US company Argonics has launched new technology for OTR (off the road) tyres that is designed to protect sidewalls from punctures and other damage in harsh quarrying environments.
The Argonics OTR Sidewall Protector is made from durable, specially formulated polyurethane. The company says tyre sidewalls are at particular risk of damage from jagged edges in the piles of debris that build up at quarrying sites.
Argonics states: “Due to its ability to withstand abrasion, cutting, and tearing, urethane is ideal for situations where severe wear is a problem. The material also has the ability to change shape under heavy load pressure, then return to its original shape once the load is removed.”
The company says the modular system makes replacing a damaged part more cost effective than with a one-piece tyre design.
Argonics adds that the sidewall protector installs quickly, once the special flange has been installed by certified personnel, and that virtually no maintenance is needed, other than to retorque the bolts after 15 to 20 hours of use, comparable to installing new tyres on a car.
Argonics tested the OTR Sidewall Protector for over a year before launch, and it is now available for tyre size 29.5R25, with more sizes planned to follow shortly. The 29.5R25 size fits a range of articulated trucks, scrapers, wheeled loaders and wheeled dozers.
