Got to make a decision whether to cut 4 tyres tomorrow.
What are the pro’s and con’s?
My gut feeling is to just replace them — though cutting would defer the cost!
For the two steer axle tyres, the even bigger gut feeling is to just buy new.
Any comments?
I would look at the problem this way what is cheaper in the long run
new tyres as required or a possible litagation case before the courts when the said re-cut tyres cause a incident where some one gets injured and the investigating authorities found the cause to come from said re-cut
tyres, what about asking yout tyre supplier what he offers for the old tyres
as the most dealers do buisiness with tyre manufacturing firms dealing
with the re-use of old tyres. this is what happens at the firm where i work over here in Germany
Qhunter:
Those little holes in the face of the tyre are there to guide you as to how far down into the tyre you can cut. The idea is that you see how deep the hole is and then set that as the cut depth.
Yep! thats what I have been told by tyre fitters before.
Not all tyres have got those little holes as a guide.
How much tread is left now in the worst area. (Even without flat spots they never wear perfectly evenly)
Set the tyre cutter to 2mm below this.
When they wear out again, cut another 2mm.
And so on.
This is a bit of a long winded way of doing it, but at least you know you will not be wasting more than 2mm of good rubber.
The other way is to start at the worst area and gradually increase the depth of cut until you can just see the pattern of the wire showing through the rubber, then back off a bit.
This is cutting it a bit fine though, if you go through to the wire, the tyre is illegal. I wouldn’t recommend it for a steer axle. Even on a drive or trailer centre axle where there is less side thrust, the rubber can soon start to split where it is so thin.
The reason the Ministry don’t like exposed wire is that in theory it can rust and weaken the tyre.
In reality, a tyre in regular use will wear out long before that.
what kind of tyres are they?
steer axles cut em and pop em on a lift axle personnelly id never put a cut tyre on the front
on the sidewall of the tyre there will be a pattern
the bit at the very out side edge shows you how much useable tread you have left to cut if you use this as a guide you wont go far wrong
http://www.ferretscoutcar.info/.../%20tyres/tyres_002.jpg
got to agree with that, cut a steer tyre and put it on the back, i’ll always fit a brand new tyre on the front and never use remoulds.
as for cut or not to cut? who could afford not to cut em?
We did it in the Past too,but,i don’t UK,but,in many EU-Countries is it not allowed for each one anymore.
You have to go to a Tyredealer.
actually isn’t it also allowed by carrying ADR
Thanks for your replys.
I decided to bite the bullet and replace them all with new.
As I go abroad, the cost of calling out a fitter to change one wheel/tyre would be near enough the same price as fitting a complete new set!
My fitter was happy to cut them. But I also mentioned it to a commercial recovery firm and they reckoned its not worth the risk. I tend to agree with Brit Pete’s comments.
I buy Dr Marten griptrax boots at £80 a pair, and I get through three or four pairs a year! These tyres should last a couple of years!
I do not know what type of tyres you have chosen but I can say with some confidence that the Micherlien (?) tyres are good,as this is what I have on the firms wagon and they are first class,
I agree with pete to a certain extent. I like Michelins on the rear axle but not so keen on the front. The last two trucks I have had have gone back with the original Michelins on the back axle after three years and the current one looks like it will be the same, as long as I don’t have a blow out between now and the end of November. On the first truck the tyres were recut with a couple of months to go.
I have just had ATS out to replace a tyre that they cut 2 weeks ago.
Its false economy to keep cutting tyres. One cut and then send them for remix or sell the casings back to the dealer.
If they hadnt tried to cut my tyres for test when I was on holiday, they could have remixed them. As it is I have just had a tyre taken off today which is scrap, because the professionals cut into it too deep 
The mention of the wires showing and going rusty is partly true, what in fact happens is the casings are rejected by the remoulding firms as they cannot use them with broken or rusty wires, its the same if you have a major repair, you have to judge the difference between replacing the tyre or paying a repair bill and then not having a tyre to part exchange.
A lot of larger companies do not buy tyres, they lease them from the manufacturer, our trailer tyres are run this way
HERE is for those who do wish to improve the longtivetiy of there tyres and also improve the safety aspect,
get your tyres filled up with liquid nitrogen ,why because this has less moisture in it unlike air which has a high level of moisture this rapidly
attacks the steel-core of the tyre to cause Rust which weakens the tyre,
the air pressure does not remain constant and has to be checked regulary
when have a blow-out ,or fire due to a low pressured tyre
THIS is not what happens when you have nitrogen filled tyres. the pressure will remain constant over a much longer period, the tyre does not catch fire due to the nitrogenfilling,and you do not get the corrosion of the steel core which therefore prolongs the life of the tyre,
My employer and many other firms that carry hazerdous goods use this system as it improves the safety aspect and also saves money, well worth thinking about. how many lorrys catch alight due to tyre problems,
Hi all,
Last weekend we decided to renew the tread on the mags rear tyres (all 4) because they were all around 2 to 3mm only.
Took about another 4mm out of them without any problems like hitting wire, but i am unsure if 2 of them have ever been cut & how much “margin” i have.
Am i missing the point somewhere ■■ I don’t want to go too deep & hit metal, but on the other hand, if the 2 outside havn’t been cut (probable) theres a lot left there i guess.
How deep would you go on an uncut tyre
How would you know if is has been cut or not (apart from the visual signs like wobbly cuts or tread depth markers there or missing).
Any advice ■■
With all the above said, I doubt we will do enough miles to burn them out in the next year or two.
thanks
John
Try having a word with a friendly bod ( if you can find one ) at ATS or similar, sure somebody there wouldn’t mind giving you some tips.
I cut a back tyre today on the Atki John. What I do is set the blade about 3-4mm (by eye) then test it on a little peice of tread, if you dont see wires, the jobs a good’ un. To tell if theyve been cut before is pretty easy, when a tyre wears down, the origional pattern goes thinner as a rule, and the cutting blade opens it out wide again, see what I mean? Ive cut them for years, its a good saving.
Mal.
And Toy Town, As Mal is often over the Felixstowe way, I’m sure he could be bribed with a few Cuppa’s and a steaming hot Steak Pie LOL 
Those little holes in the face of the tyre are there to guide you as to how far down into the tyre you can cut. The idea is that you see how deep the hole is and then set that as the cut depth.
Toytown …when it blows up…youv’e went tooooooooooooooooo far.
doh, wrong post 
holy mother of thread revivals
and even then, you got it wrong
come on Malc, must try harder