The selection and maintenance of tires for small tire-powered scrapers, wheeled scraper loaders, and other scraper machines are also crucial aspects of the training. Why is this so? The tires on scraper machines directly affect our project schedules, and proper use, as well as regular maintenance and upkeep of these tires, are essential tasks that scraper machine operators must perform. Moreover, reducing tire-related costs is the very foundation of our efforts to cut expenses and increase revenue.
　　Whenever a slag-removal machine manufacturer purchases a new set of tires, they meticulously classify and store them according to strict acceptance criteria. The size, model, and type of each tire must also be accurately recorded upon入库. After acquiring tires for the slag-removal machine, a comprehensive tire file should be established, documenting key information such as tire specifications, manufacturer, date of first use, mileage traveled, tread wear condition, and number of retreads. Newly purchased spare tires, after acceptance inspection, should be neatly arranged on shelves categorized by type, specification, tread pattern, brand, tire carcass material, and construction type. At the same time, the date of入库 should be recorded, and tires should be used in chronological order of their入库 dates. Stored tires must be placed upright on specially designed tire racks and rotated regularly. They must never be hung through the center or stacked on top of each other to prevent deformation. Inner tubes should not be folded or laid flat; instead, they should be inflated and hung from semicircular wooden rods. If old tires are to be sent for retreading, they must be properly stored before retreading begins and should never be left exposed to the elements. Prolonged exposure to sunlight and rain can cause tires to deteriorate. Also, tires should never be stacked on top of each other.
　　Before each shift begins and before any vehicle is put into operation, drivers must carefully inspect the tires. They should tap the tires lightly with a small hammer and listen carefully to the sound produced to determine whether the tire pressure is normal. They should also check for air leaks at the valve stems and ensure that the tire nuts are securely tightened. If solid tires have been selected, any hard objects or stones lodged in the tread grooves must be removed. The results of these inspections should be recorded on a designated form. If any issues are identified, they must be reported immediately; tires must never be used while still experiencing problems. Regularly monitor tire temperatures during operation. Under conditions such as speeding, overloading, improper inflation, abrupt braking, frequent uphill and downhill driving, and numerous sharp turns, tire surface temperatures tend to rise rapidly. This can cause the rubber to soften, making the tires more prone to delamination or bulging at the tire shoulders. When the tire temperature exceeds the specified limit, the vehicle should be stopped immediately to allow the tires to cool down.
　　Maintain the tire’s inflation pressure at a normal level—both pressures that are too high or too low relative to the specified value can shorten the tire’s service life. If the pressure is too low, the tire will deform significantly, generating excessive heat and making it prone to cracking on the sidewalls. This can accelerate fatigue and breakage of the cord layers or cause delamination, ultimately leading to premature tire failure. On the other hand, if the tire pressure is too high, it increases the contact pressure in the tread area, causing excessive wear or slippage of the tire crown, increasing vehicle ride roughness, reducing cushioning performance, and thereby raising the rate of wear and tear on the vehicle’s underbody components. Check the air pressure of “cold tires” once a week. If the pressure differs from the specified value by 0.2 kg/cm², adjustment is necessary. If the tire pressure drops by 0.7 kg/cm² within one week, a thorough inspection is required; if needed, the tire should be removed and taken for repair.