Other products include the RT4A for rigid dump trucks.

Andy Morris, director of OTR for Goodyear Dunlop explains: “Demand in both replacement and original equipment remains strong. Despite moves from all manufacturers to improve capacity, short and long-term supplies of tyres from all manufacturers remain marginal and it is not envisaged that this situation will ease before 2008.”

The continuing demand for raw materials – coal, iron ore, etc. – will maintain the pressure for tyres as these commodity supplies expand production to cope with world demand. This has led to Goodyear Dunlop focusing attentions on working closely with customers to optimise their tyre management.

Goodyear Dunlop has a dedicated earthmover team focused on monitoring tyre performance and assisting the customer. Different site operations have different requirements but advice is continuously provided to increase the tyre life, which is of mutual long-term benefit.

“Tyre pressure maintenance repairs, tyre rotation, and forecasting estimated requirements are key to the longevity of a tyre,” explains Goodyear Dunlop’s Andy Morris.

“Now more than ever there’s a requirement for sound advice. Because of the tyre shortage it is important that operators maximise their tyres and plan ahead for their requirements. Because tyres are not readily available off the shelf, if customers are not advised on forward planning, machine down time could prove very expensive,” he said.

He concludes: “It is important that we work closely with these customers and raise awareness of the tyre shortages throughout the organisation making all customers conscious about looking after what they’ve got and forward planning as far in advance as they can.”