Tyre Reminder
Page 19
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FEW items of equipment are so expensive to replace as tyres, yet few are so often abused. A lorry driver who is completely• conscientious and would never dream of subjecting his vehicle's engine or body to excessive stresses will none the less frequently run up kerbs whilst manceuvring in congested streets. It is, one appreciates, almost impossible on occasions to do otherwise because of the length of the vehicle, the acuteness of a corner, or the narrowness of an entrance being negotiated. But it is doubtful whether many employers, and certainly most drivers, understand the extent of the damage that can be caused in this way.
When a tyre is forced up a kerb the tread edge is subjected to excessive loading. Up to one-third of the loaded weight of the vehicle may be carried by the outside rib of the tread of one tyre. In these circumstances it is perhaps not surprising that, when excessive loading is placed upon that portion of the tyre, the rubber tears. The damage occurs when the tyre rolls off the kerb. In consequence, even taking a kerb slowly may not be of any help, say tyre manufacturers.
Commercial vehicles today travel at higher speeds than were customary a few years ago and this has some bearing on the question of tyre damage when running up kerbs. After running for any considerable period at speed, tyres become hot and the treads inevitably become more susceptible to tearing and damage than when cold This means that careless treatment at the end of a long run could be more harmful than would have been the case a few years ago. With the higher speeds of modern vehicles there is also a greater chance of the driver cutting corners both when turning from one street into another and at roundabouts. Kerb riding in these circumstances is bound to be especially damaging.
It seems that here is a case where operators of vehicles really can do something to help themselves. Attention should be paid to this matter; driving staff should be warned about the danger of these practices and of the amount of damage that can be caused, particularly on or after long runs at speed, when the tread rubber is likely to be hotter than if the long fast run had not taken place.