Buffing is the removal of a tire before it is necessary.
Minimum Allowable Tread Depth by US Law | |||
Steering axles | 4/32” | ||
Drive axles | 2/32” | ||
Trailer axles | 2/32” | ||
Annual Cost of Using Full Allowable Tread vs. Buffing | |||
Fleet of 100 trailers—each unit travels 75,000 miles/year | |||
Average trailer tire tread depth from retreader – 6/32” | |||
Assume a cost of retread of $150 less $35 for case (at end) gives you $115 for 14/32” of usable tread | |||
Assume 10,000 miles per 1/32” | |||
If tires are removed at 5/32” (rather than the allowable 2/32”) then 3/23” usable tread (or 21% of the capacity) is lost. | |||
Total Tire-Miles per Year | 75,000 miles per year x 100 trailers x 8 tires per trailer | 60,000,000 | |
Total Tread Consumed (in 1/32) per Year | 60,000,000 tire miles | 6000 | |
Average Cost (per 1/32) of Tread by Using Full Allowable Tread | $115 per tire | $8.21 | |
Average Cost (per 1/32) of Tread when Buffing 3/32 of Usable Tread | $115 per tire | $10.45 | |
Annual Cost Using Full Allowable Tread | 6000 x $8.21 | $49,260 | |
Annual Cost with 3/32 Buffing | 6000 x $10.45 | $62,700 | |
Yearly Savings with Use of Full Allowable Tread | $62,700 - $49,260 | $13,440 | |
Other considerations of buffing usable tread:
- The last few 32nds of a worn tire actually last longer than the first few 32nds.
- The MPG increases as the tire wears—with less rubber there is less rolling resistance.
Tip from Basics of Fleet Maintenance by Joel Levitt
Basics of Fleet Maintenance is designed for anyone who is involved with operating or maintaining mobile equipment. This book is written in a clear, straight forward style as it identifies important issues for managing fleet maintenance in today's environment. In addition to providing strategies and techniques for fleet maintenance management, this book is full of useful checklists, self assessments, real world case studies and a special list of 50 action items that you can use to rapidly direct your improvement efforts.
Topics range from Decision support, maintenance cost control, work standards, shop design, parts management, warranties, fuel management, tires, leasing and insurance. The latest information management strategies are also extensively covered.