Wednesday, May 31, 2006
We’re all fighting for our survival.
Competition is fierce. We all know this. Most of us are working for similar rates to what we got 20 years ago! But our costs have skyrocketed. Rates and prices are set by world wide competition, or so we are told. They are definitely out of our control (out of control, some would say). Governments could help by increasing their efficiency, which would lower almost all of our costs, via lower taxes. But, I wouldn’t hold my breath. So what can we do?
Our only choice, if we are to survive, is to lower costs or improve our efficiencies. Yep, that’s why we are still in business. But, it’s the only business choice that we have. Correct truck and plant selection is critical. Modern fuel efficient vehicles, radial tyres, better trailers all help to lower costs. Special tyres may help. Scales can help us carry the maximum legal load every trip. Automatic greasers ensure longevity, and minimal downtime. Air dryers minimize pneumatic problems. Alloy wheels allow increased payloads.
Gone are ‘the good old days’ when we could fuel the truck, grab a load, and wait for the money to roll in. These days, we must be smarter, just to survive. Every tool, every vehicle, even ourselves, must be optimized to produce more for less. Tyres are our third major expense. Tyres carry every load, pull every trailer, converting horsepower to traction. Tyres should be optimized too, but almost no one does. This is a waste that we simply can’t afford.
To maximize traction while minimizing damage to our valuable land and crops, tyre pressures must be adjusted for every load and every terrain. Otherwise, you are wasting money. On hard ground, higher tyre pressures will increase traction, reduce rolling resistance, and improve tyre life. On soft ground, lower pressures provide substantially more traction, less wheel slip, lower rolling resistance, and improved tyre life. As tyre loads increase, like when using a front end loader, or carting an implement, or a load of wheat, tyre pressures must be increased. But, when empty, tyre pressures must be reduced, otherwise, punctures; stone bruises and tyre damage increase, tyre wear increases, and traction and handling reduce. Ride quality is another benefit from the correct tyre pressure, as is minimizing compaction. Tests have shown 2% more crop or growth because of less compaction from one pass, 7% less wheel slip, 6% less fuel usage, when ploughing. 90% improvement in ride quality is another advantage.
To maintain optimal tyre performance, hence optimal vehicle performance, and to minimize costs, tyre pressures should be adjusted and changed every time the load changes, and/or the terrain changes. If you don’t, it does cost you money. Tyre life, fuel economy, wear and tear, performance, and time, are all lost.
AIR Central Tyre Inflation makes on the fly tyre pressure adjustments easy. Simply rotate the dash mounted control to select the required tyre pressure. Simple, affordable, and very necessary. Ring them on 03 5127 6128. Australian made.
Our only choice, if we are to survive, is to lower costs or improve our efficiencies. Yep, that’s why we are still in business. But, it’s the only business choice that we have. Correct truck and plant selection is critical. Modern fuel efficient vehicles, radial tyres, better trailers all help to lower costs. Special tyres may help. Scales can help us carry the maximum legal load every trip. Automatic greasers ensure longevity, and minimal downtime. Air dryers minimize pneumatic problems. Alloy wheels allow increased payloads.
Gone are ‘the good old days’ when we could fuel the truck, grab a load, and wait for the money to roll in. These days, we must be smarter, just to survive. Every tool, every vehicle, even ourselves, must be optimized to produce more for less. Tyres are our third major expense. Tyres carry every load, pull every trailer, converting horsepower to traction. Tyres should be optimized too, but almost no one does. This is a waste that we simply can’t afford.
To maximize traction while minimizing damage to our valuable land and crops, tyre pressures must be adjusted for every load and every terrain. Otherwise, you are wasting money. On hard ground, higher tyre pressures will increase traction, reduce rolling resistance, and improve tyre life. On soft ground, lower pressures provide substantially more traction, less wheel slip, lower rolling resistance, and improved tyre life. As tyre loads increase, like when using a front end loader, or carting an implement, or a load of wheat, tyre pressures must be increased. But, when empty, tyre pressures must be reduced, otherwise, punctures; stone bruises and tyre damage increase, tyre wear increases, and traction and handling reduce. Ride quality is another benefit from the correct tyre pressure, as is minimizing compaction. Tests have shown 2% more crop or growth because of less compaction from one pass, 7% less wheel slip, 6% less fuel usage, when ploughing. 90% improvement in ride quality is another advantage.
To maintain optimal tyre performance, hence optimal vehicle performance, and to minimize costs, tyre pressures should be adjusted and changed every time the load changes, and/or the terrain changes. If you don’t, it does cost you money. Tyre life, fuel economy, wear and tear, performance, and time, are all lost.
AIR Central Tyre Inflation makes on the fly tyre pressure adjustments easy. Simply rotate the dash mounted control to select the required tyre pressure. Simple, affordable, and very necessary. Ring them on 03 5127 6128. Australian made.
