What Brazil's Political Crisis Could Mean for the Brazilian Mining Industry

Demonstration in Brasília outside of the National Congress Building.

If you've been paying any attention at all to global news reports, then you're aware that for some time, there's been trouble brewing in Brazil. To summarize an excellent article appearing in CNN Money, the unrest is due largely to dissatisfaction with rampant political corruption, a tanking economy, and wildly soaring stock market values.

Throughout the month of March, while rumors of President Dilma Rousseff's impeachment flew, demonstrators took to the streets in many cities across the country, with huge movements in São Paulo even leading to clashes between police and anti-government protesters.

What does all of this mean for the Brazilian mining industry?

In the short term, nothing good. Anything that disrupts the smooth operation of a country negatively affects the country's industries, and the mining industry is no exception to this. If the protests continue, Brazil may struggle to retain even its current (questionable) level of economic stability. No one would desire to see this situation develop.

On the other hand, these protests could benefit Brazilian mining in the long run. If the protests lead to a national movement to abolish corruption improve the national economic policies and general governance, then Brazil's tanking economy has a chance of turning around, benefiting all industries - including mining. However, just like an ultra-class haul truck, national economies the size of Brazil's don't turn on a dime. Any turnaround in the economic fortunes of Brazil will probably take a couple of years at the very least.

As you know, we've been following this story as it has developed throughout March, and we plan to follow it to its conclusion. If you have questions, comments, or concerns, feel free to sound off the comments.

As always, remember that we carry a full line of OTR tires for all of your mining needs. Feel free to contact us for information on our product lines or to consult on our current deals.

Image credit: By Agência Brasil CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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Possible Blueprint for Turning the Australian Mining Industry Around?

It's no secret that the Australian mining industry has been in free fall for quite some time. Mines and plants are closing, jobs have been cut, and small towns that rely on the mining industry for their ongoing economies are drying up.

Although we have discussed in previous posts that the situation could soon turn around, the evidence so far has not supported such optimistic hopes. Even as recently as early March, news that more than 2,000 mining jobs are set to be cut during 2016 made its way into the Sydney Herald. Clearly the downward spiral continues.

Recently, individuals within the industry have begun asking some tough questions. One of those questions asks this: Why isn't more attention being paid to ongoing innovation and the sort of technological development that set the Australian mining industry apart through the early Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries?

Almost no profiling has been provided when discussing the benefits of innovation and technology within the resources sector that has demonstrably provided over a sustained period some of the most effective innovation and new technology developed in Australia and historically the industry has also been early adopters of new technology (Australian Mining).

If the Australian mining industry has indeed been known for developing new ideas as well as being early adopters of new global technologies, might not this be a good time to play to those strengths? Companies could channel these newly unemployed (but knowledgeable and experienced) miners into areas of research and development, therefore increasing the odds that the Australian mining industry will not completely stagnate while simultaneously combating unemployment.

Do you have questions or comments about this idea? Feel free to sound off in the comments. As always, Remember that we carry a full line of OTR tires for all of your mining needs. Feel free to contact us for the best deals.

Image credit: Blue Diamond Gallery

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Titan OTR Tire Specials

We've got some hump day tire deals for you. This week we've got special pricing on select Titan OTR tires. Check out the full line up below.

• 2pc - 21LX24 TITAN R4 - $725.00 ea
• 4pc - 15.5X25 TITAN G2 12 ply - $450.00 ea
• 13pc - 17.5R25 TITAN MXL - $725.00 ea
• 4pc - 20.5X25 TITAN G2 16 ply - $675.00 ea
• 12pc - 20.5R25 TITAN MXL - $1,025.00 ea
• 13pc - 1400R24 TITAN TGS2 SNOW - No Serial numbers - $735.00 ea
• 6pc - 17.5R25 TITAN TGS2 SNOW - No Serial numbers - $880.00 ea

All tires listed are new. All prices are US Dollars and are plus freight. If you have any questions, please contact us. We can also provide you with a freight quote.

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Is There Hope for Restructuring the U.S. Coal Industry?

If you have been following U.S. mining industry news at all, then you're no doubt already aware that all is not well in the coal sector, nor has it been for some time. Ranking near the top of the list of concerns is the suspicion that the country might not actually have much more economically viable coal to mine.

[An] exhaustive government analysis says that at current prices and mining rates the country's largest coal reserves, located along the Montana-Wyoming border, will be tapped out in just a few decades (Salt Lake Tribune).

Since this area of the West is known to have the largest deposits of coal in the nation, the conventional wisdom that America is the "Saudi Arabia of coal" has naturally been called into question. Some have even gone so far as to say that the entire industry is "falling apart."

Not everyone greets the news of shrinking coal reserves with such dramatics, however. Sidestepping the general hand-wringing and pronouncements of doom, many experts believe that while the U.S. mining industry must certainly face some restructuring, such restructuring will keep the industry viable well into the future.

As supporters of the U.S. mining industry and purveyors of OTR tires, we look forward with avid interest to seeing how the coal industry digs its way out of this slump. We have little doubt that they will do so in good time, and we look forward to reporting their progress to you in the days to come.

In the meantime, bear in mind that we carry a full supply of OTR tires for all of your mining needs. To hear more about our current deals, please feel free to contact us.

Image credit: Powder River Basin Map by USGS via Wikimedia

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The Goodyear Eagle-360, 3D Printing, and the Future of the Industry

In October of 2015, we theorized that 3D printing could very well be the future of the tire industry. It seems that Goodyear has decided to ride the wave into the future with their Goodyear Eagle-360 3D printed concept tire.

One of two new concept tires the company announced recently, the Eagle-360 uses 3D printing technology to make customized treads available to their consumers. Since this is one of the practical uses of 3D printing that we anticipated in our post, we're pleased to see the industry proving us right and availing itself of the possibilities.

Video: The Goodyear Eagle-360 Concept Tire

It's obvious that in designing the Eagle-360 and other models, Goodyear is looking to the future, anticipating that this is the direction toward which everything seems to be heading:

[The] spherical-shaped Eagle-360...was designed with key features of maneuverability, connectivity and biomimicry for autonomous mobility, while the IntelliGrip, featuring advanced sensor and treadwear technology, is a solution for the earlier adoption of self-driving vehicles (Goodyear).

If phrases such as "autonomous mobility" and "self-driving vehicles" make you feel as if we're about to enter the realm of science fiction, know that we're right there with you. We're not scared of the changes, however: we're excited by them, thrilled to live through a time of such rapid technological development.

What does all of this mean for the world of OTR tires? Although it's still a bit too soon to make definitive statements, we don't think that anyone will be terribly surprised to hear reports of OTR manufacturers taking a page out of Goodyear's playbook and offering customized treads to appeal to their various demographics of miners, farmers, and other heavy-equipment users. But only time will tell.

Questions? Thoughts? Opinions? Feel free to sound off in the comment section.

Remember that we carry a full line of OTR tires for all of your big-rig needs. Feel free to contact us for information on our current inventory and to ask about the best deals.

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OTR Tire Manufacturers Optimistic about the Future

Makers of OTR tires faced a downturn in 2015, a downturn due in part to events taking place in the overall global mining industry. After all, nearly all OTR tires are used in mining equipment, meaning whatever happens to the mining community directly affects the makers and purveyors of OTR tires.

Since 2016 is still a fairly fresh year, it's not possible yet to predict exactly how the markets will react. There seems to be evidence, however, that the downturn won't follow us all the way through to 2017. High-ranking executives from top tire companies have weighed in, and the consensus seems to be positive overall.

The mining segment is cyclical. We are optimistic about the future of this market and expect demand for off-road tires to increase steadily as the need for mineral resources grows with a measured economic expansion across the globe,” says Bridgestone’s Cole (Tire Review).

We know that the markets are driven by supply and demand, and when demand drops there must be a corresponding drop in supply to bring the market and prices back into balance. At some point, the industry self-corrects and brings supply back into balance with current demand. Of course, sometimes the mining industry and their suppliers overshoot and cut production too much, or demand picks up much faster than industry forecasts predicts and the market flips to the opposite imbalance and excess demand drives up prices and calls forth more supply.

Here at BuyBigTires.com, we've seen these cycles in the past. We see no reason to assume that they won't be part of our future, and we look forward to seeing the turn around with our own eyes. And as we've seen in the past, the turn around could just be on your doorstep much soon than you were expecting!

Remember that we carry a full line of OTR tires for all of your mining needs. Feel free to contact us with questions you might have or to hear about our current deals.

Image credit: By SilverStar at English Wikipedia, CC BY 2.5

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The Brazilian Mining Industry and the Economic Downgrade

Demonstration in Brasília outside of the National Congress Building.

It's no secret that Brazil is currently in the middle of one of the worst economic downturns it has faced in recent memory. The economy shrank sharply in 2015, and it doesn't seem that the trend is likely to reverse any time soon.

A paralyzing political crisis, rising inflation and interest rates and a sharp drop in prices of key commodity exports have formed a toxic cocktail for Latin America's largest economy (VOA News).

Although it wasn't listed explicitly in the source article, the long-term medical impact of the Zika Virus also factors into Brazil's overall instability.

Normally, this would be the point at which people would begin to ask what the downturn means for the Brazilian mining industry, which has historically been one of the leading contributors to the country's strong GDP. Instead, the question is being framed in terms of what the industry may have done to contribute directly to the downturn.

Considering that during 2015 the mining sector saw the failure of a major dam and the worst oil strike in twenty years, the Brazilian mining sector cannot open claim to be completely above the country's current set of woes. These two events, apart from harming the overall mining community, had an almost incalculable impact on the country as a whole--both the economy and the people. While mining leaders cannot be held accountable for all factors leading to the country's economic downturn, they are being held responsible for their share and doing what they can to make amends.

For our part, we look forward to a future in which Brazil as a whole, the mining sector included, is able to sort out its issues and come back better than ever.

Remember that we carry a full complement of big tires for all of your mining needs. If you have questions or comments, or if you would like to hear about our current deals, please feel free to contact us.

Image credit: By Agência Brasil CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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How Does the U.S. Mining Industry Benefit the Economy? Let Us Count the Ways

Although the U.S. mining industry has had its ups and downs lately, nobody can deny that its very existence is a great benefit to our country's economy. At least, they shouldn't deny it. The mining industry is extremely influential, providing much-needed assets to other industries, creating jobs, and generating revenue.

Just in case anybody needs convincing, we've gathered the facts and crunched the numbers.

Providing Assets

When it comes to natural resources, America is blessed. This country has the largest coal reserves in the world, and is the leading producer of clay, lithium, phosphate, magnesium, sulfer, and salt. American mines also are the world's second-largest producers of both gold and copper. Through the efforts of the American mining industry, the world is provided with the raw materials needed to create, explore, invent, and produce.

Creating Jobs

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Natural Resources and Mining Super-sector employs upwards of 700,000 men and women across the country--not to mention the millions involved in supportive roles. Although these numbers have fallen slightly between 2015 and 2016, this is still a strong industry with plenty of employment opportunities.

Generating Revenue

Stat-gathering site Statistica estimates that the mining industry adds $453 billion in value to the country's overall economy per year. With U.S. mining generating a gross profit of $300 billion in 2012 alone, we can only stand in awe of such numbers and wonder where we would all be without mining.

Here at Buy Big Tires, we are proud to stand in support of the U.S. Mining Industry, and we are thankful for all of the men and women who daily commit themselves to excellence.

Remember that we carry a full complement of OTR tires for all of your mining equipment needs. Feel free to contact us with questions, comments, or hints on our current deals.

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Canadian Mining Industry News Roundup

Although we haven't said much lately about the Canadian mining industry, we've been keeping tabs on recent developments. Today we bring you a roundup of recent news stories from the web to keep you apprised of what's been going on with our mining friends to the north.

Canadian Mining Industry News Roundup

• "R&D Provides Much Needed Boost in the East" - In recent years, the funding funneled into Newfoundland and Labrador by the mining sector has been a huge boon to the entire area. Along with helping local mines to tap into the region's huge mineral deposits, this funding has aided in innovation and exploration.
• "Indigenous Women Ask Questions" - One year ago, the Native Women's Association of Canada received funding to help indigenous women overcome barriers -- including barriers in the advancement of those pursuing mining careers. A group of indigenous Native women met to take part in constructive dialogue to determine if the steps taken have been effective. Since the term indigenous encompasses First Nations, Metis and Inuit women, this ongoing dialogue has far-reaching implications. We look forward to seeing how these women are able to effect change and contribute to the mining industry.
• "Canadian Mining Hall of Fame Welcomes Five Industry Leaders" - At its 28th annual induction ceremony recently in Toronto, the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame inducted five men for their contributions to the industry: Keith Brimacombe, Harold Williams, Stewart Blusson, Louis Gignac, and Robert Friedland. Each one's investment of time, talent, and skill has advanced the effectiveness of both the Canadian mining industry and the industry as a whole.

As we contemplate these stories, we're pleased to note that all of them are generally positive. We're happy to know that Canada's mining future seems bright, and that we can all look forward to seeing more good reports in the future.

Remember that we carry a full line of OTR tires for all of your mining needs. Please feel free to contact us for the best deals.

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OTR Tires Tarriff: The Saga Draws Toward a Conclusion

If you've been keeping up with what's been going on in the world of OTR tires lately, then you already know about Titan and the United Steel Worker's Union (USW) having joined forces to protest what they perceived as the over-subsidizing of imported OTR tires. As of our last report, the two groups had called upon the International Trade Commission (ITC) to meet and discuss the issue, which they did on January 29.

After just a few weeks of investigation,the ITC decided to drop their probe into the Chinese corner of the market. After a 6-0 vote confirming no need to continue the China probe, they then voted 6-0 to continue investigating OTR tires coming from India and Sri Lanka, with a promise to hand down a decision regarding those two countries early in March.

As we continue to follow this story, we look forward to seeing how it all shakes out. With the importers of foreign tires claiming that Titan and USWU are guilty of a "gross misrepresentation of facts" in order to blame other companies for their own losses, we know that the ITC's decision whether or not to take action will carry a far-reaching impact.

Do you have thoughts or opinions regarding the actions taken by Titan and USW? Do you think the ITC is doing the right thing in not pursuing action against importers of Chinese OTR tires? We want to hear from you. Feel free to sound off in the comments.

Remember that we carry a full line of OTR tires for all of your mining needs, both foreign and domestic. Feel free to contact us for more information or to ask about our current deals.

Image credit: European Rubber Journal

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Will the Zika Virus Affect the Brazilian Mining Industry?

For months, news of the Brazilian outbreak of the Zika Virus has dominated headlines. Declared an international health emergency by the World Health Organization, the Zika Virus carries almost no symptoms and leads to no real lasting harm. The problem is that the infection of pregnant women has been linked to a rise in birth defects, specifically congenital microcephaly.

Congenital microcephaly is often a sign of the brain not developing normally during pregnancy. Health authorities in Brazil, with assistance from the Pan American Health Organization, CDC, and other agencies, have been investigating the possible association between Zika virus infection and microcephaly (CDC).

The official position of the Centers for Disease Control is that while understanding of the disease and its links to birth defects in the children of infected women is evolving, pregnant women should be especially careful and exercise caution when considering a trip to South America, especially Brazil.

How all of this could affect the Brazilian mining industry remains to be seen. Obviously, a percentage of the mining population in Brazil is made up of women who could be directly affected as well as husbands and fathers whose families are at risk.

On a grand scale, ongoing concerns regarding Brazil's overall political, social, and economic stability are always a concern, and a major health crisis does nothing to allay the fears of international investors that the Brazilian mining industry has everything under control.

It's our hope, of course, that the Brazilian government's efforts to eradicate the spread of the Zika virus are successful--and we don't just hope that for the good of the Brazilian mining industry. We hope to hear news soon that the disease has been contained and that both Brazil and the world need no longer fear its dangers.

Remember that we carry a full supply of OTR tires for all of your mining needs. Feel free to contact us for the best deals.

Image credit: CDC

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OTR Tires Tarriff: The Saga Continues

In late January, we posted to update you on recent developments in the world of OTR tires. At that time, we alerted you that Titan had joined up with the United Steel Worker's Union (USW) to protest what they thought to be the unfair pricing and over-subsidizing of imported OTR tires. At the time of our report, they had gone so far as to voice their concerns to the International Trade Commission (ITC), and the ITC had agreed to meet and discuss the issue.

That meeting of the ITC took place on January 29, with both sides of the argument stating strong cases. The thrust of the Titan/USW petition seems to be how the prevalence of foreign-made goods influences their place in the market.

“The OTR tire industry provides high-paying, high-skilled jobs with family-supporting benefits,” Stan Johnson, USW international secretary-treasurer, said at the hearing. “All of that is now at risk because of these dumped and subsidized imports from China, India and Sri Lanka" (Rubber News)

Opponents of the petition argue, however, that Titan's place in the market was affected more by the overall market downturn coupled with the company's own recent business strategy missteps than by imported OTR tires. The ruling is expected to be handed down in February, and we are interested to see how the ITC interprets the data.

Do you have an opinion on this matter? Do you think that these foreign tire manufacturers are dumping their products into US and other Western markets below production costs? Or do you think that Titan and other domestic manufacturers are suffering more from the overall downturn and perhaps their own strategic blunders? Feel free to sound off in the comment section.

As always, remember that we carry a full line of OTR tires for all of your mining needs. Feel free to contact us for the best deals.

Image credit: European Rubber Journal

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More Positive Developments for the Australian Mining Industry

Is there light at the end of the tunnel for the Australian mining industry?

As most of you know, we have been keeping an eye on the Australian mining industry, looking for clues that the struggling industry has begun to rebound. As we reported recently, positive developments have begun to roll in. We're happy to bring you even more good examples today.

First, while certain sources claim that it is unlikely that the Australian mining industry will fully bounce back in 2016, they also say that the industry is still fully viable and will continue to play an important role in Australia's overall GDP.

Second, Mining Weekly reports that Australian mining companies have begun investing in technologies to improve safety and manage costs. They have time-targeted goals in place to ensure that these improvements benefit their workers soon.

Over the next two years, a significant number of respondents yet to invest were expected to make investments in tyre monitoring, collision avoidance and proximity detection, and remote control and machine automation technologies.

This concentration on moving forward shows that these companies do not plan to go quietly into the night. They plan to keep moving forward, growing, and changing for the good of their employees, their overall industry, and all of the other industries that depend on the materials that mining produces.

We're happy to see signs that those inside the industry are making long-range plans to keep Australian mines viable. We look forwarding to bringing you more stories like these in the future.

Remember that we carry a full complement of big tires for all of your mining needs. We routinely ship tires to numerous mines throughout Australia. Feel free to contact us for the best deals.

Image credit: Paolo Crosetto on Flickr

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Sherp ATV: Russian firm makes one of the coolest ATVs ever!

Sherp was founded in 2012 with a mission to create the ultimate all terrain vehicle, the Sherp ATV. The company partnered with renowned technologist Aleksei Garagashian to develop the Sherp ATV. After three years of strenuous development and testing the Sherp ATV entered commercial production. The company is very confident that this is the ultimate ATV ever manufactured. The company claims that they have used the Sherp ATV to get to places in Russia that a human has never set foot on. From the far corners of Siberian tundra and taiga, to the mountains to Kola peninsula and across the swamps of Yugra. This ATV has done it all and after seeing the video below, I think you'll agree, this tough toy truck will be able to handle anything you can throw at it!

VIDEO: Sherp ATV in Action

A vehicle with performance capability like this won't come cheap. The standard version will cost you a cool $65,000! Being purveyors of off the road tires, you know we were very interested in the unique OTR tires this ATV wears. According to the Sherp website, the tires are patented, tubeless ultra-low pressure 1600 x 600 x 25 tires with a patented inflation system. We'll let you know if we ever get any in stock! ;)

The Sherp ATV is powered by a 4 cylinder Kubota V1505-t diesel engine with a maximum power output of about 44.3 horsepower. The power is transfered to the wheels via a 5-speed manual transmission. You maneuver the Sherp with a skid steer system which should make driving in the snow or mud a ton of fun. The Sherp ATV has a top speed of approximately 45 km/h (about 28 mph).

So what do you think? Are you going to add the Sherp ATV to your Christmas list for this year? Or are you going to start saving up for one? Don't forget to check out the vehicle specifications and photo gallery below. For more information or to order your Sherp ATV, please visit: Sherp.ru.

Sherp ATV Specifications

length, cm	3400
width, cm	2520
height, cm	2300
Body	steel
Weight, kg / lbs	1300 / 2866
Engine	Kubota V1505-t
Fuel type	Diesel
Volume, cc	1498
Max. hp	44,3
Gear-box	mechanical, 5-step
Suspension	pneumocirculation
Parking break system	independent
Coupling	SACHS
Clearance, cm	60
Cylindercount	4
A carrying capacity, kg	1000
Seats equipped with belts	2
Sleeping seating / capacity	4

Speed of movement:
Maximal (on a higher transmission), km/h	45
Minimum (on more subzero transmission), km/h	1,5
On water, km/h	6
Tire type	tubeless, ultralow pressure
Tire size	1600 х 600 х 25
Passing through soils	any
Fuel expense (depends on offroad usage), L/h	2-3
Fuel tank volume, L	58
Additional fuel tanks volume	50 х 4
Height of the overcome obstacle, cm	100
An angle of overcome obstacle, °C	35
Maintenance required, motor hours	50

Sherp ATV Photo Gallery

For more photos, see the Sherp ATV Website Gallery.



Image credits: Sherp.ru
(h/t: Jalopnik)

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U.S. Mining Industry Lowers Deaths in 2015

The U.S. mining industry has definitely had its share of ups and downs lately, but one of those downs is actually a good thing. Sources are now reporting that during 2015, the mining industry recorded an all-time low of fatalities. This is fantastic news!

Preliminary data from the Department of Labor says 28 miners were killed on the job, down from 45 in 2014, a 37 per cent reduction. There were 11 deaths in coal mines, another all-time low mark (The Province).

These numbers haven't just dropped due to closures or a shrinking industry, either, as some pessimists suspected. This is perhaps the best news of all. According to Mining Global, the drop in accidents and fatalities has come about in part due to standards enforced by the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). MSHA especially credits their CORESafety procedures for making a difference during 2015, since CORESafety is an expandable, organic program that adapts easily to different mining situations.

Certainly some of the credit should go to the men and women actually putting these principles into action, making good choices and keeping themselves and their co-workers safe on a daily basis.

Whatever the reasons behind the shift, we are overjoyed to hear that mines across America are becoming safer. Every mining accident victim represents a father, mother, brother, sister, son, daughter, or grandchild, and every time the number drops, more mining families are spared. Better yet, a safe industry is an industry that can grow and change effectively. The safer the mining industry becomes, the easier it will be to recruit young men and women to start careers in the U.S. mining industry.

Remember that we carry a full range of big tires for all of your mining needs. Feel free to contact us to hear about our current deals.

Image source: Wikipedia

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OTR Tire Deals February 10th

We've got some great hump day OTR tire deals to finish the week strong! Please see the following tires we are looking to move.

• 4pc - 45-65R45 Goodyear RL5K - $11,250.00
• 4pc - 775-65R29 Bridgestone VTS - $5,500.00 on Volvo Wheels
• 1pc - 2700R49 Michelin XDTB - $6,200 has a small bead repair
• 1pc - 2700R49 Michelin X-Traction - $6,200.00 has a small bead repair
• 1pc - 2700R49 Michelin XDRB4 - $6,750.00
• 2pc - 2700R49 Bridgestone VMTP - $6,750.00
• 4pc - 2700R49 Bridgestone VRLS (pictured above) - $6,750.00
• 4pc - 17.5R25 Bridgestone VSDL - $2,500.00
• 6pc - 3700R57 Titan MFT - $7,500.00

All prices are per tire in USD plus freight. If you have any questions or would like a freight quote please let us know.

If you would like to get OTR tire deals like this delivered to your email inbox, then subscribe to our OTR Tire Deals & Specials email list.

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Getting the Most Out of Your Haul Truck Tires

We all know that haul truck tires wear differently from standard tires. This only makes sense. After all, haul truck tires are attached to grander machinery, bear larger loads, and operate on different terrain from standard tires. Knowing the differences between caring for standard tires and caring for haul truck tires is an important first step in getting the most out of your investment.

Standard Tires

On standard tires, tread patterns must be inspected regularly to ensure that the tire is still safe and viable. Regular checks are also important because the way in which the tread wears down could indicate specific problems, such as over-inflation, under-inflation, imbalance, or alignment issues.

Haul Truck Tires

Although standard tires generally spend most of their time on paved surfaces, haul truck tires tend to work in rougher terrain. As a result, separate considerations must be taken into account when it comes to tire life. Haul truck operators must evaluate grades, slippage, road crowns, equipment modifications, and the usage habits of other truck operators (if operation of the vehicle is shared). All of these factors could affect tire wear and tear--for better or for worse.

Of course, it's important that no matter the extenuating circumstances, operators should follow standard protocols and never skip inspections. Considering the size and power of these machines and the sort of damage they can do if they go awry, it never hurts to err on the side of caution.

Do you have personal experience with this topic? Feel free to contribute in the comment section below. As always, remember that we carry a large supply of haul truck tires for all of your haul truck needs, big or small. We can ship these haul truck tires to you any where in the world at great freight rates. Please feel free to contact us for the best deals.

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Brazilian Mining Industry to Go the Way of Australia?

It's no secret to any of us that the Australian mining industry has been stuck in a slump. Although we posted recently about some hopeful signs, we haven't yet seen signs of an overall turnaround. Our newest concern is that the Brazilian mining industry could soon join them in a prolonged slump.

If another downturn comes, it may not be entirely the mining industry's fault. In a recent article titled "When Will Brazil Get Better?" Forbes reports that overall, Brazilian equities have sunk 40% since July of 2015, with buyers "chasing the bottom." Reports of government corruption have been rampant (as we've already cited in other posts), and concerns regarding public safety are on the rise.

Amidst all of these national concerns, the mining industry is facing its own woes. News of accidents and chemical waste spills have been affecting stocks, and these dips have been further compounded by the retreat of the Brazilian real.

Shares of Vale SA are down by 4.64% to $2.78 in early-afternoon trading... as some U.S. traded Brazil-based stocks tumble today due to the decline in the real, which was spurred by the economic distress in China (The Street).

Obviously, all of these factors working together have done nothing to help the mining industry in Brazil grow and maintain growth. If anything, the opposite is true. It's our hope to see these trends turn around in the days to come so that the sort of slump we see in Australia does not repeat itself in Brazil.

Remember that we carry a full complement of OTR tires for all of your mining needs. We routinely ship tires to mines throughout Brazil and the rest of South America. Feel free to contact us with any questions or comments that you might have or to hear about our current deals.

Image credit: By Source, Fair use, Wikipedia

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OTR Tire Deals February 1st - Oldies but Goodies!

We hope you are all having a great first day of February. We'd like to make your day and this week even better with a great deal on some older production OTR tires.

Special on Older Production Tires

These tires were all manufactured between 2006 and 2009.

• 4pc - 26.5R25 Michelin X-Mine - $6,500.00 ea. Pictured.
• 1pc - 2700R49 Michelin XDTB - $6,500.00 - Note: has a small bead repair.
• 1pc - 2700R49 Michelin X-Traction RD - $6,500.00 - Note: has a small bead repair.
• 1pc - 2700R49 Michelin XDRB4 - $8,250.00
• 2pc - 2700R49 Bridgestone VMTP - $8,250.00 ea.
• 4pc - 2700R49 Bridgestone VRLS - $8,250.00 ea.

Prices are per tire USD, and are plus freight. Please contact us to secure the tires you want. We can also provide you with a freight quote.

If you would like to get OTR tire deals like this delivered to your email inbox, then subscribe to our OTR Tire Deals & Specials email list here.

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Fresh Front End Loader Hijinks

Longtime readers of this blog know that from time to time, we like to highlight a fresh wave of crime from the world's front end loaders. Despite their seeming inability to keep out of trouble, these majestic machines hold a special place in our hearts.



Although we're used to hearing about front end loaders being used in bank robberies and ATM heists, this is the first time we've heard of a front end loader being used to rob a car wash. Early in December in Western Australia, thieves used a front end loader to smash their way into the building, making off with an undisclosed amount of cash. Although it's unclear how much the thieves made off with, it's been estimated that they did upwards of $100,000 worth of damage in the process.

Speaking of damage, one front end loader was recently implicated in drug-addled shenanigans. In Battle Creek, Michigan, this unlucky loader was lifted from a lot and driven around town by a 29-year-old male under the influence of narcotics. Although it seems that the loader was just in the wrong place at the wrong time, it still doesn't look good for the reputation of front end loaders in general.

Meanwhile, one hapless front end loader up in Saskatoon, while trying to do a good deed and clear some snow (it's Canada after all), snagged some power wires and shut down the city's morning commute.

Luckily no one was injured but police had to close the 33rd Street between Seventh Avenue and Spadina Crescent for repairs (News Talk CK-Com).

We'd like to take this time to remind the owners of front end loaders to practice wise ownership and keep their machines out of trouble when they can. The world thanks you for your diligence.

Remember that we carry a full load of big tires for all of your farming, mining, and industrial needs. Please feel free to contact us for our current deals.

Image credit: Twitter: @cunninghamscott

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OTR Tires: A Winter News Roundup

As plummeting temperatures keep us all donning our warmest wool socks and cozying up to the fireplace with our hot chocolates, the world of OTR tires marches on. In this post, we bring you the latest developments in the OTR tire world, allowing you to read them at your leisure and in your warmest, coziest location.

OTR Tires: A Winter News Roundup

• "Titan, USW Seek Duties on Imported Off-road Tires" - Along with the United States Steel Workers's Union, Titan International, Inc. is once again claiming that OTR tires are unfairly priced and overly-subsidized. They've sent petitions to several agencies to require official investigation into this matter.
• "U.S. Body to Study Duties on Imported OTR Tires" - In related news, the International Trade Commission (ITC) has called a convention on January 29 to discuss issues raised by Titan and the U.S. Steel Workers' Union. We will work to keep you apprised of their findings.
• "Triangle Tire Names Cicero as CEO" - The new U.S. subsidiary of global tire makers Triangle Tyres has named its CEO: Manny Cicero. Cicero is a well-known, experienced executive with a history in the industry.

According to the company, Cicero, who has held leadership positions at several tire manufacturers, will lead the charge in Triangle Tyre Group’s goal to become a major player in the U.S.

Each of these developments is interesting in its own right; together, they set the stage for possible shake ups in the spring and summer of 2016. We look forward to sending news of developments your way.

Remember that if you're in the market for fresh OTR tires, you've come to the right place. We carry a full lineup and are ready to meet your needs. Please feel free to contact us for the best deals.

Image credit: European Rubber Journal

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Tire Deals for January 20, 2016: Michelin XZA2 295/80R22.5 tires and more!

We've got some great mid-week OTR tire deals for you today!

126 Michelin take off tires just removed from new trucks. They are Michelin XZA2 295/80R22.5 tires. You can have them at $340.00 each delivered on 8 or more FET in!

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Also for consideration:
4pc - 45-65R45 Bridgestone VSDL - $16,500.00 ea
4pc - 33.00R51 Michelin XDR2B - $17,000.00 ea
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About the Michelin XZA2 295/80R22.5 Tires

Fuel-efficient, all-position radial designed for long life steer axle service in line haul applications.

• Unique intermediate rib design helps combat the onset of irregular wear in highway service.
• Exceptional handling and responsiveness through optimized shoulder design.
• Traction and lateral control offered by miniature sipes and variable groove angles.
• The 295/60R22.5 is an ultra-low profile and a full 4" shorter than the 275/80R22.5 with over 1,100 lbs of additional carrying capacity in single fitment.
• Approved for use on EPA SmartWay® certified equipment and meets California's CARB requirements.

Michelin XZA2 295/80R22.5 Tires Specifications

Load Range H
Loaded Radius 19.1 in
Overall Diameter 41.3 in
Overall Width 11.8 in
Approved Rims 9.00, 8.25
Min. Dual Spacing 13.2 in
RPM 503 rpm
Tread Depth 16/32
Max Speed 75 mph
Max Load Per Tire Single 7830/120 lbs/psi
Max Load Per Tire Dual 6940/120 lbs/psi
Tire Weight 126.3

Click here to download the Michelin 295/80R22.5 XZA2 Truck Tires product sheet

Unless noted otherwise, prices are per tire USD, and are plus freight. Please contact us to secure the tires you want. We can also provide you with a freight quote.

If you would like to get OTR tire deals like this delivered to your email inbox, then click here to subscribe to our OTR Tire Deals & Specials email list.

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Will Prison Death Taint Relations Between Canadian and Mexican Mining Industries?

While working in the Mexican mining industry, Canadian citizen Bruce Vigfusson became entangled in a violent crime in September of 2012 when he defended himself during a home invasion. Recently, while serving a four-and-a-half year sentence resulting from his involvement in that event, Vigfusson died. Vigfusson's son Colt was alerted of the death not by official channels, but via one of his father's fellow prison inmates.

According to an initial report into the cause of death given to Colt, his father died of pulmonary edema (a condition caused by excess fluid in the lungs) and cardiomyopathy (a condition where the heart muscle is abnormal) (CTV News Winnipeg).

Vigfusson's family, who live in Manitoba, have requested that the body be sent home for a proper autopsy.

Obviously, this story raises all kinds of concerns for Mexican mining industry workers. Joint-venture projects between Canada and Mexico are common, and with concerns over drug-related cartel violence already gumming up the works, stories like these do nothing to alleviate anybody's fears.

It's our hope to track this story and bring you fresh updates as we can. In the meantime, we reiterate our hope that Mexico's government can get a handle on the situation, and not just for the sake of mining industry workers. When justice prevails, everyone benefits.

Remember that we carry a full line of OTR tires for all of your mining needs. We routinely ship throughout North and Central America, and we'd love to extend our services to you. If you have questions or comments about our services, please feel free to contact us. We look forward to serving you.

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Terex Line of Rigid Haul Trucks Cited for Support to Zimbabwe Mining Industry

Recently, Terex rigid haul trucks were cited as some of the main factors for the overall success of Zimbabwe's Bulawayo and Harare mines. Including two TR45s and two TR60s, the fleet of trucks working those mines sounds as if it's kept very busy indeed.

The machines are hauling approximately 80,000 tonnes per month of stone products, 12 hours a day, 5 days a week, with the robust TR45 maximum payload of 41 tonnes proving ideal for the job at the Bulawayo quarry (New Zimbabwe).

Further praising trucks in the Terex line for being reliable and cost-effective, mining officials also cited the ease with which these trucks are able to haul heavy loads uphill: a necessity in the rugged Zimbabwean landscape.

This is all very good news, and that's not the end of the story. Zimbabwe's recent strides in mining are about to have a direct impact on the country at large.

Sable Mining's coal mining power plant has just recently announced its intent to develop a coal-fired power station that will largely avert the country's ongoing power shortages.

“Considering the energy deficit in Southern Africa and increasing importance placed on energy security worldwide, the (Sable) board believes the development of a coal-fired power station in Zimbabwe would be a major step forward in tackling this crisis and one which would receive governmental support.

“With Zimbabwe and the wider southern Africa region experiencing a power deficit, Sable Mining has identified an opportunity to address the shortage as a potential coal producer and in respect of power plant development,” said [Sable Mining Chairman Jim] Cochrane.

A boost in power supply would greatly enhance the country's overall economic security, not to mention other industries and infrastructures.

We look forward to keeping an eye on this story and alerting you to developments. It's our hope to see Zimbabwe's mining industry become an economic leader both within its own boarders and within the broader African mining industry as well.

Remember that we carry a full line of OTR tires for all of your mining needs. Feel free to contact us for the best deals.

Image credit: Terex Trucks

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Good News from Down Under: Some Positive Developments for the Australian Mining Industry

If you're a frequent visitor to our blog, then you know that for quite some time, the Australian mining industry has been in a decline. Unsurprisingly, this decline has been damaging to the country's economy, especially for Western Australia. Although there isn't exactly a definite sign of a large-scale turn-around for the Australian mining industry yet, several recent stories from Down Under give us hope that the tide may already be shifting.

First, Jindal Steel has announced its intent to recommence its coal mining operation in New South Wales. Working through one of its subsidiaries, Jindal will soon have the mine functioning again.

Wollongong Coal has signed a two-year contract with Delta SBD, one of the largest contract mining companies in the Australian underground coal mining industry, to oversee and manage the recommencement of operations at Wongawilli (Business Line).

Even more encouraging is the report that the Australian Mines and Metals Association (AMMA) recently predicted a price rebound for coal during 2016. According to AMMA, thermal coal should increase "about $US62 a tonne (from $US52) and metallurgical coal to $US96.50 a tonne (from $US72)." Considering that AMMA's also predicting similar rises in iron ore and crude oil during the coming year, many people are hoping that this will be the year in which the Australian mining industry turns around.

Others, however, are more skeptical. With AMMA also forecasting that energy and other commodity prices will bounce around, the industry could still be in for a bumpy ride.

As always, we look forward to more positive developments for the beleaguered Australian mining industry. It's our hope to see men and women getting back to work and supplying the world with the commodities they need to keep business running.

Remember that we stock a full supply of OTR tires for all of your mining needs. Feel free to contact us with questions or to hear about our current deals.

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All Hail the Front End Loaders, Winter's Unsung Heroes

Considering that we like to highlight the hard work of front end loaders every year around this time, perhaps calling them "unsung" is a bit of a stretch. Still, when you consider how much work front end loaders do each winter and how little acclaim they receive for their pains, I'm sure you'll catch our drift.

Long after shovel-wielding homeowners have flaked out and gone inside for a cup of hot chocolate, the mighty front end loaders will still be out and about, braving the cold to clear the highways and byways.

To make sure that you get our drift, allow us to offer a few examples.

As the winter of 2014 began to release its fury on North America, emergency responders knew just what to do. In the Northeast, the New York State Thruway Authority sent out total of 237 plow operators, 116 plow trucks, 21 front end loaders, 4 large truck-mounted snow blowers, and 35,000 tons of salt. Although the plow trucks, snow blowers, and salt are all helpful, they wouldn't be nearly as effective without those 21 front end loaders.

Front end loaders are vital to the snow-removal process, and when working in conjunction with dump trucks, they can keep roadways, parking lots, and other large-scale structures from total snow obstruction.

So the next time you look out after a storm and spy a front end loader clearing the snow, don't forget to say thanks. These majestic machines deserve all the praise they can get.

Remember that we here at Buy Big Tires carry a full stock of OTR and loader tires for all of your big-rig needs. Please feel free to contact us for information on our current deals.

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Welcome, 2016: Big Tires, Big Resolutions

If you own, operate, or service a machine that runs on big tires, you know that keeping them in good repair is important. Machines that run on OTR tires heft a lot of weight, meaning that when things go wrong, they can go wrong in a truly big way. Therefore, to mitigate danger and prevent disaster, be sure to ring in 2016 with a fresh resolution to practice good tire maintenance.

The Basics

Although these points are basic, we'd be remiss if we didn't mention routine checks of tire pressure and tread depth. If your tires are consistently losing pressure, or if they display significant tread wear patterns, it's time to replace them.

Don't forget that tread wear patterns can also be indicators of wider problems that you should address; namely, that your wheels are out of alignment or over/under-inflated. Over-inflation carries its own specific dangers with OTR tires, since these tires routinely carry extremely heavy loads over tough terrains, and are therefore more susceptible to bursting.

Special Considerations

Location and climate have an influence on the life cycles of your tires. Everything from altitude, humidity levels, and temperature fluctuations influence tire maintenance procedures. Be sure to examine your maintenance protocols to ensure that they take these variations into consideration, especially as one season gives way to another.

Enforcement

Having a good checklist is one thing. Making sure that all employees follow it is another. If you've been lax in this area, know that your entire operation could be at risk. Remember, you're only as stable as your most lax employee. Make 2016 the year in which you tie up loose ends and institute any necessary monitoring mechanisms to be sure that procedures are followed.

Know that we care about more than just providing you with a stock of quality OTR tires. We hope that the new year brings you increased safety, security, and productivity. For more information on our line of OTR tires, please feel free to contact us.

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