
sites. articulated trailer with a tilting dump body or a dump body
• Articulated dump trucks are sometimes found on the same equipped with an ejector.
sites as rigid dump trucks, apart from quarries, where they • Articulation providing a steering angle of around 45°
are rarely used. (in each direction).
• Suitable for traveling on any surface, with outstanding
ability to travel over loose or uneven terrain.
Axles
• Tractor with one axle with single-tire fitments.
•
Trailer with two axles with single-tire fitments, or
sometimes a single axle.
• These are all generally drive axles.
Payload
Maximum speed
Medium Loaders
Main use
• Picking up materials at a deposit point and unloading at a nearby point (truck dump body, crusher, etc.).
• Loading and direct transport to the crusher (load and carry). The range of these loaders can then reach several hundred
meters.
Profile
• Machines built around an articulated chassis fitted with
a bucket at the front.
• Transmission with wheel spin limiter and torque converter.
Axles
Two drive axles.
Payload
2 to 10 U.S. tons (2 to 9 tons) (depending on the model).
Maximum speed
25 mph (40 km/h).
Small Loaders
Main use
Picking up stock and carrying out support work in a wide variety of sites (road surfacing or concrete plants, incineration plants,
public works, etc.).
Profile
• Compact machine providing excellent maneuverability.
• The bucket can be replaced by other tools (fork, etc.)
as required.
• Articulation providing a steering angle of around 40°
Axles
• Front steering axle which is also generally a drive axle.
Payload
Up to 1 U.S. ton (1 tons) (depending on the model).
Maximum speed
19 mph (30 km/h).
Scrapers
Main use Profile
Self-loading, transport and self-unloading, mainly on • Single-engine machine (front drive axle): the engine only
infrastructure sites and open-pit coal mines. drives the machine during transport. During loading, one
These machines comprise of a tractor and a bowl equipped or more bulldozers push the scraper to move it along.
with a blade to scrape the ground, pick up materials and • Twin-engine machine (each axle is a drive axle): tandem
place them in the bowl. (push-pull) loading to combine the power of both machines
There are also motor scrapers on which the bowl is equipped (4 engines) on a single blade. One machine pulls and the
with elevator mechanism or auger loading system. other pushes. They are loaded alternately.
• Articulation providing a steering angle of around 90°
Axles
• One axle with single-tire fitments for the tractor.
• One axle with single-tire fitments for the bowl.
Maximum speed
Motor Graders
Main use
• Motor graders are used in earthworks, construction and public works for banking, and leveling subgrades and finish grades
(laser work on gravel, cement, asphalt, etc.).
• They are also extremely effective at clearing snow from roads.
Profile
Machines equipped with a central blade and sometimes
a front blade, and/or a scarifier at the rear.
Axles
• One front steering axle, which is sometimes also a drive
axle (very occasionally two axles).
• Two rear tandem drive axles.
Maximum speed
Line of articulated dump trucks

Compact Machines
Wheeled Excavators
Main use Profile
• Digging trenches. • Chassis with a cab used for both driving the machine and
• Loading loose materials (soil, sand, etc.). operating the arm.
• Articulated arm equipped with a backhoe.
• Larger models are mounted on tracks.
Axles
• Front steering axle, with single- or dual-tire fitments;
• Rear drive axle, with single- or dual-tire fitments;
With dual tire fitments, the centering ring between the tires
makes it preferable to use tires with reinforced sidewalls.
The use of stabilizers is necessary to support the machine
during work.
Payload
Maximum speed
12 mph (20 km/h).
Backhoe Loaders
Main use Profile
• Digging trenches with the backhoe. • Bucket at the front.
• Loading material with the bucket. • Backhoe at the rear.
Their versatility makes them useful in all types of construction,
public works and earthworks. Axles
• Front steering axle, sometimes also a drive axle.
The tires mounted at the front are often smaller than those
at the rear.
Payload
Maximum speed
25 mph (40 km/h).
Skid Steers
Main use Profile

Small loading operations on small sites (parks, gardens, etc.) • Rigid chassis with a cab used for both driving the machine
and/or those requiring very precise work. and operating the arms.
• Two articulated arms that can be equipped with many
different types of tool (fork, bucket, etc.).
Number of wheels
No axles, wheels are connected with hydraulic motors (one
for each side) thanks to chains.
The driver changes direction by braking the wheels on the
side toward which he is steering (in the same way as with
tracked vehicles).
Payload
Maximum speed
19 mph (30 km/h).
Site Dumpers
Main use
Very easy to handle, used on a wide variety of sites (infrastructures, parks, etc.) for transport and clearing work.
Profile
Machines with tilting skip.
Axles
• Front is generally the drive axle.
• Rear steering axle.
Payload
Maximum speed
19 mph (30 km/h).
Telescopic Handlers
Main use
Moving, storage and loading at considerable heights (pallets, stackable materials).
Profile
• Chassis with a cab used for both driving the machine and
operating the arm.
• Telescopic arm that can be equipped with many different
tools (fork, bucket, etc.).
Number of wheels
• Four drive and steering wheels which can be turned in
various ways to provide specific movement options.
• Outriggers used when carrying out operations at great
height.
Maximum speed
16 mph (25 km/h).
Maximum lifting capacity
• Up to 23 U.S. tons (21 tons) (depending on the model).
• Up to 19 yd (17 meters) (depending on the model).
Method of movement
Normal Sideways In opposition

Machines specifically
for road construction
• designed exclusively for use in the construction and maintenance of highway systems;
• carry out specific functions: preparation of the ground, finishing, etc.
Soil Stabilizers and Road Reclaimers
Main use Profile

These earthworks machines are used to prepare the ground. • Hopper for transporting materials.
• Tool for incorporating stabilizers contained in the hopper
(lime, etc.) in the soil.
• High traction and flotation capability.
Axles
• Front drive axle which is sometimes also a steering axle.
• Rear steering axle which is often a drive axle.
All four wheels can be identical or smaller wheels may be
mounted at the rear.
Maximum speed
9 mph (15 km/h).
Planers, Asphalt Milling Machines

Main use Profile
Removing asphalt and concrete from road surfaces to enable These machines:
a new top course to be laid.
• comprise a milling unit (adjusted via a manual or electric
mechanism), a heating system to soften the asphalt and a
conveyor belt for carrying the asphalt to a dump truck;
• mounted on tracks or tires that are subjected to very high
temperatures.
On some models, there is also a sprinkler system which is used
to limit the formation of dust and protect the equipment
against premature wear.
Maximum speed
• Working: 1.25 mph (2 km/h).

Mobile Feeders for Asphalt Pavers
Main use
For feeding asphalt pavers (the asphalt arrives on a conveyor belt).
Profile
Machines mounted on tires or tracks.
Maximum speed
Asphalt Pavers
Main use Profile
Laying the top course on a road prepared previously during Self-propelled machine comprising:
the earthworks. • a hopper, capacity 4 yd3 to 33 yd3, to take the asphalt. It is
supported by tired wheels (two or four), which are steering
and sometimes drive wheels;
• a chassis carrying the diesel-powered engine, the product
transfer mechanism and the control position, supported by
one drive axle with single-tire fitments.
• a vibrating or fixed screed for applying the product in an
even layer.
In some cases, this machine is mounted on tracks.
Maximum speed
• Working: 33 yd/mn (30 m/mn).
Compactors, Rollers
Main use
• Compacting the ground.
• Preparation of surfaces during road construction, leveling the ground for finishing work.
Axles
Depending on the type of machine:
• two axles with smooth rollers or with tamping feet;
• one front axle with a smooth roller or with tamping feet,
one rear axle with two tires;
• two axles on tires (two to five smooth tires for each one).
Maximum speed
• Traveling: 16 mph (25 km/h) (depending on the model).

Mobile cranes
• Mainly designed for moving over well-maintained surfaces.
• The tires of mobile cranes are always loaded. They must also provide good road handling
when traveling.
Truck Cranes (TC)

Main use Profile
• Almost exclusively on-road use. • Compact and therefore easy to handle.
• Excellent stability on solid surfaces. • Mounted on a reinforced truck chassis and fitted with
truck tires.
• Up to 77 yards (70 meters) (depending on the model).
Maximum speed
56 mph (90 km/h).
All-Terrain (AT) Cranes

Main use Profile
Very maneuverable and very adaptable. • Two cabs: driver’s cab and crane operator’s cab.
Mainly on-road use, occasionally on-site. • The earthmover tires, mounted with single-tire fitments,
can take up to 12 tons (12 tons) per axle.
Axles
• Drive and steering.
• Two to ten axles.
Maximum speed
50 mph (80 km/h).
• Up to 1,300 U.S. tons (1.200 tons) (depending on the model).
• Lifting operations carried out with outriggers deployed.
City Cranes
Main use
Designed to work in an urban environment, and more generally anywhere where the crane has to be compact (reduced site
accessibility, limited area for movement):
• single cab;
• permitted to travel on the road (truck or earthmover tires).
Axles
Up to four axles.
Maximum speed
56 mph (90 km/h).

Rough Terrain (RT) Cranes
Main use Profile
Machines designed exclusively to travel short distances • Very maneuverable.
off-road. • Single cab used for both driving the machine and operating
the crane.
• Excellent ability to travel over rough terrain.
Axles
Two, sometimes three, drive and steering axles.

Maximum speed
25 mph (40 km/h).
Compact Industrial Cranes

Main use
• Lifting on industrial sites: warehouses, workshops, etc.
• Traveling short distances, rarely on roads.
Profile
• Small machines with a single cab and no suspension.
• Four independent wheels fitted with handling
equipment tires.

Maximum speed
19 mph (30 km/h).
Mobile Harbor Cranes

Main use
• Exclusively for port and harbor areas.
• These cranes, which are very heavy, very
large and difficult to maneuver, travel Axles
very little and with difficulty. • Several drive, generally also steering, axles.
• The largest of these cranes have seven fixed axles and five
steering axles and are fitted with 96 earthmover tires.
• Lifting operations carried out with outriggers deployed.
Maximum speed
6 mph (10 km/h).

Machines for underground mines
• These low, compact machines are used in underground roadways and tunnels;
• Designed to work in confined operating spaces;
• Loading and transporting materials over relatively short distances.
Support Machine
Main use
Each type of machine is designed for a specific purpose: drilling, scaling, etc.
Profiles
Generally articulated machines.
Axles
Two axles with single-tire fitments.
Maximum speed
Varies according to the type of machine.
Scaling
Wheeled Loaders
Main use Profile
• Loading and transport in mines. • Articulated machines, with a combustion engine or an
• For hazardous uses, these machines can be controlled electric motor.
remotely or wire-guided, enabling the “driver” to be at a • Fitted with one or two articulated arms with bucket.
safe distance.
Axles
Two drive axles with single-tire fitments.
Payload
Maximum speed
Dump Trucks
Main use Profile

Transporting all types of ore. Tilting dump body or fixed dump body fitted with an ejector.
Articulated machine.
Axles
• Two drive axles with single-tire fitments.
Payload
Maximum speed

Coal Haulers
Main use Profile
Transporting coal on underground roadways. Central articulation providing a steering angle of around
45° (in each direction).
Axles
• Two drive axles with single-tire fitments.
• Electric power, independent for each position (for certain
models).
Payload
Up to 22 U.S. tons (20 tons).
Maximum speed
Approximately 6 mph (10 km/h) (varies according to the model).
Shuttle Cars
Main use Profile
Transporting coal on underground roadways. • Machine with rigid chassis equipped with a conveyor belt
for automatic unloading.
• Cabled power supply.
Axles
Two drive and steering axles with single-tire fitments.
Payload
Up to 17 U.S. tons (15 tons).
Maximum speed
Between 3 and 6 mph (5 to 10 km/h).
Underground wheeled loader

Handling machines
• Industrial sectors, intermodal centers, port activities, etc.;
• Traveling on well-maintained surfaces: concrete, asphalt, paving, etc.
Front-Loading Forklift Trucks

• Loading/unloading vehicles, storage of materials or palletized items.
• Handling all types of materials: lifting, and transport over short distances.
Small and Medium Forklifts, Small and Medium Forklift Trucks
Main use Axles

All industrial storage and handling. Front axle always the drive axle, rear axle always the steering
axle:
Profile -when empty, the main part of the weight (engine, batteries and
• Equipped with forks (and/or grabs) which move vertically counterweight for balancing the loaded truck) is over the rear
and horizontally on a telescopic mast. axle.
• Electric, gas or diesel powered. -when loaded, the main part of the weight is over the front axle.
Maximum speed Tires used
• Empty: up to 25 mph (40 km/h). Small trucks:
• Loaded: up to16 mph (25 km/h). • two wheels (with single-tire fitments) at the front and 1
or 2 wheels with dual-tire fitments at the rear;
• flexible solid or solid tires.
Medium capacity trucks:
• two wheels (with single-tire fitments) at the front and the rear;
• flexible solid, conventional or Radial tires.
Larger capacity trucks:
• two dual-tire fitments at the front and two wheels (with
single-tire fitments) at the rear;
• flexible solid, conventional or Radial tires.
Large Forklifts, Large Forklift Trucks

Main use
• Storage and handling of heavy loads.
Profile
• Identical design to the previous trucks, but with a greater
Diesel-powered only.
lifting capacity.
Axles
• 1 front drive axle, generally with dual-tire fitments.
• 1 rear steering axle.
Capacité de levage
Maximum speed

RoRo Forklift, Forklift RoRo Trucks
Main use
Loading and unloading ships (RoRo means Roll-on/Roll-off).
• Low trucks for accessing ships’ holds.
• Handling containers and palletized materials.
Profile
Equipped with forks (and/or grabs) which move vertically
and horizontally on a special telescopic mast.
Axles
• 1 front drive axle, generally with dual-tire fitments.
• 1 rear steering axle.
Maximum speed
Container Handlers, Masted Lift Trucks

Main use
• Handling and moving containers.
• Two types of machine:
- empty container handlers for moving and storing (at heights of up to 27 yards − 25 meters) empty containers;
- laden container handlers for lifting and moving containers weighing up to 55 U.S. tons (50 tons).
Profile
• Very powerful lift trucks, equipped with a telescopic mast
on which a spreader (large gripper or clamp) moves. The
spreader adjusts to the size of the containers, takes hold of
them, lifts them and moves them.
• When empty, the main part of the weight (engine, batteries
and counterweight) is over the rear axle. When loaded, the
main part of the weight is over the front axle.
Axles
• Front drive axle with dual-tire fitments.
• Rear steering axle with single-tire fitments.
• Up to 30 yards (27 meters) (9 empty containers) and up to
16 yards (15 meters) (5 full containers).
Maximum speed

Reach Stackers
Main use Profile
Handling and moving containers. •
Midway between a crane and a forklift truck: their
telescopic arm gives them two major advantages over
Axles large forklift trucks and container handlers:
• Front drive axle with dual tire fitments. - ability to reach containers on a 2nd or 3rd row;
• Rear steering axle with single-tire fitments. - ability to move around in more restricted spaces.
• A chassis, a driving position and a telescopic arm equipped
with an articulated spreader for handling appropriate for
the size of the containers.
• When empty, the main part of the weight is over the rear
axle. When loaded, the main part of the weight is over the
front axle.
• Outriggers enabling stacking at considerable heights and
distances: 2nd row, 13 yard (12 meters) and on the 3rd row,
9 yards (9 meters).
• Up to 26 yards (24 meters) (8 empty containers) and up to
20 yards (18 meters) (6 full containers).
Maximum speed
Machines sometimes equipped with a device which limits
the speed when loaded.
Container handler

Reach Loggers
Fork Loggers
Main use
• Handling logs.
• These machines can pick up an entire truckload of wood in a single operation.
Profile
A log grapple replaces the spreader on large front-loading
forklift trucks.
Axles
• Front drive axle with single- or dual-tire fitments.
Maximum speed
Reach Loggers
Main use
Reach-stackers adapted for logging. They are used to:
• handle and move logs on the 2nd or 3rd row and/or in restricted spaces;
• pick up logs from below ground level (for example, from a river, while standing on the wharf).
Profile
A log grapple replaces the spreader on large front-loading
forklift trucks.
Axles
• Front drive axle with dual-tire fitments.
Maximum speed

Side Loaders
Main use
Machines for transport rather than lifting, designed to work in restricted spaces (warehouses with racking, etc.):
• Transporting long items (pipes, iron bars, ducts, tree trunks);
• Electric, gas or diesel powered.
Profile
• Chassis with a driving position and design comparable to
those of a front-loading forklift truck but at the side.
• During loading operations these machines are often on
rigid outriggers.
Axles
• Front axle always the steering axle.
• Rear axle always the drive axle.
Maximum speed
Straddle Carriers and Transtainers
Straddle Carriers
Main use
• Moving and handling containers (ports and intermodal centers): loading, transport and stacking.
• Straddling a row of containers stacked at several heights, picking up the selected container and transporting it between their
“legs” to another row, a truck or a train.
A new generation of machines is now coming onto the market that is lower and therefore faster (Shuttle, Sprinter, etc.), which
is particularly suitable for transport and for loading vehicles.
Profile
Platform with a driving position (at the front or side) at the
top of the metal structure (legs).
• Fixing assembly (gripper, hoist or spreader) integral with
this platform for picking up and moving containers.
• Depending on the model, ability to stack 20 or 40-foot

containers 3 or 4 high, to move one 20-foot or 40-foot
container (single spreader) or two 20-foot containers (twin
spreader).
Lifting capacity
• Up to 44 U.S. tons (40 tons) for single spreaders.
• Up to 66 U.S. tons (60 tons) for some twin spreader models.
Number of axles
• No axles, only independent wheels.
•
Standard: 8 steering wheels with single-tire fitments,
4 of which are generally drive wheels.
• Sprinter or Shuttle type: 6 drive wheels, of which the 4 end
wheels are steering wheels.
Maximum speed
19 mph (30 km/h) when loaded.
Transtainers, Rubber-Tired Gantry (RTG) Cranes
Main use
• Handling containers in ports.
• Straddling several rows (1 to 8) of containers stacked at varying heights (2 to 7 tiers) and a road for trucks and terminal
tractors.
Mainly used for sorting containers, and their storage and removal from storage, these machines move sideways.
Although lengthwise movement is possible, it is rare.
Profile
• Much heavier than straddle carriers.
• Move in a straight line along the row of containers, which
may be several hundred meters long.
• Turning and changing direction is always carried out with
the machine stationary, in areas specifically designed for
this purpose (plates made of smooth metal or coated with
slippery paint).
Axles
All steering (90°).
• Fitted with 1 or 2 tires (in line or on bogies), or even 4 tires
(2 bogies in line) for each of the 4 feet.
• There are also identical systems which travel on rails (Rail
Mounted Gantry or RMG).
Maximum speed
1 to 5 mph (2 to 8 km/h).

Special tractors
Terminal Tractors and RoRo Trucks
Main use Profile

• Moving trailers in ports and intermodal centers. Vehicles similar to road tractors but smaller. They are not
• Loading into/unloading from the inside of boats (ferries): designed to travel on the road, but on very adherent and
road trailers, low-bed trailers loaded with 1 to 2 container(s). therefore abrasive surfaces.
• Very easy to handle for moving easily between ships’ decks
and rows of containers.
• Very powerful to provide the tractive effort required for
constantly working on braking torque/driving torque.
• Their fifth wheel has the particular feature of being able
to lift in order to adapt to all types of trailer.
• The driving position (180° rotation) enables the tractor to
travel at the same speed backward or forward.
Axles
• The front steering axle has single-tire fitments.
• The rear drive axle has dual-tire fitments.
• Machines with 3 axles are used in some ports to pull several
trailers coupled together.
Payload
Maximum speed
31 mph (50 km/h).
Towbar and Towbarless Tractors

Main use Profile
Moving aircraft on the ground. Appropriate size for the aircraft they move.
• Very powerful, to provide the necessary tractive effort:
Axles constantly work on adherent and therefore abrasive
2 axles and 4 drive wheels (possibility of locking one axle). surfaces.
• Conventional towbar tractors move the aircraft using a
towbar. They have a high, constant load.
• Towbarless tractors, equipped with a cradle which slides
under the front wheel, carry the aircraft’s nose gear. Their
load is cyclical.
Lifting capacity
Maximum speed
• 19 mph (30 km/h) for pulling an empty aircraft (parking,
positioning at the terminal, etc.).
• 3 mph (5 km/h) when the fully loaded aircraft pushes back
from the departure terminal.

Special machines
• Traveling on fairly well-maintained site roads requiring very regular maintenance.
• Intermittent transport cycles: the loaded operating time represents 40% to 60% of the total time.
• Their commercial name may vary according to the manufacturer.
Railroad Loco-Tracteur
Main use
• Pulling trains in freight areas, operate alternately on roads and on rails.
Profile
The metal wheels are lowered when the vehicle is running
on rails (these wheels are only used as guides).
• The tires, generally handling equipment tires, must be
inflated to a high pressure. During use, they develop
characteristic wear in the center.
• Short periods of use, only limited distances covered.
Maximum speed
19 mph (30 km/h).
Slag Pot Carriers

Main use
In metallurgical plants, transporting vessels containing molten materials.
Axles
• 1 drive and steering front axle, equipped with earthmover
tires;
• 1 rear axle, equipped with earthmover tires or handling
equipment tires (therefore, often flexible solid tires).
Maximum speed
• Empty: up to 22 mph (35 km/h) (depending on the model).
• Loaded: up to 9 mph (15 km/h) (depending on the model).
Girder Carriers, Span Carriers

Main use Profile
Transporting abnormal loads: • Very long trailer chassis, equipped with dual-tire fitments
- bridge sections or lengths of railroad track; (up to 400 tires on the ground).
- boats • Tractor either independent or fixed to the chassis.
-…etc. Axles
Generally multi-axle.
• Each axle has 1 to "n" wheels.
•
Most of the axles are steering axles, and some can
occasionally be drive axles.
Maximum speed
Very slow speed when loaded.
• The return journey (empty) is made in reverse at a faster
speed (around twice the loaded speed).
• Loaded: up to 3 mph (5 km/h).
• Empty: up to 9 mph (15 km/h).
Road Trains
Main use
Transporting logs, coal or ore. Outward journey loaded, returning empty, on well-maintained site roads or on public roads.
Profile
Vehicles comprising one tractor with two to three multi-axle
trailers coupled to it.
Axles
• The front axle of the tractor always has single-tire fitments.
• One or two rear drive axle(s), generally have dual-tire
fitments.
Payload
Up to 220 U.S. tons (200 tons) (depending on the length of
the road train).
Maximum speed
50 mph (80 km/h).
Special Intervention Vehicles

Main use
• Airports and other sensitive sites, including various types of military applications.
• Excellent ability to travel over different surfaces.
• Very maneuverable, occasional need for high speed.
Axles
Three steering and/or drive axles.
Maximum speed
81 mph (130 km/h) (for a limited period).
Airport fire truck

19
Glossary
Glossary 159
GLOSSARY
each of the two circumferential bases of the tire.

A The bead wires of a tire take up all the forces from the casing
and transmit them to the rim on which the tire is mounted.
Alignment
Alignment refers to the angle formed by the wheels on one Bogey
axle (seen from above). Carriage which moves in relation to the chassis of the vehicle
When the wheels are totally parallel, the alignment is correctly below which it is fixed. The axles (and therefore the wheels)
adjusted. are connected to this chassis.
The main function of the bogies is to assist cornering.
Autoclave A vehicle’s bogies can pivot independently of one another,
Closed metal container for curing using pressurized steam. enabling:
- Smaller turning circles;
Axle - Wider spacing between the axles, whether they are drive
Mechanical part linking two wheels (also called rim + tire or bearing axles.
assemblies). An axle is generally load-bearing. It can be a outline of the vehicle bogeys trajectory
drive axle (it is then called the live axle), and can also be a
steering or tag axle.
The steering axle moves in relation to the chassis of the
vehicle.
axles pivot
B Bolt
Metal component which, together with a nut, attaches the
Ball joint rim or the wheel to the hub.
Spherical linking component, used as an articulation Reduces the effects of centrifugal force on a moving vehicle.
between two components.
A ball joint can turn in any direction. Bouncing
Regular movements (jolts) to which a moving machine
Banking is subjected when traveling on badly maintained roads
Raising earth to create or shape a slope or embankment. (corrugated effect).
Banking
Incline across the profile of a road on curves. C
Bead Calendered band
See also the tire diagram under «Casing» in this glossary. Band of rubber for retreading of the correct size for the
width of the tire. The band is shaped (width/thickness) by
The beads are the two areas of a tire that hold it on the rim. calendering. This is applied manually.
Bead seat band Calendering

Detachable metal part of a multi-piece rim used to create a Mechanical process consisting of smoothing a malleable
tapered contact area between the tire bead and the rim, to material by passing it between two rollers.
prevent rotation.
Flange: removable metal part of a multi-part rim, the Camber
function of which is to support tire bead deformation. On
Refers to the angle between the center line of the wheel
a single-piece rim, the two flanges are integrated into the
and vertical when viewed from the front. The camber is said
base of the rim and are therefore known as «hooks»
to be negative when the top of the wheel tilts toward the
vehicle. It is positive when the top of the wheel tilts outward
Bead seat band ring from the vehicle.
Removable metal part of a 3-piece rim, combining the
independent functions of the flange and bead seat band.
Bead wire
Ring generally made up of a series of metal wires inside
negative camber positive camber
160 Glossary
Carding Cycle
Operation involving preparation of the surface of a Series of phases carried out by a machine during a loading/
tire’s tread so that the rubber penetrates and adheres unloading operation.
during bonding. Carding can be carried out either using A cycle is made up of four phases:
a rotating tool, called a carding machine, or by means of
- loading;
various abrasive processes.
- transport to the unloading point;
Casing - unloading;
The casing of a tire refers to the entire architecture made - empty return journey.
up of the various metal or textile plies. The rubber of the
tire’s tread and sidewalls is applied to the tire’s casing.
D
Drawbar
Metal bar by which a trailer (or the vehicle being towed) is
coupled to the driving vehicle.
E
Earthmover
In this Use and Maintenance Guide, the term earthmover
covers tires intended for the following uses: mines (surface
and underground), quarries, earthmoving and infrastructure
sites, road construction, civil engineering, lifting, industrial
and port handling activities.
Chamfer
1. Excess thickness on the bead seat band to enable the
airtight seal of the tubeless assembly to be secured.
F
2. Beveled buffing around the inside edge of a repair to
prevent air seeping under a patch. Fifth wheel
Metal component at the rear of truck and bottom dump
Chassis tractors, sloping towards the trailer.
Metal structure on which the axles (and thus the wheels) Designed for fast automatic coupling of a semi-trailer to the
are fixed. tractor.
The various axle configurations are denoted by a
multiplication: Flotation
- The first figure is the number of rim + tire assemblies; Ability of a tire to travel over soft or loose ground without
- The second figure is the number of driving assemblies; sinking in too much.
- The third figure (optional) is the number of steering Flotation is aided by certain tread patterns and by having a
assemblies. lower air pressure than normal.
Example: 6 x 4 x 2.
Chipping G
Series of small cuts.
Gearbox
Crack Mechanical device designed to reduce speed.
Narrow crack found on the braking surface of a brake
drum or disk, or on the parts of a worn wheel. Gravel
Cracks tend to increase in size under the effects of thermal Soil on the banks of streams and rivers. Mixture of alluvial soil
or mechanical shock. and stones, which are generally flat and have no sharp edges.
Cross-linking
Formation of additional links between chains of atoms
during curing.
Glossary 161
Live axle
H Set of mechanical components with pins (half-shafts) at each
end, which are driven by the engine and on which wheels
Hopper (rim + tire assemblies) are fitted.
Funnel, in the shape of a truncated inverted pyramid, for It is commonly referred to as the drive axle. It can be a
storing a heavy material (grain, sand, asphalt, etc.) then steering or tag axle.
discharging it under gravity.
Loading auger
Metal component consisting of a worm screw wound round
I a pivot.
The rotation of the pivot enables bulk semi-solid materials
Insert to be loaded or unloaded, depending on the direction of
Device inserted inside a tire. rotation.
The shapes and materials used are adapted to the conditions
of use. A tire with an insert can be used when flat (following Lock ring
a puncture) or even, depending on the insert, be used Detachable metal part of a multi-piece rim used to hold the
without being inflated. other metal assembly parts in place against the tire bead, to
prevent the tire becoming detached from the rim.
J Locking link
Metal rod placed between the two parts of an articulated
Jack stand machine in order to immobilize it.
Metal support, usually with three feet, used to support a
machine that is jacked-up. Locking rod
Detachable metal part for locking the two parts of an
articulated vehicle together.
K
Logging
Key Transporting wood between the logging site and the
Metal pin, generally cross-shaped, inserted into a recess collection or dispatch center.
made in the rim base to press it against another other part Transport may take place on unmade tracks and/or on
of the rim. asphalt roads.
The key is designed to join the component parts of the rim
together, to prevent the rim rotating when the vehicle is
moving.
Logs
Tree trunks that have been felled and stripped of their
branches. Logs are therefore ready to be transported.
Key Lug
Lug welded under the rim base to fix the wheel to the
vehicle’s hub (fixing nut).
5-piece rim 3-piece rim
L
Layered strip
Narrow strip of rubber for retreading, produced by extrusion
and applied by winding around in successive layers.
To cover the width of the crown of the tire, each layer is
applied, moving this strip sideways while rotating the tire.
This is applied automatically.
162 Glossary
Rim
M Set of metal components used to fix the tire on the axle hub
and inflate it.
Milling It comprises a rim base, and depending on the type of rim,
Machining process involving the removal of material. various other components: side rings, bead seat bands, lock
rings.
Mounted wheel o-ring seal gutter key
The mounted wheel is an assembly consisting of the rim and
the tire.
The term wheel is commonly used to refer to the whole
assembly.
O
O-ring seal
Ring-shaped seal, generally made of pressure-molded
rubber.
Provides a static and dynamic seal between two cylindrical rim base flanges bead seat band lock ring
surfaces.
P Road surfacing plant

Plant manufacturing road coatings (mixture of gravel, sand
and bitumen, applied in one or more layers to create road
Patch surfaces).
Repair piece reinforced with one or more cord plies.
The patch is glued or cured inside a tire after it has been
repaired.
Rolling down
Action involving running a small handheld roller over a
repair patch to ensure perfect bonding between the two
Pivot rubber surfaces (of the tire and patch).
Cylindrical linking component used to make another
component turn around itself.
Powder S
Any material is said to be powdery if it is in the form of dust
or fine crushed grains (powder). Siping
Removal tread layer rubber to detach without exceeding
Pyrolysis the bottom of the sculpture.
Chemical decomposition of rubber due to an extreme rise in See as well: Regrooving
the internal temperature of the tire.
Seat
Term referring to the area of the rim base on which the base
of the tire bead is seated.
R
Self-tapping screw
Reversion (reversion temperature) Screw used to make a hole by cutting a thread in the
Phenomenon which occurs when the temperature of a solid surrounding material.
is too high.
Its effect is coarse, incomplete precipitation which may
affect the mechanical properties of the solid.
Shearography
Analysis technique for viewing the inside of a tire.
The shearography device is fitted with a laser camera which
transmits the internal architecture of the tire onto a screen,
so that any deformation or expansion, however small, can
be identified.
Glossary 163
Siping Toe-in
Creation of grooves (sipes) in a tread block (without Toe-in refers to the situation when the distance between the
removing any material) to increase tire adhesion on ice or front of the wheels is less than that between the rear of the
snow-covered surfaces. same wheels.
When the opposite occurs, this is referred to as toe-out.
Skiving Toe-in value: value (in the sense of «measurement») of the
Treatment of a damaged area on a tire to remove all the toe-in angle.
damaged parts (cords, rubber, etc.).
Toe-out
Spindle See Toe-in.
Tapered end of the axle onto which the hub is fitted.
Torque converter
Generally replaces a mechanical clutch to transfer the power
Steering arm from the drive shaft to the axle.
Coupling link (also called steering arm) linking the
Also used to vary the torque transmitted when the incoming
hub-carriers to the steering rack or the steering cylinder.
and outgoing rotation speeds are different.
TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system)

System for remotely monitoring the internal pressure and
temperature of tires.
A pressure sensor (which can be combined with a temperature
sensor) fixed inside the tire transmits information, via a
receiver installed in the vehicle, to warning screens located
on the vehicle’s dashboard and/or to the site’s operational
control center.
Traction
Traction is the ability of the tire to pull the machine. It is
aided by certain tread patterns with blocks.
Tread block
Block consisting of one of the individual elements of a tread
T pattern.
Tandem A tire’s tread pattern is made up of several differently shaped
tread blocks, organized in a sequence around the tread and
System replacing the axle, driving two rim + tire assemblies separated by crosswise and lengthwise grooves.
placed one behind the other, and separate from the other
lateral rim + tire assemblies.
V
Tandem (tandem or push-pull loading)
Combination of two driving machines coupled one Valve base
behind the other to make use of their cumulative power.
The rear vehicle pushes while the front vehicle pulls. • Rubber component for fixing a valve on an inner tube.
• Metal component for fixing on the rim base, onto which
the valve is screwed, for inflating a tubeless assembly.
W
Wheel rim clamp
toe-in toe-out Metal part with holes in it, overlapping one or two of the
hub screws on a vehicle in order to attach the rim (single
fitment) or the centering ring (dual fitment) on the hub.
164 Glossary
20
Notes
Notes 165
Notes
166 Notes
Notes
Notes 167
Notes
168 Notes
2021
MARCH 2021 EDITION
MICHELIN EARTHMOVER
USE AND MAINTENANCE GUIDE
HEADQUARTERS
Manufacture Française des Pneumatiques Michelin
partnership limited by shares with capital of 504 000 004 €
Registered office: Place des Carmes Déchaux - 63040 CLERMONT-FERRAND Cedex 9 - FRANCE
Tel.: +33(0)4 73 32 20 00
855 200 507 RCS Clermont-Ferrand
Copyright © 2021 Michelin North America, Inc. All rights reserved.

The Michelin Man is a registered trademark owned by Michelin.

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2021 EDITION MICHELIN EARTHMOVER

• to increase their productivity and reduce their operating

• to maintain, and even improve, the safety level of sites−first

Tires have a major influence on these issues. Their impact on

2 General information on michelin ® earthmover tires 9

3 Handling and storing tires 19

4 Tire fires and their prevention 27

5 Tire maintenance workshop 35

6 Mounting and demounting 39

8 Inflation and checking tire pressures 53

9 Inserts and solid fills 63

12 Inspecting tires on vehicles 89

13 Inspecting demounted tires 97

14 Repairing tires 103

16 Retreading tires 119

17 Removal recovery due to wear/used tires 129

18 Machines and their uses 133

4 Questions you should always

5 Before you do anything–

8 Caution, dangerous situations!

This chapter is devoted entirely to safety

Safety must become a frame of mind,

An exploding tire can cause physical, occasionally even fatal, injuries

Make your presence known

Entry to a site is generally controlled.

Identification is mandatory Go to the entrance of the site

Always find out what

BLASTING Knowledge of the current rules is essential to:

AHEAD make a point of reading the instructions for driving

Wear the right equipment

The use of such equipment is

A vehicle immobilization lock may be necessary to render

> Is the situation dangerous?

Sloped work area…danger!

Is the situation dangerous? What actions are dangerous or

Is the use of the equipment Are the working procedures

Which safety rules are applicable to the site?

What are the rules What are the hazardous

Always drive with your headlights on in a mine or quarry

What is the timetable

Mine blasting Pay attention to the signs

All equipment presents risks, which increase as the size

The immediate area around equipment is dangerous

When you have to approach a vehicle:

SPOT THE DANGEROUS SITUATIONS

1 In front of a tire that is falling over.

11 Comparing tire construction

General information on earthmover tires 9

The machines are frequently used in difficult

In response, Michelin is committed to developing

These tires are continuously being updated to take into

The conventional or “bias-ply” tire

The Radial tire: numerous advantages

Using a Radial tire also improves fuel economy and reduces

General information on earthmover tires 11

12 General information on earthmover tires

The H/S ratio is The H/S ratio is

The H/S ratio is

0,65 The H/S ratio is

Other series of tires are also available: 95 series, 75 series, etc.

4 Questions you should always

5 Before you do anything–

30 Ignition of an unmounted tire

33 How to reduce the risks of tire fires