Tire protection chains in test:

When we talk about tire protection chains (tpc’s) most mine managers think about reducing the cost per hour of their tires. But as a consequence of fitting tpc’s the added weight can increase the fuel consumption of the machine. On the positive side, the improved productivity of the machine, due to better traction, can outweigh this extra cost.
Together with active international mining and quarrying companies pewag austria Gmbh were keen to get a clearer picture on this topic. Read on to see the results!
In cooperation with a German basalt company pewag installed a full set of four Square Granite 18 tpc’s on a CAT.988G wheel-loader with 35/65-33 tires. The test situation ensured the usage of the same machine in the same conditions for 18 days without tpc’s, followed by 18 days with tpc’s on all four tires.

The data lead to the conclusion that overall the productivity of the machine rose by a massive 8,5% in tons per hour with tpc’s fitted. That meant that the company could increase their production by nearly 9% without investing in new machines or redesigning the operation.
At the same time the fuel consumption rose by 10.9% which equates to an increase of 2.5% per ton. The calculation of 8.5% more production vs. 10.9% more fuel is a simple one.
For the basalt company the results showed the proven cost efficiency of tpc use as well as the approval of pewag quality and service which has lead to the hand-over of the chains.
The second test was carried out in conjunction with an Austrian magnesite underground mining company on a Toro 301D scoop. The test situation was arranged so that first the production of the scoop was monitored for six months without tpc’s. For the second stage pewag installed a pair of Square Tycoon 14/16 tpc’s, size 17.5-25 in cone fit execution, on the front wheels of the machine.

The underground mine measures their output in bucket loads per hour, and in this situation the fitting of tpc’s inc