Mining Tyres South Africa
Mining Tyres for Quarries, Opencast and Underground Operations
What makes a mining tyre different?
A deeper tread
A tougher, cut-resistant compound
Higher ply or star ratings
In many cases, a radial construction
on haul trucks to manage heat over longer cycles
Which mining tyres do you need?
| Application | Typical tyre | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Quarry face loading | L-4 or L-5 bias, deep rock tread | Cut resistance comes first on sharp shot rock |
| Underground LHDs | L-5S smooth, extra deep | No tread blocks to tear on sharp floors, maximum rubber |
| Haul trucks and ADTs | E-3 or E-4, often radial | Heat control and longer life over distance |
| Haul road graders | G-2 or G-3 | Traction and steering on compacted surfaces |
| Stores and workshop forklifts | Solid or pneumatic forklift tyres | Puncture resistance around scrap and steel offcuts |
Bias or radial for mining?
Bias Tyres
For loaders working short cycles at the face, bias mining tyres are often the practical choice. They take side impacts well and they're cheaper to replace when a rock inevitably wins.
Radial Tyres
For haulers covering distance, radial mining tyres usually make more sense. They run cooler, and heat is what kills a hauler tyre long before the tread is gone. Radials do cost more, so we look at your cycle lengths and speeds before recommending them.
Mining tyre sizes we commonly supply
17.5-25 and 20.5-25 for mid-size loaders and support machines
23.5-25 and 26.5-25 for larger quarry loaders and ADTs
29.5-25 for heavy ADTs and big loaders
18.00-25 and similar sizes for LHDs and heavy material handlers
Looking after mining tyres so they las
Most mining tyres don't wear out. They get cut, overheated or run underinflated. A few habits make a real difference:
Check pressures cold, at the start of shift
Underinflation is the fastest way to destroy a sidewall.
Keep the loading area and haul roads clean
Spillage is a tyre killer, and a grader pass is cheaper than a loader tyre.
Watch the operators.
Spinning wheels at the face strips tread faster than anything else.
Inspect rims and lock rings.
A damaged rim component is a serious safety issue, not just a tyre issue.
Put a standard L-3 construction tyre on a quarry loader working blasted granite and you'll see the difference quickly. Usually in the form of a big invoice.