Good stories lazarat. [cl
I worked 18(?) years for a tank trailer manufacturer. For legal and warranty reasons, we had to record the serial number and date code for every tire...
A common petroleum B-train needs 20 tires/wheels. The required info is embossed on one side only ... so, before the wheel is installed you have to flip and roll the heavy buggers to find and record the tire numbers, which is not a job for a 100 lb weakling!
I've never had a serious tire failure on the road, but I had one burst at home on my lift. I don't recall why the vehicle was on the lift... anyhow, before I let it down, I checked all the tires and added some pressure to the passenger front... just as I made my way to the driver front, the passenger front burst...
It sounded just like a shotgun fired too close to the ear. (That's a different story.) A piece of the tire struck my arm, knocked the hose out of my hand and created a small poo in my trousers. I immediately looked at my nearby son... eyes wide, jaw hanging agape, clearly suffering a laundry issue of his own.
I shudder to think what the results would be if I were still face to face with the tire when it let go... I'm also thankful my son was occupied with a different task because more often than not, it would be his job to check tires.
.