ForConstructionPros.com

With approximately half of today's construction fleets running on bias-ply tires and the other half shod with radials, it's important to understand the benefits and impact on operating costs of each type. While North American construction fleets lag Europeans in the adoption of radial tires, their market share continues to grow.

"The larger the equipment, the higher the percentage of radials," says Dave Wright, manager - global OTR product support, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. "It continues to go toward radials. It's just a matter of how long will it take to completely change over."

The replacement market demonstrates the different adoption rates by size. "For the smaller machines that have a 23.5 R 25 or smaller, the market is about 40 percent radials, but it's climbing," says Tomas Bennett, market segment manager for forest and construction, Michelin North America. "You get into the bigger machines with a 26.5 or a 29.5 and it's about 50 percent. The large mining trucks are 80-percent plus."

This trend is being driven by the advantages of radials in many applications. "While the upfront purchase price of a radial is slightly more than a bias, in the end the total cost of ownership is almost always lower," says Rob Mills, marketing product manager, Bridgestone/Firestone Off Road Tire Co. "Radials offer lower fuel consumption, better traction and flotation and improved cut resistance in the tread area, and run much cooler than bias."

"Radial advantages are pretty much across the board," agrees Wright. Typically they offer longer tread wear and a smoother ride.