Keep’em rolling with Galaxy ROTR range

August 12, 2020

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Tires that are to be a success in mining and construction have to deliver “on the tough side of life”. Bare rock, loose boulders and pebbles, gravel, sand, mud … the working environments tend to be rather diverse and challenging. With its all-steel radial off-the-road (ROTR) tire range, the Galaxy brand offers a full portfolio of tires with top durability and performance. (https://www.techandtrends.com/) Field tests in various parts of the world give clear evidence of Galaxy’s excellence in ROTR.

An all-steel radial construction offers a whole set of advantages. First of all, steel body ply ensures better carcass strength, ride handling and fuel efficiency when compared to bias tires. The steel belt package offers higher strength and thus improved puncture protection. The optimised belt design of Galaxy ROTR tires reduces the stress concentration at the belt edges and enhances durability. Last but not least, the open channel tread design allows for a smooth material flow that enhances self-cleaning characteristics.

The challenges

Machinery used, and tasks performed in mining and construction are equally diverse. Conditions vary in terms of site, usage and a range of other factors. As regards the site, terrain, gradient, ambient temperature and its variation, surface conditions and varying moisture levels are important aspects. When looking at the type of operation, minimum, maximum and average speeds are important, as are short or long hauling distances, and tire pressure. In addition, also factors such as driving skills, vehicle maintenance regime, potential use of mixed tire sets and possible overloads and abuses play an important role.

Machines using OTR tires include graders, dozers and loaders as well as earthmovers such as articulated dump trucks (ADTs) and rigid dump trucks (RDTs). According to the type of operation, the tires of these machines have to cope with surfaces such as smooth soil with clay, silt and sand, mud, small gravel, pebbles, overburden, boulders and bare & hard ballasted rock, as well as various material mixes. Operational or hauling distances may be a few to 100 metres for loaders and dozers, 100 to about 3,000 metres for dumpers and haul trucks  or even up to 5 kilometres or more for heavy rear dump trucks (RDTs).

The solution: Galaxy ROTR range

Diverse working environments which are typical for operations in mining and construction require different tread types and tread depths. Depending on operation, machine type, horsepower, size and weight, characteristics such as tire size, casing, speed, tread depth, re-tread-ability and long tire life are important. Developed and manufactured with great expertise and skills, the full range of Galaxy ROTR tires stands for low operational cost per hour, and hence low total cost of ownership.

When looking for the right tire for a given machine, the internationally standardised TRA code tells you some important details. Whilst E (earthmover), L (loader/dozer) and G (grader) indicate the type of machine, digits such as 2 and 3 (100 %), 4 (150 %) and 5 (250 %) give evidence of the tread depth. Typical Galaxy ROTR tires are the MGSR 200 for G2 Graders (MG) ), with steel belt (S) and radial construction (R), LDSR 300 for L3 loaders (LD), with steel belt (S) and radial construction (R), or the HTSR 400 for E4 haul trucks (HT), again with steel belt (S) and radial construction (R).

For the entire range of Galaxy ROTR tires – but with different emphases that depend on the area of application – traction, stability, cut and heat resistance as well as wear resistance are key requirements.

Top performers

Galaxy ROTR tires are top performers. The LDSR 300 E3/L3, for example, is a proven tire for various loading and earthmoving operations. Along with its stepped lugs, the S-type pattern offers an optimum lug to void ratio for superior traction and excellent self-cleaning characteristics. Special belts ensure carcass durability whilst the sidewall protector provides improved protection of tire flanks. A wear and cut resistant compound allows for superior chipping and chunking resistance.

In field tests performed in Australia, Galaxy’s LDSR 300 in size 23.5R25 gave evidence of about 48 % more working hours, i.e. longer tire life, than a direct competitor. Positive results were also obtained in the Ukraine: Again, the expected tire life after about 3,800 working hours was to exceed the performance of a competitor by 18 %. The operator’s comment gives a clear view: “Good comfort, good cut resistance, and the Galaxy LDSR 300 has better traction than the tire brand used before.”

Characteristics and performance of the Galaxy HTSR 400 (E4/L4) are similar: Deep tread pattern, superior traction, optimum lug to void ratio for mining operations, sidewall protector and special belt for carcass stability along with wear and cut resistant compounds with semi heat resistance properties in sum make for top performance and superior puncture protection. Customer feedback from Ireland (overburden transportation), Portugal (quarry operation) and Germany (open quarry) indicate high durability and a long tire life. Calculated on the basis of the initial wear during the first period of operation, a total of 9,400 working hours (Ireland), 10,300 working hours (Portugal) and 13,500 working hours (Germany) were projected, respectively.

These two treads just make for a small fraction of Galaxy’s full – and still growing – ROTR portfolio, but they provide clear examples of the performance of the range. So, you are in need of new tires for your mining or construction equipment? Just go for the smart, durable and economic solution: Galaxy ROTR tires!

Sudhanshu Singh

Product Manager (EMEA) – Solids, Forklifts & ROTR

P.S. Stay tuned as new patterns and sizes are coming up soon to offer a complete solution for tough applications under the Galaxy brand.