Tire Temperature, Wear Patterns & Maximizing Tire Life

By Sammuel MacMullin | Proven Mining Solutions Inc.

🛞 Tires — One of the Highest Operating Costs in the Fleet

Undercarriage and tires are two of the biggest expenses in any operation. A failed tire is never just a tire — it’s lost production, idle equipment, a rushed recovery, and sometimes a tow bill you wish you could forget.

Smart tire management isn’t complex — it’s about attention and discipline.

🌡️ Tire Temperature Tells a Story

Temperature is a fast, accurate indicator of how a tire is performing.

How to CheckUse an IR thermometer (the same one used for brake checks).

What to Watch For

• All tires should be within a similar temperature range.

• A single tire running hotter means something is off.

Possible Causes of a Hot Tire

• Low air pressure → more sidewall flex = heat.

• Internal damage or separation.

• Uneven or excessive load.

• Brake drag.

• Bearing or hub lubrication failure.

• Wrong tire for the application.

Heat = Friction, and friction kills tires.

🥾 Wear Patterns Tell You Exactly What’s Wrong

Tires don’t wear randomly — they wear in patterns that point straight to the problem.

Wear Pattern	Likely Cause	Notes
Inside/Outside Edge Wear	Alignment or axle pivot wear	Check kingpins, bushings, and toe settings.
Center Wear	Over-inflation	Pressure too high for load.
Both Edges	Under-inflation	Pressure too low → heat build-up.
Cupping/Scalloping	Suspension or hub looseness	Inspect bushings & bearings.
Diagonal Wear	Inflation + alignment issue	Start with pressure check.

Each pattern is a message from the machine. Learn to read it, and you’ll save tires before they fail.

🔧 Inflation Pressure — The Make-or-Break Factor

Tires are engineered to carry specific loads at specific pressures.

• Under-inflated tires flex excessively, building heat and causing internal damage.

• Over-inflated tires lose contact area and wear down the center fast.

Check pressure under the same temperature conditions you operate in — cold shop readings lie.

🛠️ Operating & Jobsite Practices

You can extend tire life just by changing a few habits.

• Avoid spinning tires when digging or loading.

• Don’t pivot on dry-packed ground at full steering lock.

• Maintain smooth, crowned haul roads free of debris.

• Limit carrying heavy loads long distances — loaded tires generate heat and cut faster.

• Use spotters for tight turns to prevent scrub damage.

Small changes in operation add up to massive tire savings.

💧 Wet Tires Cut Easier

When rubber is wet, it’s far more susceptible to cuts.Water acts as a lubricant between the tire and sharp objects like rock or steel.

The Analogy

Every technician who’s ever trimmed a rubber mudflap knows how hard it is dry.Spray it with Windex, and the blade slides through like butter.

Same thing with a tire.A wet tire slips over debris instead of gripping it, and that reduced friction lets sharp edges slice deeper and faster.

Field Takeaways

• Avoid tight turns or heavy loading when tires are wet.

• Slow down on wet haul roads with exposed rock.

• Treat wet conditions as “increased tire risk time.”

🧰 Pro Tips From the Field

• Use an IR thermometer on both brakes and tires during operation.

• Wet tires cut easier — train operators to recognize high-risk conditions.

• Rotate or swap positions on unevenly wearing tires.

• Paint-mark pressures for trend tracking.

• Maintain a tire log for PSI, temps, and rotations.

• Keep operators refreshed on best practices — driving style matters.

❌ Common Mistakes

• “Set it and forget it” tire pressures.

• Ignoring heat and pressure changes between seasons

• Overlooking small cuts or chunking.

• +Waiting until failure to inspect.

Tire failures don’t happen instantly — they warn you first.

🔧 Proven Mining Has You Covered

From building inspection routines to operator training and data-based wear tracking, Proven Mining Solutions keeps your equipment rolling safely and cost-effectively.

📞 587-723-8777🌐 provenmining.ca