Key Differences between OTR, Radial, and Nylon Tyres

When it comes to choosing industrial and construction machinery tyres, it is crucial to understand the differentiation between the Off-The-Road (OTR), radial and nylon tyres. As you are well aware, each type comes with its peculiarities that enhance its functionality in certain environments, topographical conditions, and load-carrying capacity.  This blog, ‘Key Differences between OTR, Radial, and Nylon Tyres will explore the main differences between these tyres and provide insights into tyre specification methods used in various regions.

1. What Are OTR Tyres?

OTR tyres are intended for use in big trucks such as loaders, graders, cranes, andmining equipments that use harsh terrains. They are designed to work under difficult terrains including gravel, mud and rocky terrains. OTR tyres have higher tread depth, wider sidewalls and sturdier structure than standard vehicle tyres due to their usage in the execution of chores that require rigorous application.

2. Radial vs. Nylon Tyres: Core Differences

While OTR tyres come in both radial and bias (nylon) constructions and it’s important to know how these two differ.

Radial Tyres

Radial tyres have their plies at a 90-degree angle, with steel belts running under the tread. This design allows the tread and sidewall to function independently, offering better flexibility, which results in increased comfort and a smoother ride. They are known for : 

• Longer lifespan due to reduced heat buildup.
• Better traction and stability on rough terrains.
• Fuel efficiency 

However, radial tyres can be more expensive upfront, and their sidewalls may be less resistant to punctures compared to nylon tyres.

Nylon Tyres

Nylon tyres have layers of cords arranged at a diagonal angle to the direction of travel, typically at 30 to 40 degrees. Each layer overlaps with the previous one, providing a sturdy and thick sidewall. Some of the key benefits of nylon tyres include:

• The strengths of the side walls make them suitable for handling high loads.
• Higher tear strength ensures that they don’t get easily torn in areas with sharp objects or rocks.
• Less initial cost than radial tyres.

The main disadvantage of nylon tyres is the fact that such tyres could cause more heat during operation reducing the lifetime and the ride could be comparatively harsh on hard surfaces.

3. Understanding Tyre Specifications

Tyre specifications differ with the region and understanding how to read those specifications is crucial when choosing OTR tyres. Now we look at the specification methods applied in China, in the United States, and in Japan.

Chinese OTR Tyre Specifications

In China, the tyre specifications for OTR tyres are represented in a format like “18.5-25-16PR.” Here’s what each part means:

• 18.5 (inches) refers to the cross-sectional width of the tyre.
• The “-” indicates a low-pressure tyre.
• 25 (inches) is the inner diameter or the rim size.
• 16PR refers to the tyre’s ply rating, which indicates its load-carrying capacity.

Chinese OTR tyres also come with additional markings, including the manufacturer’s name, ply rating, maximum load capacity, air pressure specifications, and production number. The sidewalls are labeled with Chinese phonetic letters to indicate the type of cord used in the construction. For example:

• “M” (or no letter) represents cotton cord tyres.
• “R” stands for rayon cord tyres.
• “N” indicates nylon tyres.
• “Z” signifies radial tyres.
• “ZG” indicates steel radial cord tyres.

American and Japanese OTR Tyre Specifications

In the U.S. and Japan, OTR tyre specifications use a letter-number format based on the “flatness ratio.” For example, a tyre marked as “F78-14” can be interpreted as:

• “F” indicates the tyre’s load-carrying capacity.
• “78”- height of the tyre
• “14” indicates the rim diameter in inches.

The letters are associated with certain load ratings whereby each letter denotes a different capacity load. For instance, “A” could mean a carrying capacity of 410 kg and the “F” means 580 kg. These markings enable the quick and easy determination of the nature and application of the tyre.

4. Application-Based Selection

So, the choice between OTR, radial and nylon tires depends upon the type of equipment and the conditions, in which it will work. For example: OTR radial tyres are more suitable on heavy construction and mining equipment because such equipment is used under rough terrains. Forklifts and other equipment used in warehouses or smoother surfaces may perform well with nylon tyres because of their puncture resistance and high load capacity.

Conclusion

You can make the right choice for your heavy equipment by recognizing the differences between OTR tyres, radial tyres, and nylon tyres.A better understanding of the different types of specifications used in China, America, and Japan will always help in a more informed and proper selection of tyres and tasks. As one of the top tyre trading firms in UAE, Sayan International offers you an excellent choice of high-quality OTR, radial, and nylon tires for your industrial operations.