The In Depth Process of Repairing Earthmover Tires

When dealing with commercial truck tires, repairs are a fairly easy process.  You start by cleaning the injury, then inserting a plug, and finally covering the injury area with glue, a patch.

However, things are a different when you’re trying to repair earthmover tires.  When dealing with a tire that can cost thousands of dollars, weighs a few hundred pounds tons, and can stand well higher than a man it’s a whole new world.  However, it’s fully possible to make a permanent repair to earthmover tires – and STTC are the specialists.

A Quick Guide to Repairing Earthmover Tires

1. Decide if a repair is possible.

The repair manufacturers provide a wide variety of charts covering the types of damage that can occur, as well as the width and depth of the damage, to ultimately determine if a repair is recommended and what size patch to use

2. Clean the “wound.”

Much like patching up a person, the repair process requires a clean injury.  Additionally, there will be silicone worked into the tire and treads, which has to be manually scraped off to make room for the repairs.

3. Buff out the damaged area.

This is one of the reasons not all damage can be repaired.  Every bit of damaged steel, cord, and rubber material needs to go, so that means entirely buffing/digging out all the damage.  If that buffing process goes too deep into the tire’s interior, it can’t be repaired.

4. Apply cement.

After vacuuming away the debris from the buffing, a coat of cement needs to be immediately applied to protect the interior of the tire.  This keeps the interior from separating apart, or steel elements (in radials) from being exposed to additional moisture.

5. Apply filler gum.

This gum will help bond the patched material to the rest of the tire, so it needs to be applied smoothly and with no air bubbles trapped inside.

6. Apply the patch.

Finally, it’s ready to apply the patch – a large chunk of material which is bonded to the carved-out area of the tire.  It also needs to be cured, either by heat or chemical methods.

7.  Apply pressure.

The patch can’t be held in place with glues and chemical bonds alone.  Mechanical pressure needs to be applied to the patch to make sure it creates a secure hold.

Need repairs to your earthmover tires?  Contact your local STTC to schedule an appointment!