Rotating Bias-Ply Tyres: Best Practices for Heavy-Duty & Off-Road Applications

The requirement for off the road tyre and heavy-duty tyres in the Indian market is increasing. Tyre performance is no longer a matter of convenience anymore. More concerning factors are safety, cost efficiency, and performance efficiency.

Out of the modern tyre constructs, the bias-ply tyres have niche applications. To preserve tyre health and ensure longevity, bias-ply tyre users rely on tyre rotation.

In these tyres, durability and load-carrying capacity are crucial elements. However, drivers must focus on proper rotation practices to increase the lifespan of bias ply tyres.

In this article, let's explore the internal anatomy of the bias ply tyres, why they are effective on rugged surfaces, and best practices to increase their lifespan. In heavy-duty applications and OTR situations, there are key tactics to amplify the lifespan of the bias-ply tyres.

Based on the insights from the R&D team of Birla Tyres and best practice framework from across the industry, this article advises the fleet managers, operators, and enthusiasts on the best practices for the heavy-duty and off-road applications, using bias-ply tyres.

Understanding The Construction and Characteristics of the Bias Ply Tyres

Birla Tyres' R&D team used several fabric cord layers in the construction of the bias-ply tyres. The fabric used in the construction is either nylon or polyester. The cords lie diagonally throughout the tyre at angles that range from 30 to 45°.

The plies inside the tyres cross each other to add strength and durability to the vehicle and make the tyre last for a longer lifetime. The criss-cross creates a robust carcass, highly integrated with the sidewall of the tyre. Moreover, the plies are treaded to a single structure, which is quite rigid.

The key features of the Bias-Ply tyres include:

• Rigid sidewalls offer high resistance to tyre cuts and safeguard against abrasions and any other impact.

• High durability, which is ideal for surfaces where your vehicle runs at low speeds, and especially in high-load environments like mines, agriculture, and construction sites.

• Self-cleaning tread: Certain lug-pattern bias tyres feature self-cleaning treads, useful in agriculture and soft terrain.

• Cost-effective, in terms of manufacturing, compared to the usual radial tyres.

Radial tyres are preferred on highways due to their fuel efficiency and comfort but are also increasingly used in OTR and agricultural applications. Meanwhile, the bias-ply tyres are usually selected for typical off-road conditions and heavy-duty zones. In such terrains, the toughness of the tyres matters more than the drivers' comfort.

Why is rotation crucial for Bias-Ply Tyres?

What is tyre rotation? Tyre rotation refers to the process of shifting the tyre from one position to another to ensure that all tyres wear equally. But why is this process so significant in the case of the bias-ply tyres?

The bias-ply tyres are hardened, which might lead to uneven tread wear if not clinically managed.

Long-term Benefits of Regular Bias-ply Tyre Rotation

Slow wear is the immediate effect of rotation in the case of bias-ply tyres. However, there are actual benefits to the tyres in the long run, described below:

• Extension of the tyre life to prevent premature wear on the drive axles.

• Rotation improves traction, which in turn ensures a consistent tread depth across all the tyres installed on a vehicle.

• Improved safety, which reduces blowout risks and reduces the extent of handling issues

Seamless load distribution to ensure a more balanced performance under situations that demand carriage of heavy loads.

What are the Best Practices for The Rotating Bias-ply Tyres?

What is tyre rotation best practice? There are five best practice frameworks for the rotation of bias-ply tyres. Here is a summed-up discussion of all five of these practices.

1. Following a scheduled rotation interval

Tyres need to be rotated with hours of operation, load cycles, terrain, and distance travelled (kms) into consideration—especially in OTR/mining/agriculture vehicles. Rotation intervals vary by application — typically 250–300 operating hours or 5,000–8,000 kms in haulage, but earlier in severe mining or construction conditions.

However, R&D experts at Birla Tyres suggest that rotating the tyres before 5,000 Kms is also indicated if you observe uneven wear. For that, you have to keep the tyres under constant surveillance.

For instance, the mining trucks and construction fleet need more precise monitoring. They usually run on abrasive terrains. Therefore, it is more likely that the bias ply tyres installed on those vehicles would wear away before 5,000 kms.

2. Using an appropriate rotating pattern

Your rotating pattern depends on the vehicle where the tyres are installed. The rotation pattern depends on whether the tyres are directional or non-directional.

The common pattern would be front to rear for the vehicles that come with similarly sized tyres on all ends. Meanwhile, the X-pattern is ideally used for non-directional vehicles. The X pattern implies crossing the tyres diagonally to ensure even wear.

Side-to-side rotation is common in dual-fitment positions or when using directional lug tyres to preserve tread orientation.

The two tyre series of Birla Tyres, Ultra Drive Platina, and the Kalapatthar+ come with a special deep-lug. This pattern needs side-to-side rotation, ideally, to maintain the directional integrity.

3. Inspecting the weather and damage closely

Before you rotate the bias-ply tyres, you have to observe each tyre installed on your vehicle's wheels closely. But what to observe and how?

During tyre maintenance, you have to check the tread depth. Ideally, truck drivers use tread gauges and wear indicators to check the tread's depth. In addition, drivers must check for cuts, cracks, and punctures in adverse conditions.

If there are sidewall bulges or abrasions, it is time to rotate your bias-ply tyres. Hence, you have to keep a tab on these problems as well. Moreover, you should check the tyres for uneven wear patterns, which might be an indication of alignment problems or suspension-related issues.

The bias ply tyres can resist punctures. However, you can reduce the effect of the minor damages through regular inspection. This is how you can ensure you do not meet operational failure.

4. Maintain an Optimal Inflation Pressure

The tyre pressure directly impacts the wear pattern. The under-inflated tyres undergo wear on the edges. However, over-inflated tyres undergo wear around the centre. Meanwhile, the bias-ply tyres are highly sensitive because of the rigid sidewalls. Pressure variations cause them to undergo more aggressive wear.

According to the technicians at Birla Tyres, tyre pressure should be checked daily (before shift) for OTR/mining, and at least weekly for agriculture and haulage. For off-the-road vehicles, adjusting pressure based on the terrain is ideal. For the softer grounds, you have to lower the pressure, which helps in increasing the footprint. However, the rocky terrains call for higher pressure, which prevents sidewall damage comprehensively.

5. Matching Tyres by Size and Type

While rotating, you must ensure all of your vehicle tyres are of the same size. Their load rating and tread pattern should also be the same. If you mix the types, it might lead to unstable handling and also uneven wear. It happens more in the case of bias-ply configurations where sidewall rigidity has a critical role to play.

What are Tyre Rotation Strategies Based Upon Application?

There are three crucial rotation strategies, application-based. We will narrow down these strategies here:

1. Mining and Quarrying

The vehicles operating in commercial mining ecosystems endure extreme conditions. They encounter sharp rocks, constant abrasions, and heavy loads. Birla Tyres recommends Ultra Trac and Ultra Slick tyres, which are designed with reinforced casings and cut-resistant compounds.

What is Tyre Rotation Strategy

Usually, tyre makers recommend rotating the tyres every 5000 to 8000 kms. Meanwhile, prioritizing drive axle tyres for rotation to nullify the effects of higher torque wear is more important. Drivers can also use nitrogen inflation to avoid heat buildup. N2 inflation also helps in maintaining an ideal pressure stability.

2. Agricultural equipment

The tractors and harvesters frequently use the bias-ply tyres that come with traction patterns like herringbone lugs. These tyres are known for firm grips when the terrain is soft. However, they undergo uneven wear from constant turning and load shifts.

What is Tyre Rotation Strategy

• For such vehicles, an ideal rotation strategy would be one based on seasonal usage patterns and the terrain on which the vehicle typically operates.

• To avoid drastic rotations, drivers should check for soil compaction and adjust the tyre pressure in sync.

• To preserve the directional treads, they might resort to side-to-side rotation.

3. Construction Vehicles

The loaders, graders, and dump trucks can deliver performance under a variety of terrains. The bias ply tyres manufactured by Birla Tyres, like Grader Max or Loader Max, offer a deep treading advantage along with a considerable load capacity.

What is Tyre Rotation Strategy

• Rotation is imminent after every 6000 kms or every month.

• Regular monitoring for tread chunking and sidewall abrasions is also advised.

• Drivers should also maintain a consistent pressure across all the tyres to avoid any kind of uneven wear.

Birla Tyres: High Octane Engineering with Bias-Ply Technology

Now you have an idea of tyre rotation and how Birla Tyres designs products to reduce uneven wear and minimize rotation needs

Birla Tyres is a pioneering company in manufacturing innovative bias-ply tyres. There is a dynamic range of products, custom-made for heavy-duty and off-road applications. Birla tyres feature effective compound formulations for higher durability.

Advanced compound formulations are used to improve cut and wear resistance. Tyres manufactured by the OTR specialized tyre brand also come with deep tread designs that offer superior traction.

The OTR and TBB ranges feature models like Kalapatthar, Ultra Grip, and Platina, which are engineered for specific terrains and versatile load conditions. These tyres not only ensure stability and performance, but also reduce the need for frequent rotation.