Back when our truck tire retreading business was a simple 3,000-square-foot retread shop in rural Pennsylvania, retread tires weren’t exactly renowned for their safety and reliability. Antiquated retreading practices did little to factor out human error, often resulting in low-quality materials not suitable for widespread commercial use. However, recent advancements in truck tire retreading have led to higher-quality products that are just as capable as their new counterparts. In fact, modern retreads are even encouraged for commercial use by the DOT and EPA.
Technological Advancements in Truck Tire Retreading
During the retreading process, tires must be sufficiently buffed to remove all prior tread. In the past, this was done manually by making multiple passes with a buffer. Following this process, workers would then spray the buffed casing with cement and a layer of calendared cushion gum. Then, the casing was filled with raw rubber using an extruder gun. When retreading the tire, workers would struggle as rolls of tread rubber sat on the floor, requiring builders to straddle the tread, holding it in place as they guided it around the casing while it spun on the hub. As a result, retreads rarely achieved perfect straightness or balance and were riddled with imperfections.
Today, Michelin retreaders use an advanced initial inspection process, as well as computerized buffers, to more quickly and accurately perform the job of manual laborers. In addition, shearography inspection technology has enabled more detail inspection reporting to provide retread customers with more in-depth analysis for why their tires were either accepted or rejected from the retreading process. Computerized AZ cushion and tread applicators were introduced to improve quality and reduce waste from cutting the sides of calendared cushion to ensure a proper casing fit. The effects of these technological advancements can be best observed in the dramatically improved quality and performance of retread tires.
Results of Advanced Truck Tire Retreading Methods
As a result of advanced truck tire retreading methods and technologies, retread tires offer a host of incredible benefits to commercial fleets, including:
- Price: Because they use recycled materials, retread tires are less expensive than their newer counterparts while offering the same level of safety and reliability.
- Performance: With advanced fault detection and automated technology, retreads have become much harder to distinguish from new tires, offering comparable performance, longevity, reliability, and safety.
- Eco-friendliness: Created from recycled materials, retread tires prevent rubber waste and casings from building up in landfills and, potentially, leaching harmful chemicals into the ground.
Retread tires are only as effective and capable as the retreading provider that creates them. At STTC, our team has nearly 70 years of industry experience using the finest, most up to date, machinery and technologies available to create high-quality, safe and reliable retread products for your commercial fleet.
Partner with STTC for Your Truck Tire Retreading Needs!
Ready to make retread tires part of your commercial fleet? STTC has the products and services you need for long-lasting, safe, reliable truck tire retreading and tire preventative maintenance. Contact our team today to learn more about partnering with STTC for all your truck tire retreading service needs!
