Historically, tires have been a fixture on skid steer loaders; however, as the number of tasks demanded of these versatile machines continues to grow, so do the types of tires available for them. There’s no one-size-fits-all tire solution for today’s skid steers, but matching the “right” tire to the conditions your machine is working in can pay off, improving everything from productivity to profits. For example, miniature solid tires offer numerous advantages to machines working in harsh, puncture-prone environments in applications such as demolition, scrap, waste and recycling.
Here are five reasons skid steer owners operating in some of the toughest applications are turning to solid tires.
Five advantages of solid miniature tires in severe applications
1. Puncture proof performance
The reason many minicart owners equip their machines with solid tires is that instead of being filled with air, they are made entirely of rubber. Their solid rubber construction makes them extremely durable and puncture proof, eliminating flats. This means skid steers equipped with solid tires can work in environments where the threat of a puncture is a constant, whether it’s a recycling center full of glass or a construction site full of loose nails, without the worry of downtime inactivity or to incur the costs of repairing or replacing a flat tire.
2. Long duration
The rugged construction of solid tires doesn’t just help them survive tough jobs like those found in waste handling and demolition, and even rougher terrain: it helps them last longer. The robust construction of solid tires and the use of special rubber compounds (for example, our Galaxy Hulk SDS tire has unique base and tread compounds) allows them to resist life-shortening abrasion and last two or three times more than comparable pneumatic (air-filled) tires.
A good way to visualize the expected life of a solid is to look at the comparable tire tread depth. A standard R-4 tire typically has about 28/32 usable rubber/tread depth. By comparison, the solid equivalent Galaxy Beefy Baby SDS comes with 92/32 of usable rubber, while the Hulk SDS packs an impressive 106/32 of usable rubber.
3. Low maintenance
Solid tires require very little maintenance. Because of its solid construction, there is no air pressure to check and no flats to repair/replace. Unlike foam-filled tires, there’s no expensive, labor-intensive filling process, and no messy foam and unexpected downtime from something like a cut sidewall.
When it’s time for new tires, the process of changing solids is extremely simple. Most solid tires are sold pre-mounted on the rims, making changing tires as simple as removing the old ones and putting on the new ones. Solid tires are also a bolt-on replacement for pneumatics, allowing owners to easily switch between the two, which is particularly beneficial for machines that operate on terrain better suited to a solid one day (such as demolition) and ideal applications for a pneumatic the following. (such as moving materials).
4. Strength and stability
Because solid tires are made entirely of rubber, they weigh more than comparable tires. This lowers the machine’s center of gravity and provides a more stable platform, especially when lifting loads. Solids also have a super high load capacity; for example, the Galaxy Beefy Baby SDS offers up to 40% more load capacity than a tire. The high load capacity of solids makes a big difference when, for example, a skid steer is transporting a large load of metal across the yard or a heavy block of granite through a quarry.
5. Lower total cost of ownership (TCO)
All solid tires share similar characteristics, such as solid rubber construction and being puncture proof, but not all solid tires are created equal. Yokohama Off-Highway Tires’ Galaxy brand sets itself apart from the competition. Galaxy solid miniature tires are made with uniquely formulated compounds that offer the perfect combination of flexibility; heat dissipation; and resistance to rubbing, cuts and splinters. They also feature special bead packs to minimize rim slip and transmit the power of a miniature to the ground.
When you add up the benefits of using a Galaxy solid miniature tire, along with the benefits of using one in applications with a high risk of flats (increased uptime, longer life, less maintenance and improved performance) , you get a tire with a lower total cost of ownership and an hourly cost that leaves competitors in the dust.
Application specific solid tires
Although solid miniature tires share some qualities, there are numerous characteristics that differentiate one tire from another. The key to maximizing your investment in solid tires is to choose an application-specific tire designed specifically for the job and conditions in which the tire will work.
The Galaxy line of solid tires from Yokohama Off-Highway Tires America, Inc. has an option for almost every machine and application. Some of the popular Galaxy solid tires and the applications they are ideally used for include:
- SDS Galaxy Super Smooth: Designed for use in waste and recycling applications, the Super Smooth SDS provides exceptional tool life, uniform wear and eliminates tip cracking on hard surfaces.
- Galaxy Hulk SDS: With 58% more tread depth than standard R-4 solid tires and a tough chevron block tread pattern, the Galaxy Hulk SDS is the go-to choice for work-dedicated skid steers hard on a variety of surfaces, such as handling feed and moving manure on dairy farms or working in a scrapyard.
- SDS Galaxy Beefy Baby: The Beefy Baby has been the gold standard in miniature tires for years and the solid version of this stalwart is a favorite of minicarts working in applications such as demolition and construction.
Solid vs pneumatic
Solid tires excel in tough applications where punctures are a hazard and failure is unacceptable, but there are still many jobs where tires reign supreme. Tires act as suspension and provide a more comfortable ride than solids, which can increase operator satisfaction and productivity, as well as reduce wear and tear on the machine.
One of the primary methods of getting the most out of your tire investment is to match the tire to the application and consider everything from tire construction, tread pattern, and unique features such as compound and the bead pack when deciding what type of tire to equip your machine with. with
Galaxy brand miniature tires
Solid tires have long been the choice for machines operating in severe duty applications, but are becoming more common for everyday use. Contact your local Yokohama Off-Highway Tire America, Inc. dealer or representative. to learn more about our Galaxy brand miniature solid tires and see if they are right for your application.
