Reliabilityweb Case Study on the Costs of Buffing

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Work Execution Management

Case Study on the Costs of Buffing

Work Execution Management

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 10,000 miles per 1/32"		6000
Average Cost (per 1/32) of Tread by Using Full Allowable Tread	$115 per tire 14 usable 32 ^nds		$8.21
Average Cost (per 1/32) of Tread when Buffing 3/32 of Usable Tread	$115 per tire 11 usable 32 ^nds		$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

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