For Mining
Over the years, mining operations and equipment have become greater in efficiency and scale, reducing costs per yield. As a result, mining productivity is now evaluated more on an exploitation efficiency basis than the conventional cost per hour basis.
With total operating costs calculated according to mined tonnage, super‑large big payload trucks are a boon to mine owners everywhere. Here's proof: 190-210 short-ton trucks, once mainstays in mining yards, have been replaced by larger 220-240 short-ton-class models by the end of 1990s.
The fact that larger dump trucks need larger tyres to accommodate the greater load and stress applied means promising prospects for Bridgestone. That's because over 70 years of experience distinguish Bridgestone tyre technology, design and manufacture. Bridgestone's 3.5m diameter tyres for such huge vehicles as 220-240 short-ton dump trucks, for example, bear up to about 60 tons each. One tyre weighs 3.6 tons!
How big are such trucks and tyres? Just imagine a vehicle the size of a two-story house moving around in a mining pit.