Recycling Mining Tires: A Practical Solution to a Giant Problem
The largest mining tires are nearly 14 feet tall and 5 feet wide. Not only would it dwarf a human being, it wouldn’t even fit in a living room. Even mining tires of a more modest variety are typically 9 feet in diameter. They are made for large, off-the-road (OTR) mining vehicles and must bear both incredible weight and brutal road conditions. They are made to move the earth, and so they are made to be tough.
The Problem
But under the rough conditions and huge loads, even the toughest of huge tires will wear out. Their tread will fade and proper safety (and good business) will demand they be replaced. A new OTR tire will be bolted on to the giant machine and work will continue.
But what can be done with a 9 foot tall tire once it is no longer attached to a vehicle? There just aren’t a lot of trees big enough for a tire swing of that size, even if it could fit half a kindergarten class.
Disposing of tires comes in two forms: incineration or piling them in junkyards. Either of these methods creates significant, negative environmental affects. But there are healthy ways to deal with used mining tires.
The Solution
Western Tire Recyclers uses special equipment to shred tires, even the large ones, into small bits. This rubber mulch is then used to make the soft rubber base for playgrounds or in road construction, helping to make a quieter, durable, and cost effective paving material.
Western Tire Recyclers has also been successful in turning mining tires into tire water tanks. These tanks range from 5 to 13 feet in diameter and can fit up to 2,000 gallons. Their size combined with their durability makes them perfect for agricultural use.
The life of a mining tire passes from the unbelievable to the almost undesirable, from helping drive the economy to taking up space in the scrap heap. Thanks to businesses like Western Tire Recyclers and their OTR tire recycling solutions, however, OTR tires can create another practical solution rather than a giant problem.
