The correct tyre pressure is vital for an excavator to function properly. Unlike a lorry tyre, the load on an excavator tyre varies significantly during use. It is impossible to adjust the tyre pressure continuously. That is why different rules apply to excavator tyres.
In practice, all the machine’s axles have a maximum load. This means that the maximum tyre pressure must also be set on the front and rear axles of the excavator. For the Caliber Power Grip 23RE 315/70R22.5 23RE, for example, a minimum tyre pressure of 9.5 bar must be set at a full load of 19.0 to 22.0 tonnes.
These two photos show tyres that have been damaged by low tyre pressurek
Tips for maintaining your tyres:
1. Check your tyre pressure every 2 to 3 weeks.
In the meantime, pressure may drop, for example due to a leaking valve, a rusty rim or a sharp object.
2. Check the valve cap regularly.
If this dust cap is missing, dirt or mud can damage the inside of the valve and cause air to escape, resulting in low pressure in the tyre and causing damage to the tyre.
3. Ensure the tyre is always inflated to the maximum pressure.
This means that, with an unloaded excavator or under partial load, the load will initially be too high. However, we recommend this situation over having tyre pressure that is too low under full load. In particular, if the tyre pressure is too low, the sealing lip will not seal properly. This allows mud and dirt to get between the two rims. And this can damage the sidewall of the tyre, as the following photos show.
Particularly when digging trenches, care must be taken to ensure that the entire load is distributed fully and as evenly as possible across the axles and tyres. If, for example, the full load is borne by just one axle or even a single tyre, the total load can cause serious tyre damage, as the photos below show.
Ideally, the full weight of the excavator should be distributed across both axles, ensuring that all tyres bear an equal load. By following these recommendations, you will maximise the service life of your CALIBER tyres.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at tech-dep@calibertyres.nl.