Why It Is Better For Construction Fleets To Invest In Solid Tires

Tires may not be the most exciting line item in the construction industry, but they are among the most undervalued in terms of long-term expenses and jobsite efficiency. Solid tires are subtly winning the long run in terms of uptime, safety, and financial savings, even though pneumatic tires might win on price up front. 

They must be chosen wisely for each piece of wheeled equipment, as they can increase or decrease the lifespan of your heavy equipment. 

Solid tires might be expensive, but they are smart investment

Solid tires may appear to be a costly investment at first. A single solid tire can cost between $800 and $1,200, which is almost two or three times as much as a pneumatic tire. However, it’s not the whole story.

Pneumatic tires can wear out in as little as 500 to 1,000 hours, especially when used on rough terrain such as forestry sites, construction sites with debris, or demolition zones. Are the tires solid? They have a maximum lifespan of 3,000–4,000 hours. 

As a result, there will be significantly less disruption throughout the machine’s life cycle and fewer replacements.

It can cost up to $60,000 to replace the pneumatic tires on ten skid steers each year. Even after deducting the higher initial cost, switching to solid tires may reduce that bill by half or more.

Think about downtime

An on-site flat tire is not only inconvenient, but also costly. The lost productivity from waiting for a service truck, stopping the crew’s work, and changing schedules can easily amount to hundreds or thousands of dollars. 

When you multiply that by the number of vehicles in your fleet, you can begin to understand why solid tires—which never go flat—are so popular.

Their ability to withstand punctures makes them perfect for high-risk settings. Solid tires keep machines moving through the mess, which includes everything from rebar and tree stumps to nails and scrap metal. 

They were quickly adopted by rental companies because it makes sense to have fewer damage claims and quicker turnaround times. For internal fleets, the same reasoning holds true: higher uptime equals fewer surprises.

They reduce equipment maintenance needs

Every pneumatic tire requires regular inspections, frequent air pressure checks, and emergency replacements, all of which are expensive, time-consuming, and labor-intensive. It could cost you between $200 and $400 to replace a single tire in the field, not including downtime.

These upkeep headaches are eliminated with solid tires. There are no sidewall blowouts, slow leaks, or air pressure to check. Your crew can concentrate on their work rather than wheel checks because it’s a more efficient and predictable maintenance schedule.

They keep you and your equipment safe

One more benefit that isn’t being considered? The load ratings of solid tires are generally higher than those of pneumatic tires, sometimes by 20% to 40%. This reduces the chance of blowouts and tipping hazards and improves used construction equipment stability.

Regarding liability and insurance, fewer tire-related incidents may eventually result in fewer claims and possibly cheaper rates. It’s one of those safety improvements that generates multiple benefits without being noticed.

Let’s break down the ROI data

Here’s a practical illustration: Over the course of four years, a $400 pneumatic skid steer tire that needs to be replaced twice a year would cost $3,200 per machine. Initially costing $1,000, a solid tire can last for three to four years, reducing the average annual cost to between $1,000 and $1,300.

For more than four years:

• Tires with pneumatics: $12,800 
• Durable tires: $4,300 to $5,300 
• Over $7,500 in total savings per machine

Imagine that savings over a fleet of 20 machines. Not including decreased downtime, fewer service calls, and maintenance savings, you could save more than $150,000. Isn’t it smart?

Consider long-term payoff

If you are in charge of a construction company or a fleet, you are already aware that every hour matters. 

Although solid tires aren’t particularly eye-catching, they subtly solve some of the most annoying and expensive problems on the job site.

They are not merely “tougher” tires; rather, they are a component of a more intelligent and effective plan, reduced downtime, less expensive over time, and safer processes. Solid tires are fast taking the lead for businesses looking to increase their profits without sacrificing quality.

Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more equipment offers and insights into the industry.