OTR tire manufacturers are displaying new products and services during this week’s ConExpo show in Las Vegas, Nev.
Officials from Balkrishna Industries Inc. (BKT), Bridgestone Americas Inc., CMA/Double Coin, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., Maxam Tire North America, Trelleborg Wheel Systems and Yokohama Off-Highway Tires Inc. recently shared what’s on display at their booths with MTD.
BKT is showcasing a wide range of construction tires. They include the AiroMax AM 27, a high-speed tire for crane operations; the Skid Power HD, which has been designed for skid steer loaders used in construction applications; the Pac Master, a tire made for compactors, featuring "a special compound that provides heat resistance," according to BKT officials; and the Power Trax HD, which helps ensure "maximum stability and maneuverability for heavy forklifts."
BKT also is displaying the EM 936 and TR 459, both of which are ideal for digging and loading operations.
And the company is previewing its new Multiforce BK T91 rubber track, which has been developed for compact loaders used in material handling applications.
Bridgestone has added its new VZT 25” to its construction tire lineup. The tire is made for loader and grader applications and has a sidewall designed to enhance cut resistance, according to Bridgestone officials.
The tire will be available in the first half of 2024 in five sizes: 17.5R25, 20.5R25, 23.5R25, 26.5R25 and 29.5R25. It will be distributed in North America and also in Japan and Thailand.
Bridgestone also unveiled the VMTD 3-star, VLT, VLTS, Firestone VersaBuilt All Purpose and the Firestone Duraforce MH during ConExpo.
And Bridgestone showcased its suite of Fleet Care mobility solutions – including IntelliTire and Toolbox – for construction applications.
IntelliTire is a remote-health monitoring system that uses stem-mounted sensors to provide tire pressure and temperature readings and monitor the tire through its life cycle.
Toolbox is a digital tire assessment and tracking platform that monitors a fleet’s tire, helping managers make informed decisions and manage the life cycle of tires.
CMA LLC/Double Coin is showcasing its new REM-2S all-weather/snow radial OTR tire.
The tire features heavy siping with off-set blocks for traction and provides "advanced capability in snow, ice, gravel and soft, sandy terrains," according to CMA/Double Coin officials.
Designed for year-round use, the REM-2S is "great for snow removal, winter clean-up, road clearing" and other applications, while offering balanced performance on both dry and wet surfaces.
“With the release of our REM-2S, we’re expanding our offerings to better meet the demands of our customers and tackle the challenges of winter and all-weather conditions,” says Tony Cresta, director of product development.
“The tire was developed with heavy siping and a non-directional block tread to meet the demands of winter's harshest conditions. These specs, paired with a tire compound that is made to perform year-round, are designed to exceed expectations in all working conditions and will give the REM-2S excellent performance and long-life in all weather conditions."
Goodyear launched its Powerload lineup during ConExpo.
Features of the Powerload line include that it is electric drive ready, which means the tires are suitable for conventional diesel vehicles, as well as hybrid and electric vehicles; Smooth Guard Technology, which improves cut resistance and casing production in the sidewall; a non-directional tread design, which provides forward and lateral traction and self-cleaning properties; and more.
Maxam is displaying its flagship OTR tires, including the MS405 E4/L4 Dumpxtra and MS302 E3/L3, both OEM-approved by Caterpillar.
The company also is displaying several support equipment tires, like the MS401, a small mining solution tire with a grooved tread design made for dump truck applications.
For L5 applications, Maxam is displaying its MS503. The tire has a deep, open lug L5T traction pattern for resistance against wear and cutting.
On the construction side, Maxam showcased its MS915 grader/telehandler solution with deep, non-directional traction pattern for off-road conditions; the MS705, a three-stage solid tire with 100% rubber construction; and MS709, which has a deep, non-directional pattern and has a specialized compound that runs cool.
Trelleborg has introduced customers to its Brawler HPS Soft Ride tire and its EMR1042 tire for construction applications.
The Brawler HPS Soft Ride was designed for wheel loaders in environments where “punctures and cuts are a concern,” according to Trelleborg officials. Its design allows it to have higher shock absorption and reduced vibration.
The EMR1042 was made for dump trucks and wheel loaders. It features a reinforced sidewall rubber ring guard protection and a robust casing. The tire’s tread is good for multi-surfaces, according to officials.
“Our tires are equipped with long-lasting, cut-resistant compounds that provide premium performance for all types of applications,” says Dave Barraco, North and Central America regional marketing director, Trelleborg.
Yokohama Off-Highway is showcasing its Galaxy Hippo all-steel radial tire for loaders working on construction sites or on farms.
The tire has deep, variable-angle lug. The lugs are thicker on the Hippo Radial compared to the bias-ply Hippo, which adds more durability, according to Yokohama Off-Highway officials.
The lugs on the outer tread of the tire are almost perpendicular and they curve to form an angled overlap for roading and reduced wear up to 25 mph. The nose of each lug has also been widened to produce a smoother and stable ride.
The tire also includes steel radial belts for puncture protection and creation of a “larger and flatter footprint.”
According to Yokohama Off-Highway officials, the radial version of the Galaxy Hippo has a 6% larger footprint than the bias version of the same tire.
"Radials last a lot longer than bias-ply tires, wearing more slowly and evenly," says Dhananjay Bisht, national production manager - earthmoving, construction and industrial tires, Yokohama Off-Highway.
ConExpo, which takes place at the Las Vegas (Nev.) Convention Center, runs March 14-18.
