Segmented solid tires- what they are and what their advantages are
Whenever it is time to purchase a new set of tires for your skid steer, you often will find common options of solid skid steer tires.
What you may not know is that there are significantly unique features differentiating one solid skid steer tire options between another, not confined strictly to brand alone.
These distinct variations are noticeable, particularly when it comes to segmented solid tires.
What Exactly is a Segmented Solid Tire?
Regular solid tires are basically continuous, doughnut-shaped rubber tires. They are the go-to tires for heavy-duty industrial applications because they guarantee a long service life and are puncture-resistant and flat-proof. But when it comes to solid tires, you don’t just have one option. Segmented solid tires offer the benefits of regular solid tires, and then some.
A segmented solid tire consists of a system of nuts and bolts that are used to attach individual rubber segments of the tire to the rim. These rubber segments are removable and replaceable.
Why Segmented Solid Tires are Superior to Regular Solid Tires
A segmented solid tire offers many benefits that its rim-bonded and press-on counterparts do not. At the conclusion of this article, you’ll likely be able to surmise just why and how segmented solid tires are superior to regular solid tires.
- Longer Tire Wear
When a regular solid tire wears out, it means the entire tire wears out and needs to be replaced.
Typically, a segmented tire system does not wear out all at once. Individual segments may wear out which means only those segments that are worn need to be replaced as opposed to the entire tire.
Even then, the damage is most often caused by things like sharp-edged concrete chunks, rebar and various other hazards at the job site.
Similarly, if that were to happen with a regular solid tire, your only option would be to throw the whole thing out. Being able to replace individual segments of the tire is a huge bonus.
- Easy to Replace Individual Rubber Segments
The removal process is pretty straightforward and can be done in minutes, even while the tire is still bolted to the heavy equipment. Simply unbolt the segment you want to remove and bolt on the new segment. You can also store spare segments in your vehicle, which saves you time that would be sent leaving the job site to go get tire segments.
- Maximum Machine Uptime
Should a part of your tire get damaged during operations, that segment can be quickly replaced if you have spare rubber segments available? This means you can get back to work in no time.
- Low Operating and Maintenance Costs
Since you don’t have to replace the entire system when a part of the tire is worn out or damaged, you save on operating and maintenance costs. Rim-bonded and press-on tires have to be completely replaced which means higher operating costs.
- Recyclable and Convenient to Dispose Of
Segmented tires are easy to recycle since individual segments are disposed of at a time.
- Retreading
After a period of time, all segmented solid tires do wear out. This is inevitable. However, you have the option of getting your tire retreaded, as opposed to replacing the entire tire, which is costlier. Simply take your tire rim to an authorized dealer and they will be able to replace all worn out segments with brand new ones.
Few Companies Sell Segmented Solid Tires
Top-grade segmented solid tires that are made from highly durable rubber compounds. At the moment evolution tires seem to be the only company that makes this tire. This is unfortunate because of the superiority of this tire at any job site they are utilized in.
Each tire segment is puncture resistant and flat-proof, which minimizes machine downtime and boosts job site productivity. These tires feature deep and wide tread lugs, guaranteeing maximum traction on soft ground conditions, like mud, as well as on hilly terrains.
One feature that makes these tires stand out from other solid tires on the market is the absence of center wear bars. Usually, at some point, tires manufactured with center wear bars start to spin as the tire wears out over time. Without center wear bars, our tires guarantee a much longer service life than comparable tires on the market.
