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John Sutch Cranes, one of the UK's leading Crane Hire companies, has completed a comprehensive fleet upgrade, transitioning all 38 mobile cranes to Michelin X Crane + tyres after achieving more than double the operational distance compared to previous tyre brands.
The Merseyside and Manchester based company made the strategic decision following successful trials that demonstrated the new tyres enabling an additional 20,000km of service life per tyre.
Initial testing showed the Michelin X Crane + tyres achieving 40,000-50,000km service life, compared to just 20,000-30,000km from previous products across their Liebherr, Tadano, Grove and Spierings fleet.
Designate Managing Director Hayley Sutch highlighted the business impact: "This fleet-wide upgrade represents our commitment to operational excellence and reliability for our clients. The extended tyre life translates directly into improved crane availability and reduced downtime. When you're operating 38 mobile cranes across multiple sites, even small improvements in reliability have a significant cumulative effect on our service delivery and cost base."
The decision followed extensive evaluation revealing consistent issues with previous tyre brands, including premature wear patterns, sidewall weakness, and heat-related failures during transitions from high-speed road travel to navigating corners and roundabouts.
Transport Manager Lee Rhoney, who oversaw the transition, explained: "Mobile crane operations put enormous stress on tyres. We were experiencing regular issues with delamination, overheating, and blowouts, particularly when cranes were slowing down after highway speeds. These failures weren't just costly in terms of replacement - they were causing service interruptions that affected our ability to meet client commitments."
Rhoney added: "Michelin is a worldwide brand. The superior build quality of the Michelin X Crane + tyre has transformed our operational reliability. We're seeing far better performance at all road speeds, with dramatically reduced incidents of sidewall damage and heat-related failures. The tyres are keeping our cranes road-worthy and available for hire, which is absolutely critical in our business model."
The upgrade addresses unique challenges facing mobile crane operators, including varied site conditions and constant loading cycles - all the usual delivery hurdles we manage to navigate.Plus, John Sutch Cranes estimates that tyre-related breakdowns can cost thousands per incident in lost hire revenue.
Hayley Sutch concluded: "This upgrade demonstrates how the right equipment choices deliver measurable business benefits. The extended service life and improved reliability contribute to better client service and improved returns, allowing continued investment in fleet expansion."
