Case study: Bringing Tyre Repair In House
There are certainly benefits from outsourcing your tyre maintenance programme to a specialist provider. However, this solution isn’t viable for every operation. Perhaps geography presents a challenge or there is simply a lack of suitably skilled tyre repair service providers in the region. For these reasons and more, we are often asked to assist clients with establishing and developing an in house tyre repair program.
This case study outlines a recent project undertaken by the Monaflex team and particularly highlights the potential for commercial advantages of in house tyre repair programmes.
The challenge
Client: A privately owned mining and civil contracting company.
Status quo: Tyre repairs sub-contracted off site.
Objective: Support the corporate self-sufficiency objective by establishing a dedicated, centrally located tyre repair program.
The brief: 
- Recommend suitable tooling and equipment
- Train 3 team members in the:
- Fundamentals of OTR tyre repair with Monaflex systems
- Care and operation of Monaflex tyre repair equipment
- General tyre awareness.
Available infrastructure: Shared work space bays within a common workshop.
The Monaflex Approach
With this client we were essentially starting from scratch and therefore provided comprehensive support on three levels…
- Design of a dedicated tyre repair workshop: Key considerations here were safety, efficient production, optimum equipment longevity and of course maximum repair quality.
- Training: Monaflex OTR repair fundamentals and Monaflex equipment best practice.
- Tyre maintenance and management process consultancy. A well designed maintenance and management programme reduces the costs associated with tyre damage.
Operational Overview
Site Conditions
Our client has 3 remote open cut mine sites in Asia.
The conditions are austere. Deep, cramped pits with narrow haul roads and tight switch-backs. Underfoot conditions, particularly at the base of the pits, are abrasive.
Fleet
- 80 Volvo A40E
- 40 Cat 740D
- 40 Doosan DA40
Articulated Dump trucks have significant advantages over rigid dump trucks in rocky and uneven terrain. The articulated steering allows for a tighter turning radius and offers superior manoeuvrability and stability.
Being 6-wheel drive with differential locks, an ADT also has far better traction and accessibility than a rigid bodied truck.
Tyre Information
Tyre sizes: 29.5R25
Tyre brands/ specifications: Bridgestone VLTS E4 E2A, Triangle TB598, Maxam MS405
Inflation pressure, (cold): 110 psi. This is 20 psi greater than the OEM recommended pressure and likely to account for impacts and crown damage. Cold pressures should be reduced to 90psi and checked a minimum of once per week.
Mean Tye Life (Hours): Average of 3,350
Primary Failure Modes: Sidewall rock cuts, Crown rock cut separations.
Tyre Damage Area Ratios: Sidewall – 75%, Crown – 20% , Shoulder – 5%.
Monaflex Equipment Used
- Custom OTR system – 18.00 to 29.5” section widths
- OTRS – dedicated sidewall system
- Complimentary hand tooling and consumables.
The impact
The impact of an effective repair program on this operation is significant. 
In year 1, a minimum of 456 repairs returned to service. This conservative estimate is based on 60% of tyres assessed being deemed suitable for repair.
The repairs were previously outsourced at US$600/ repair. The new in-house cost is US$200/ repair.
Across 456 repairs this US$400 difference in repair cost equates to a US$182.4k saving.
Aside from the direct value generated, the following advantages were also unlocked:
- Minimise delays in tyre availability
- No freight charges and organisation required
- Increased employee skill diversity
- Broader organisational awareness of tyres of assets and the value of preservation
- 24/7 support from the Monaflex team.
- Improved repair quality overall and increased volume of timely cosmetic repairs.
Next steps
The current tyre repair program is being extended to cover the TBR fleet using a Monaflex TRM system.
Get in touch to find out how Monaflex can benefit your tyre maintenance programme via premium tyre repair systems and comprehensive training and support.