Michelin® Retread Technologies (MRT)

There’s a reason STTC uses MRT—no other inspection and retread process utilizes Michelin new-tire technology, materials, and quality standards to deliver genuine Michelin performance. Retreads built using the MRT are the first and only retreads built with:

STTC is proud to be an authorized Oliver dealer. Oliver is America’s 1st retread rubber brand with more than 100 years of experience. The Oliver retread process offers exclusive features that enhance traction and durability and deliver consistent results you can count on.

Why Retread Truck Tires?

Retreaded truck tires represent a savings of over $2 billion each year for North American trucking and transportation companies.

For most fleets, tires represent the largest item in their operating budget, right after labor and fuel costs.

The lowest possible cost-per-mile is achieved with a good tire management program that includes the use of high-quality retreads.

Retreads are the replacement tire of choice for most truckers. Of the replacement tires purchased by fleets last year, retreads equaled the number of new replacement tires.

Retreads are not only cost-effective, they are dependable, reliable, and safe. Retreads are used by truckers with scheduled delivery times, by overnight delivery companies, on commercial and military jets, and by most school bus operators.

Retreads are environmentally friendly. It takes over 20 gallons of oil to manufacture one new truck tire. It takes only 7 gallons of oil to produce a retread.

Fun Facts About Retread Tires

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Retread Process

1) Grazing Light Inspection

A unique grazing light technique is used from shoulder to bead to detect subtle irregularities that might indicate potential problem areas.

2) Electronic Liner Inspection

Powerful electronic currents pinpoint otherwise invisible defects.

3) X-Ray Inspection

Suspected steel damage, identified during grazing light inspection, is examined by fluoroscopic x-ray. This advanced x-ray system reveals the status of the steel belts and cables hidden within the casing.

4) Radial Buffing

A computer-controlled radial buffing system is used to ensure optimal undertread depth. Precise buffing is critical to retread performance as a correct undertread contour promotes long, even treadware.

9) Enveloping

10) Pre-Mold™ Curing

Pre-Mold retreads are cured to Michelin protocols for time, temperature, and pressure.

11) Final Inspection

No retread leaves the STTC plant without undergoing a comprehensive final inspection, ensuring that all finished retreads adhere to Michelin’s stringent quality standards.

The Environmental Benefits of Tire Retreading

In running your fleet, it’s critical to meet ongoing environmental targets and capitalize on the available financial incentives. Our team at STTC has worked with fleet operators across the country to guide them on the environmental advantages of tire retreading. And within our latest post, we’re exploring these benefits and explaining their value to your business.

Reduction in oil use

The data shows that 21 gallons of oil are used to produce one new tire. While only 7 gallons of oil are used to produce each retread tire. This means that 14 gallons of oil are saved each time a company chooses a retread tire over the equivalent new tire option.

Limits the number of tires in landfills

The number of tires now in landfills is now at over 800 million. And the data shows that re-using tires before they become scrap products can help to reduce the landfill impact by a factor of three to four.

Re-use post-consumer material

The material comprising the tires can also be used more effectively when used in the tire retreading process. They contain 75% post-consumer material, ensuring that material that would otherwise not be available for use in the marketplace is now reworked back into the production process.

A growing industry

Tire retreading is now a quickly growing industry, both in the United States and across the globe. The studies show that 13 million tires are retread annually, ensuring that their materials remain out of the local landfills and are used more effectively to help companies support their environmental initiatives.

The economic benefits

Beyond the environmental benefits, there are many business advantages to consider when reviewing tire retreading. Growing fleets across the country are now generating significant economic value simply by turning to retreading over new tires.

These economic benefits include:

A lower cost per mile

A retread tire costs on average 1.5 cents per mile compared with a new tire that costs on average 4.5 cents per mile over its lifetime.

Reduced fuel costs

Lower cost per tire

The retread tire costs about $150 to $200 less per tire than the average new tire, helping growing fleets reduce their capital investments significantly.

Four Reasons to Choose Tire Retreading Over New Tires

There has been some controversy over tire retreading in recent years, with many raising concerns about retread’s safety and effectiveness. Undoubtedly, this is also somewhat due to tire retreading being partially unregulated, and therefore creating some variance in the quality of products on the market.

However, the truth is this: When you have tire retreaded which is by a certified service center using manufacturer-guaranteed retreading systems, the result is no different than buying a new tire. It’s just cheaper. Multiple studies have concluded that a properly-done retreading does not compromise safety or tire longevity. As a result, retreading has been embraced throughout many industries, including those with “can’t fail” standards such as aircraft, military vehicles, and school buses!

Why A Retread Tire is a Good Buy

Pure Cost Savings
Given that tires are almost always in the top five budget items for a transportation company and commercial truck operators and usually in the top three retreading your worn tires represents a huge savings opportunity. . Collectively, the amount saved by the shipping industry is estimated to be in the hundreds of millions per year.

Warranty Protections
Major tire manufacturers such as Michelin aren’t fighting the retreading trend – they’re embracing it! Michelin offers their own Michelin Retreading Technology (MRT) systems, which is employed by Service Tire Truck Centers. STTC is upheld to high quality standards set by Michelin and as a result STTC warranties every retread it produces. In addition, by retreading a tire the original manufacturer’s warranty on the casing’s lifespan and run out guarantees are not voided.

Dependability
Forget stories you may have heard that all that tire rubber on the side of the road comes from retreads – it’s flat out untrue. Studies have analyzed rubber debris along the roadside and have concluded that the majority of tire debris collected was not due to manufacturing deficiencies in the retread process. Whether new or retreaded, the clear majority of tire incidents come from driving on underinflated tires and road hazards- no matter what their origin. Properly-done retreads are just as reliable as new tires.

Green Friendly
Producing a tire retread only requires about 35% as much oil consumption as a new tire. In addition, every tire retreaded is one less tire that needs to be sent to a landfill.

How to extend the life of retreaded tires with Proper Maintenance

As we’ve mentioned in this blog before, there are a lot of misconceptions surrounding tire retreading. Some of these misconceptions have roots in earlier versions of the technology, from the 1980s, that did legitimately have issues. Others, however, simply have no basis in reality – like the idea that retreaded tires have lower lifespans than standard tires.

When properly done, a retreaded tire is identical to a new tire. In fact, some tire manufacturers – like Michelin – create their own retreading processes and rubber. They go so far as to offer the exact same warranty guarantees on their retreaded tires as on new tires! If tire retreading in any way harmed the durability of the tires, they simply would not do this.

So why do people tend to think that retreaded tires have shorter lifespans, or are more prone to blowout? It just boils down to maintenance.

Tire Retreading Requires the Same Maintenance as Other Commercial Truck Tires

It goes without saying that a company looking into tire retreads wants to save money. Unfortunately, many such companies take their cost-cutting a bit too far and start skimping on the maintenance of their tires as well. A poorly maintained tire, whether new or retreaded, is going to wear out more quickly than one which is properly maintained.

If you hear people complaining about their retreads, chances are they simply aren’t taking good care of them.

As with new tires, it’s vital to maintain proper inflation. In our own experience, nothing contributes to early tire failure more than owners/managers not staying on top of tire inflation. Checking the tires’ pressure should be part of regular maintenance, and they should always be topped off once they dip below the manufacturer’s recommended PSI.

Likewise, tread depth should be checked carefully as well. All other things being equal, a retreaded tire will wear down at roughly the same rate as a new tire – which means retreads are just as susceptible to losing tread depth. Of course, the benefit here is that when the treads do wear down, the tire can just be retreaded again.

Casing Asset Management

BIB TREAD™ Software System

Using barcodes, your casings are tracked from their pickup to their return with STTC’s BIB TREAD™ software system. Casing barcodes are continually scanned throughout the entire retread and repair process, which means that all casing information (retread specifications, etc.) is displayed at each step in the process. This comprehensive management allows STTC to ensure rigorous adherence to fleet-defined business rules, including specs according to manufacturer, size, and tread design.

Total Asset Accountability

During the retread and repair process, BIB TREAD not only provides information, it gathers it as well, producing detailed reports that provide you with total accountability of your assets:

Casings retreaded by tread design

Reject summaries

Repair summaries

Adjustment reports

Detailed casing inventory

The analysis of these reports can help you identify problems, build solutions, and, most importantly, validate those solutions. BIB TREAD also helps improve your inventory control by:

Letting you track the status of your casings while they’re at STTC

Providing timely information on what has been retreaded and what hasn’t

Letting you know exactly how many tires are in stock at any given time

STTC Michelin® Retread Limited Warranty

An STTC Michelin retread bearing the following DOT: KAY, EBR, EKA, or YLT will be covered by this warranty.

Defects in Workmanship & Material Life of the Tread Warranty
If above described tire, upon presentation to STTC, is determined to have become unserviceable due to a defect in our workmanship or material involved in the actual retreading of the tire, STTC will either retread the tire or issue a credit on a pro-rata wear basis. The replacement price will be based on the customer’s buying price. This warranty will remain valid until a remaining tread depth of 4/32 of an inch or a period of two years from the purchase of the retread as dated on the retread DOT number.

The Safety Record of Tire Retreading -The Facts

There’s a lot of misinformation out there about commercial truck tire retreading, and it’s costing fleet managers as well as owner-operators a lot of money! There is still a widespread belief that retreading is somehow dangerous, lowers fuel efficiency, or otherwise isn’t cost effective – but that’s simply not true anymore.

Yes, there was once a time that tire retreading could be a bit problematic – but that was back in the 1980s. In the decades since, retreading has become a perfected science. It’s so reliable that manufacturers like Michelin will now offer full, like-new warranties on retreaded tires using their systems! That should tell you all you need to know. If retreads were even slightly less reliable than new tires, would tire manufacturers be offering full warranties?

No, they wouldn’t.

In the meantime, tire retreads can offer you substantial benefits over new truck tires, including:

Substantial Cost Savings

Aretreaded tire costs less than half what a new tire costs! It’s exactly like getting a new tire, except you spend far less to have it done. Furthermore:

Tires Can Be Retreaded Multiple Times

The exact number will vary from tire to tire, but at a minimum, most tires can handle at least three retreads. Again, that restores them to like-new condition, and with full mileage and warranty protections attached. Over the lifetime of a truck, that can add up to huge savings – and with no compromises.

Less Environmental Impact

A lot of rubber goes into making tires, and that’s contributing to our overall over-reliance on petroleum products. Disposing of old tires can also create significant environmental and landfill hassles. Retreads don’t solve the problem entirely, but they can definitely help. A typical tire retreading uses a third of the petroleum in its manufacture than a new tire.

And, again, those environmental savings add up every time a tire is retreaded.

Versatility

Each retread manufacturer offers tread designs for virtually any operating application Retreads are just as versatile as new tires.

The Top 5 Reasons to Use Tire Retreading for Your Commercial Fleet

Commercial fleet operators must continually review the bottom line to ensure a full return on investment in their vehicles. Many utilizing options such as tire retreading as they look to consolidate their costs further in 2018. In this latest post, our team at STTC highlights the top five reasons to use tire retreading for your commercial fleet.

Retreads offer great traction and safety

Some of the reasons so many commercial fleet operators use tire retreading is because the retreads offer optimal tire wear, superior traction, and safety for the vehicle. To highlight this point, government agencies often choose retread tires for ambulances and fire trucks, which require the highest level of safety for quality performance. The data shows that bald tires and underinflated tires are the likeliest cause of tire-related accidents, and so proper tire maintenance is of the utmost importance.

Retreads save money

The most expensive part of the tire is the casing, which is why it’s important to preserve the life of the casing even if retreading the rubber on the exterior. Rather than having to replace the entire tire when the rubber diminishes, companies can avail themselves of the retreading process and achieve like-new performance. Because tires represent the largest part of the average maintenance budget for fleet operators, retreading can lead to significant profit enhancement.

Retreads support your environmental initiatives

Many fleet operators are now turning to green initiatives to showcase their company’s commitment to the local environment. Tire retreading is an important part of this process. The process of tire retreading uses 15 fewer gallons of oil per tire than required to manufacture a new tire product. Carbon emissions and material use are also reduced when committing to tire retreading processes. Additionally, a tire that is retreaded is one less that needs to be disposed of. This means companies can help improve the environment while reducing their in-house costs significantly.

Retreads offer durability

Another clear advantage of retread tires is that the tire is designed to offer durable performance over the years ahead. Because they are made of similar rubber compounds and tread designs as new tires they wear in a similar amount of time as new tires. Most retread tires will last several years when maintained effectively.

Retreads are available for all types of vehicles

You can now find retread tires for all types of fleet vehicle. This is ideal for those with growing fleets that require tires for various kinds of trucks. The marketplace provides a full range of options from which to select, so you can find the ideal option that provides safety and vehicle performance for the long-term.

Four Warnings That Your Truck Tires Need Attention or Tire Retreading

There’s a lot that can go wrong with commercial truck tires on the road. However, most of the time, your tires will be showing you clear warning signs well before they fail. Paying attention to these indicators can provide you plenty of forewarning it might just be time for some new truck tires or to look at tire retreading.

Whenever you’re inspecting your tires, these are the most critical warning signs to watch out for.

Four Signs It’s Time for Tire Replacement or Tire Retreading

1– Impairment From Under- or Over-Inflation

Improper tire inflation can sometimes be fixed simply by adjusting the air levels, but when driven on for too long, it can quickly lead to significant damage to the tires themselves. If they’ve been under-inflated, you’ll see undue wear around the edges but little wear in the center of the tread. When they’re over-inflated, it’s the opposite, with the middle of the tread worn down. Once the damage becomes visible, they’re unsafe to drive on. Also, under-inflation will degrade the belt package and sidewalls, which can lead to a blowout.

2- Impact of Bad Alignment

When your steering tires are poorly-aligned, it will cause them to both show unusual wear patterns. This generally manifests as either toe-in or toe-out. It’s toe-in when there’s too much wear on the outer edge, and toe-out when the wear is on the inner edge. Either way, this quickly leads to dangerous situations due to a weakening of the affected edge.

3- Result of A Poor or Broken Suspension

If your suspension is having issues, that will eventually present uneven wear patterns. The wear may weave back and forth over the tire or be isolated in one place. There will also be different wear patterns on each tire. If you observe these indications, you’ll need to fix your tires and your suspension before too long.

4- Damage Caused By Hitting Roadway Debris

Left behind or caused by other drivers, roadway debris can cause big problems. Whenever a truck runs over roadway debris, even if it seems minor, drivers should always stop and double-check the condition of their tires. Otherwise, it’s basically playing Russian Roulette. Did the debris cause damage or puncture the tire? You won’t know unless/until they fail.

Four Big Innovations in Tire Retreading

As a technology, tire retreading continues to advance alongside other shipping tech. Retreading has existed for about a century, and every decade brings improvements: Easier methods of retreading, better lifespans, and improved all-around results for owners.

Today is no different. Tire retreading is better than ever, with even more benefits to owners and fleet managers. These are just a few of the ways modern retreaded tires are the best yet.

Four Big New Improvements in Tire Retreading

1 – Automation

Automation has made its way into tire retreading, and it’s improving both speed and quality of the finished product. Many processes which had to be done by hand in the past, such as buffing away the old tread or performing QC inspection, can now be done as part of automated processes. However, some processes like the Michelin one have more automation than others.

2 – Improved Quality Control

Going hand-in-hand with automation is the steady improvement in sensors for computer systems. Retreaded tires are still visually inspected, but computer systems are being used more and more to assist in producing higher quality retreads. One example is sensors on the buffer to ensure proper buff depth and radius based on individual information from the tire.

3 – More and Better Synthetic Rubber

One of the big problems with tires, in general, is that their rubber is a petroleum product. That means they aren’t eco-friendly, and the prices of tires can fluctuate alongside other petroleum-based products. That’s why so many companies are investing in synthetic rubber research. Every year, new formulations come out that find ways to replace more natural rubber with synthetics, without compromising quality. Synthetic rubber also increases the durability of the tire, thereby decreasing the wear.

4 – Better Warranty Guarantees

It surprises some people to learn that the vast majority of tire retreading operations are directly associated with a major tire manufacturer, such as Michelin. Tire companies enthusiastically embraced retreading as a cost-cutting measure too! As the technology has improved, they’ve begun offering warranties which are identical to what new tires get – even for tires which have gotten multiple retreads!

Get Quality Tire Retreading From STTC

Our technology is cutting-edge, and we offer full manufacturers’ warranties on all tires we retread. To save money on your fleet’s tires, while still getting top-line performance, visit your local STTC to ask about retreading.

Michelin Offers Smartway® Verified Retreads

Michelin Americas Truck Tires is pleased to announce that three MICHELIN® retreads have been added to the SmartWay® verified technologies list and four are in the process of receiving SmartWay® verification. With SmartWay® verified dual drive and trailer treads and wide single drive and trailer treads, Michelin will have full coverage in SmartWay® retreads for over the road.

“Retreads represent about half of the tires on the road. Michelin agrees with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) SmartWay® program’s overall strategy of including retread products to reduce the fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions of line-haul Class 8 trucks. MICHELIN® low-rolling resistance retreads reduce fleet operating costs by increasing fuel efficiency and extending tire life,“ said Ted Becker, vice president of marketing for Michelin Americas Truck Tires. “Michelin has been a leader in fuel efficient tires and retreads for decades, and we strive to meet the demands of our customers today and tomorrow.”

MICHELIN® retreads verified by SmartWay® are compliant with California Air Resources Board (CARB) Greenhouse Gas regulation for low-rolling-resistance tires. These retread options allow customers to be CARB compliant when California implements the requirements for SmartWay® verified retreads on January 1, 2013.

Michelin looks forward to offering SmartWay® verified wide base single retreads, and will continue to submit a wide range of our retread products to the verification process. More information about the SmartWay® program as well as verified low rolling resistance tires and retreads can be found at epa.gov/smartway.

About Michelin Retread Technologies

Established in the U.S. in 1998, Michelin Retread Technologies Inc. (MRT) brings the rigor of Michelin new tire innovation and manufacturing to both the process and product of retreading in North America. The network of MRT franchisees operates 77 retread plants in North America, which follow a consistent, rigorous, and highly audited nine-step manufacturing process to deliver uniform results across tires and retread plants. The MRT retreading plants use the most advanced technology available to examine 100% of the casings before retreading. Two patented retreading processes – Pre-Mold™ and Custom Mold™ – use Michelin’s new-tire design technology, allowing North American fleets to maximize the life of their tire assets. MICHELIN® retreads may be found in over 700 points of sale in the U.S. For more information on Michelin

The New Technologies Being Deployed in the Tire Retreading Marketplace

Fleet operators are continually seeking ways to reduce the cost of their operations. One of the leading costs is tire replacement. Until recently, each time a vehicle’s tire was ripped or severely damaged, the owner would simply buy a new tire to replace it.

But with significant advances in tire retreading, many operators are now capitalizing on the newest technologies to keep their fleet’s tires in the ideal condition. In this latest post, we’ll highlight some of the new technologies being deployed in the tire retreading marketplace.

Tears fixed using vulcanizing rubber

Many tire retreading firms are now using vulcanizing rubber to small cuts. The rip can be the result of debris on the road, scrubbing, or simply due to long-standing wear and tear on the tire.

After inspecting the tear, the maintenance tech will clean out the affected area with a carbide cutter and then uses computer precision to control the extrusion of a single slab of uncured tread rubber, ensuring the proper coverage of the injury. This permanent repair work helps to extend the service life of the tire and minimize the cost of the tire investment for the fleet operator.

Latest studies show 30% of scrap tires are repairable

A leading study concerning the tire retreading marketplace has recently shown that up to 30% of commercial truck tires in scrap yards across the country are repairable. This means it’s important that fleet owners have a clear understanding of which forms of damage can be repaired and which are unlikely to have a remaining service life.

For example, a bulging tire can be repaired safely if the additional bulge in the tire material does not exceed 1cm in height.

The data also shows that a new truck tire requires 22 gallons of oil for production. A retread requires about 7 gallons, significantly limiting the use of a finite resource.

Knowing these details can save fleet managers from sending tires to scrap yards and spending big dollars on new tires when they can be safely retreaded at a much lower costs, similar lifetime and saving one more casing from the landfill.

The importance of professional tire retreading

While some companies are now looking for cheaper tires produced by non-expert manufacturers, tire retreading has been shown to maximize tire life and to provide the highest levels of working tire safety on the road.

It’s critical for professional tire retreading to take place for all retreading jobs. Even small tears in the rubber can lead to rust and inner material separation if the tear is not noted, cleaned and filled.

Our experienced tire experts can help to guide you and your fleet business on the value of tire retreading in the modern marketplace. To discover more about the retreading industry and the many benefits retreading can bring to your business, visit our nearest STTC location to ask about retreading.

STTC Highlights Shifting Trends in the Tire Retreading Market

Bethlehem, PA-based STTC is now highlighting shifting trends within the retreading marketplace. The company has significant experience in the tire retreading industry and has begun showcasing data released from within the industry in 2018.

Many top independent providers of tire retreads have become part of larger networks at Bridgestone, Goodyear, Michelin and other major tire firms. This process has helped create larger markets for providers to tap into the larger company’s distribution networks for their products.

Industry challenges

This year, low-cost products being imported from abroad are putting pressure on domestic retreading companies. Some Chinese companies are offering new tires at the cost of a retread and in some cases even lower. However, the foreign-made tires are of poor quality and have been known to cause significant issues for fleets relying on them to run their vehicles. Most cheap Chinese imports are made with much lesser quality than large name brands and do not have the same retreadability, thus reducing their lifespan and value. Studies have shown that while 64% of U.S. companies have purchased cheaper foreign tires in recent years,only 23% will continue to purchase them.

Carriers are also now carefully committing to their environmental initiatives. And this means that many companies are investing significantly in retread tires as opposed to new tires as a way to mitigate their impact on the environment in the long-term.

Reliable retreading companies

In choosing retread tires, it’s important for companies to work with brands that are recognized in the marketplace for their quality tire production and testing processes. The team at STTC are experts in this area of the industry. To discover more about tire retreading and the significant value of the STTC product line, call their team now at 610-991-8641 or visit www.sttc.com.

Factors that Influence Tire Wear and Performance

To mitigate the potential cost of replacing tires at less than optimal intervals and the potential safety risks in using worn tires, it’s important you learn more about the tire wearing process. Our tire retreading experts have decades of experience within the industry and we can help guide you in understanding more about the factors that influence the performance and wear of the latest tires. In this latest post, we’ll explain more about the factors influencing tire wear.

Air Pressure

We know that underinflating a tire by 15% equals approximately an 8% decrease in expected mileage. This means companies can save thousands of dollars a year through optimal tire inflation. Under inflation of 10 PSI can cause tires to wear out 20% faster than average. Companies must, therefore, educate their drivers on the importance of proper tire inflation to ensure a lasting return on the investment in their tires.

Tread size

Another reason that it’s so important to work with recognized tire retreading experts when seeking out new tires for fleet vehicles is the impact of tread size. The data shows that for every size that a tread is undersized from the recommended width, the mileage for the tire is reduced by 10%.

Alignment

We know from the leading fleet studies that misaligned drive and trailer axles can cause dog-legging, which pulls the vehicle in an irregular motion and causes rapid wear of the tires. Toe alignment also greatly effects tire wear. A setting just 1/16th of an inch off will make the tires travel sideways for about 150 feet of every mile.

High torque

While high torque can increase the power of the vehicle, it can also impact the level of wear on the tires. The latest big diesel engines have upwards of 900 cubic meters of displacement via 6 cylinders and can generate up-to 2,000lbs of torque. This increases the stress, deflection, and deformation of the tire over time. And so it’s critical to consider the balance between high-torque vehicles and optimal tire performance for effective fleet management.

Our tire retreading experts can work with your fleet to determine the factors influencing tire wear. We have decades of experience in the industry and can help guide you in optimizing fleet performance and tire value for the coming years. To discover more about this important operational topic, please call us today.

Does Tire Retreading Impact Tire Safety?

One of the foremost considerations for all trucking fleet operators is the safety of their drivers and vehicles. And so ensuring that their drivers have access to the best-performing vehicle components is priority number one. Within this latest post, we’ll explain a little more about the value of tire retreading and explore whether the tire retreading process impacts tire safety.

The elements that impact tire safety

It’s important to note that there are many elements that can impact the safety of a tire. For example, the following can cause a significant safety issue for truck drivers:

Misalignment

Improper maintenance

Road hazards

Tire Overheating (often due to under-inflation)

These elements are the leading considerations when reviewing tire performance. Studies have shown that retread tires perform just as well as new tires in terms of road use. And there are now strict policies in place to ensure that retread tires are certified for optimal safe performance after they’ve gone through the tire retreading process. This ensures that you’ll receive a high-value product when you invest in retread tires over the coming months.

The benefits offered by retread tires

Beyond their high safety levels, retread tires offer a number of additional benefits to your fleet. These benefits can include:

Reduced costs

Retread tires have a lower cost per mile than new tires and can be purchased for a much lower initial investment price.

Flexibility

Because of their strong performance, retread tires are suitable for a range of road conditions and fleet applications, further helping improve the return on investment in the latest tire products.

How to ensure optimal tire performance in the long-term

Buying from a trusted vendor can help ensure you locate the ideal tires for your fleet. But it’s important to consider the following steps to enhance the maintenance of your tires over the years ahead:

Train drivers to complete routine tire checks during each stop

Complete frequent monitoring of tires and respond quickly to each damage report

Commit to tire rotation and balancing according to the manufacturer’s recommendations

Check tire pressure often, particularly during cold weather

Our experienced team helps fleet operators get the highest value from their retread tires. To discover more about tire retreading and the benefits of retread products, give our team a call today.

How Old is Too Old for Tire Retreading?

Tire retreading is now helping companies across the commercial trucking industry to save thousands of dollars per miles driven on their vehicles. But one of the major concerns that many have with the tire retreading process is knowing when the tire is too old to go through the process for an effective result. In our latest post, we’ll examine the question “When is a tire too old to go through the tire retreading process?”

Age not the leading consideration

The main things you should note when considering tire retreading are the age of the tire, how many times it has been retreaded previously, and the application that the tire is operating in.

When considering a potential tire for retreading, companies are more likely to consider the type of application in which the tire has been involved. Whether the tire has been involved in off-road applications or long-haul driving activities could be a leading determinant in its potential for retreading. Different applications have specific industry averages for acceptable age restrictions. Severe use fleets tend not worry about age, where as long haul fleets cap the age of their tires around 7 years. Severe use fleets also tend not to worry about how many repairs are in the tire, but long haul on average allows 3 repairs.

Tires that have undergone significant stress, either due to tough working conditions such as long-standing off-road driving, or as a result of limited maintenance, may not be suitable for retreading regardless of their relative age. Since stress is an important factor, fleets limit the amount of times a tire can be retreaded. A tire that has had 2 retreads on it has undergone more stress than a tire with none, therefore it may be less suitable for retreading.

No clear industry guidance on age restrictions for tires

While there is no clear guidance regarding the age at which a tire is no longer suitable for the tire retreading process, it’s considered old when the tire reaches six years of active performance. The tire retreading company will conduct an in-depth inspection to determine its current condition. This inspection includes analyzing all potential failure points for the tire and testing whether its structure is strong enough to allow for the retreading to be completed.

Work with a qualified retreading company to ensure quality tires

The only way you can be assured of the quality of the retread tires delivered to your fleet is by working with a qualified retreading firm and discussing their tire analysis and testing work with them. Find out more about the stages each tire goes through within their plants, and then make a decision based on the data the company is able to provide.

A casing asset management program can also pay dividends over the long term. These programs allow you to decide the specs acceptable for capping your tires; such as how many times it has been capped, the age, and how many repairs are necessary.

Mold Cure vs. Pre Cure Tire Retreading Styles

When you’re considering tire retreading options for your fleet, you’re likely to run into specific questions: hHw long can a retread tire last? Where can I find quality retread tires? Etc.

But perhaps the most important question to consider is: how is the retreading process completed? In this latest post, we’ll explain the differences between the two leading styles of tire retreading – mold cure and pre-cure.

Mold cure retreading

Mold cure retreading involves first applying a non-vulcanized rubber tread directly to the top of the buffed tire. The freshly rubberized tire is then placed into a stiff mold, which contains the appropriate design for the tread of the tire. The mold is then heated, which causes the rubber within the mold to vulcanize and adhere to the tire with precision. It’s a process that is almost identical to the way the world’s leading manufacturers produce new tires.

The pre cure process

The pre cure style of tire retreading involves the use of rubber that has already been vulcanized with the new tread design. A thin layer of cushioned gum is placed on the tread area of the newly buffed tire and the pre-cured tread is then applied. The cushioned gum works as a bond to attach the new layer of precured tread to the tire. The tire is then placed directly within a curing chamber to complete the adhering stage.

The pros and cons

In examining the various merits of the pre cure and the mold cure style of tire retreading, it’s important that you select an option that is right for your company. Many prefer the aesthetic value of the mold cure tires because the tires don’t have the visible bond line, which can be found on some pre cure tires.

The leading factor is manufacturing quality

When completed by trained professionals, both the mold cure and the pre cure styles of tire retreading have been proven effective. The most important factor in your decision should be the experience of the retreading specialist and their access to the latest production technology.

The Benefits of Tire Retreading

Commercial fleet operators are always looking for ways to reduce their expenditures and achieve higher returns on investment for their operations. We know that the cost of new tires is rising and this is part of the reason many fleet operators are now turning to tire retreading. Our team at STTC has many years’ experience providing clients the highest quality retread tires for their fleets, and within our latest post, we’ll highlight the benefits of tire retreading vs. buying new tires.

Rolling resistance

While years ago there were issues with rolling resistance, some retread designs now offer the same level of low rolling resistance as the leading new tires in the marketplace. This means fleets can achieve the same high level of fuel efficiency using retreads than new. There are even SmartWay approved treads.

Lowest cost per mile

When determining the value of a tire, the most important consideration is the cost per mile. The data show that tire retreading supports a lower cost per mile than buying new tires. This is the case because you get to reuse the casing each time you retread, therefore saving the cost of the casing. By committing to tire maintenance and harnessing the value of retreading, companies can save thousands of dollars per tire over the product’s lifetime.

Reusing the Casing

Another clear value of retreading is the reuse of the tire casing. The casing can often be used as many as three times before it’s no longer viable. Retreading companies are exceptionally careful in inspecting the casing to ensure the structure is safe for the retreading to be completed. The process helps ensure further value for money for the fleet operator.

An environmentally friendly alternative

Companies across the fleet operations marketplace are now able to meet their environmental targets by committing to tire retreading. Retread tires are among the most environmentally-friendly tire options for fleet vehicles. The studies show that retreading a tire requires only 7 gallons of oil compared with producing a new tire, which requires 22 gallons of oil. There are over 24 million retread tires sold each year, saving an estimated 360 million gallons of oil and 24 million fewer tires to be disposed of.

Our trusted team at STTC is here to guide you in reviewing the value of tire retreading for your fleet. To discover more about our work and the full range of options we have available, please call us directly today at 610-954-8473.

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