Leading new and retread tyre producers for construction and quarrying machinery are investing heavily in new production techniques and tyre ranges. Guy Woodford reports
The multimillion euro project includes the installation of the latest generation of Banbury mixer that features rotors with variable intermeshing clearance, and can produce compounds with extensive filler dispersion, a fundamental requirement for achieving treads with very high mileage and, at the same time, low rolling resistance. The new Banbury mixer will also improve the quality of earthmoving tread compounds, making them more competitive for heavy-duty applications. The cutting-edge Banbury is set to be in operation at the Rovereto facility by the end of 2015.
The building of hot-cure retreads in a production ‘island’ is another key investment, as it flexibly manages the whole tyre retreading process, fully automatically.
Specifically to enhance production of earthmoving retread tryes, Marangoni has invested in a Shearography machine. “With this machine we can do a deeper study of the different types of tyre casings when they come to us and better control the finished product. It gives us a 100% quality guarantee on each product,” said Luca Mai, Marangoni’s sales executive manager for commercial & earthmover tyres. Mai says the Shearography machine really allows Marangoni to deliver reliable products and, when casings are not suitable for retreading, the system produces a report that can give the customer a detailed feedback on their product. Among the feedback might be information on how incorrect tyre pressure is causing damage to the casing. “This allows us to give a very important consultancy,” he added.
Mai says that Marangoni will be introducing before the end of this year two new rubber compounds for their earthmover retread tyres, taking the total number offered by the Italian firm to six. One of the new compounds will be super cut resistant for tough quarry and mine applications; the other will be for lighter applications in quarries and construction. “We are the only retread tyre company that develops its own compounds,” said Mai. “The introduction of a super cut resistant rubber compound is linked to our investment in our production plant. We are the leader in our market in Europe and want to stay the leader.”
Marangoni says its high quality retreaded tyres, made in the same way as new tyres, are 40-50% cheaper than new premium brand tyres. “We believe that giving the right second life to a tyre is giving the customer the right answer on saving cost by hour,” added Mai. “Our retreaded tyres give the same performance as new premium branded tyres.”
Protecting the environment is at the heart of Marangoni’s work, with the company proudly holding its ISO 14001 environmental management certificate.
To allow its dealers to keep customers better informed about the retread tyres on their machine fleets, Marangoni has introduced a new software program: the Marangoni Tyre Control System. “It helps our branches monitor tyres on customer fleets and to help customers maintain them. You can periodically check tyre tread depths and pressure and it helps the staff at our branches improve tyre performance,” said Lara Fontanari, of Marangoni’s product specialist marketing department.
The Conti EM-Master E3/L3 tyre is especially suited for application in muddy and soft terrain, while the Conti EM-Master E4/L4 is said to be an excellent option for use in gravelly and rocky grounds. Both tyre solutions offer different tread design features. The Conti EM-Master E3/L3 features a normal tread depth and wider spacing of blocks than the Conti EM-Master E4/L4. This is said to result in great self-cleaning characteristics, powerful traction, and good manoeuvrability which facilitate use in muddy terrain. The open tread design and normal tread depth of the E3/L3 tyre offers better cooling and therefore less heat build-up, ensuring a long service life.
The Conti EM-Master E4/L4 tyre version’s greater block size with less spacing between the blocks and deeper tread depth provides enhanced carcass protection and superior cutting resistance, minimising the risk of punctures and downtimes. The less tread block spacing also results in a smoother running, even on hard surfaces. Due to a high tread wear volume, the Conti EM-Master E4/L4 offers an even longer service life compared to the E3/L3. Both Conti EM-Master E3/L3 and E4/L4 will be available in the sizes 23.5 R 25, 26.5 R 25, and 29.5 R 25; the Conti EM-Master E3/L3 additionally in the size 20.5 R 25. These sizes make the tyres ideal for fitting on articulated dump trucks (ADTs), loaders, and dozers.
The Conti RDT-Master E4 is designed for the transport of extra-heavy loads. The special tread design with a deep tread depth and a wide and flat tread radius offers a high loading capacity and cutting resistance. The angled edges and the open shoulder design allow for higher lateral stability which results in better driving behaviour and maximum traction even on curvy terrain. The RDT-Master E4 will be available in the sizes 18.00 R 33, 21.00 R 33, 21.00 R 35 and 24.00 R 35 and is suitable for heavy-duty construction vehicles such as rigid dump trucks.
To increase the safety and efficiency of vehicle fleets in heavy-duty applications such as quarrying, mining, and construction, the proven ContiPressureCheck monitoring system can be easily mounted on both Conti EM-Master E3/L3 and E4/L4 and Conti RDT-Master E4. Due to automatic monitoring of the tyre pressure, the risks of puncture accidents are reduced which offers more safety for both driver and vehicle. Correct tyre pressure further leads to lower energy consumption of the vehicles and to increased mileage capability. Continental CST says fleet operators can significantly reduce their operating costs and increase the efficiency of their fleets by using ContiPressureCheck. At the same time, the environmental impact is downsized, since CO2 emissions are reduced and the life of the tyre is extended.
Titan International’s new Low Sidewall (LSW) tyre, said to be the first tyre of its kind to launch in the UK, has hit the road at two trial mining sites.
The LSW tyre is said to deliver a more stable and smooth ride for even the most challenging environments, such as quarries. This comes at a time where the demand for innovation in construction technology continues at a rapid pace and is further injected with higher horsepower, extended lifts and larger bucket capacities.
The Titan LSW tyre features a lower aspect ratio and smaller sidewall than a standard tyre, resulting in an increased wheel diameter without an increase in the outside diameter of the tyre.
This concept is said to have already proved successful in the automotive market, but Titan has adapted it for demanding construction applications. The result is less side-to-side movement, and therefore increased vehicle stability.
Lindsay Hart, European tyre sales manager for Titan, explains: “Our global heritage and expertise means we know that construction tyres must live or die by their contribution to overall plant productivity.
“On-site productivity is, of course, a crucial factor at any plant and the LSW tyre puts the driver at an advantage with increased ride quality, breakout force and handling, allowing them to perform their job more confidently. This is especially fundamental to quarry and mine-sites that are often subject to harsh environment and weather conditions.”
In June this year, a
A second set was fitted to a vehicle owned by Midland Plant, initially operating at a tungsten and tin mine based in southern England. Crucially, being based on these sites, the terrain was extremely tough and demanding.
Titan called upon their trusted tyre service dealer, T&C Site Services, to fit the tyres and take the lead on testing the tyres over the duration of the product trial.
Hart says: “The expert team from T&C Site Services impressively replaced all six wheel and tyre assemblies with the new LSW’s within just one hour. And, following an initial tyre pressure check, the vehicles were quickly sent back out onto site to continue working.
“Notably, early feedback received from the drivers was positive, who observed markedly better stability and smoother ride around their respective worksites. Meanwhile, the plant managers were extremely impressed with the speed and ease of replacement, which ensured the limited downtime of the vehicles.”
“The plant hire companies are set to operate the vehicles as usual over the coming months, with our newly fitted LSW assemblies. We have incorporated regular monitoring into the trial site schedule, in which tread depth and inflation pressure will be measured, along with a visual inspection of the tyres to ensure optimum performance.
“We anticipate some fantastic results from both sites, and are looking forward to seeing the testing reports from T&C Sites Services, which will continue to monitor the performance and durability. So, watch this space to see the results soon!”
Highlights within the Earthmax family are Earthmax SR 41, SR 45 as well as the new Earthmax SR 47, SR 51 and SR 53, which have been recently launched on the market.
Earthmax SR 47, available in the sizes 18.00 R 33 and 24.00 R 35, has been specially designed for rigid dumpers operating in the toughest material transport applications such as rock quarrying. Its all-steel casing along with strong multi-ply steel belts provides extraordinary resistance to snags and punctures – an essential feature for operations in rock quarries or other rough sites. Thanks to the increased E-4 tread depth, the tyre is said to offer an extended product lifecycle. In addition, the special lug design ensures a regular tread wear along with excellent traction. Earthmax SR 47 is also available in a version made of a particularly cut-resistant compound enhancing the tyre’s cut resistance on extremely tough terrains.
For loaders and dozers operating at rough sites such as quarries and mines, Earthmax SR 51 is the right ally. The non-directional tyre provides top traction performance in both forward and backward movements – ideal for digging and loading. This newcomer ensures a long tyre life, not least thanks to the extra deep tread (L-5 classified) and the cut resistant compound. The square shoulder design pushes loose stones aside significantly reducing the risk of cuts and punctures. The Earthmax SR 51 tyre is available in sizes 17.5 R 25, 20.5 R 25 and 23.5 R 25.
The Earthmax SR 53 features an extra deep tread (L-5). The tyre has been specially designed for loaders and dozers operating on extremely rocky terrains such as quarries and mines. The special cut-resistant compound allows for extended tread wear and minimises heat build-up, whereas the special groove pattern ejects stones and foreign matters ensuring outstanding self-cleaning features. In short, excellent overall performance and a long tyre life cycle turning into optimum profitability. Earthmax SR 53 is available in the sizes 17.5 R 25, 20.5 R 25 and 23.5 R 25.
Magna Tyres was at the recent
Offering great durability and enhanced working comfort and an E3/L3 tread pattern, the WB01 is designed for loaders, graders and articulated dump trucks. The WB02 for wheeled loaders and ADTs has an E3/L3 tread pattern and a special tread compound for optimal resistance against cutting and abrasion. The WB03 tyre with E3+/L3+ tread pattern is available for wheeled loaders and ADTs in tyre sizes 23.5 R 25 and 29.5 R 25. The WB04 for wheeled loaders and ADTs has an E4 tread pattern, with sidewall protection and flotation said to be enhanced by the tyre’s wide shoulder design. Finally, the WB05 is designed for wheeled loaders requiring maximum traction. The tyre has an L5 extra deep and aggressive open tread design, with the tread blocks providing stable ground contact. Before April 2016,
“Business is booming for us. People are asking for these tyres and buying on price and then quality,” said Hein de Wind, sales director at Magna Tyres, during bauma Conexpo Africa 2015. “We are working with exclusive distributor partners.” He said that Magna Tyres is hoping to seal a deal with a US distributor partner in the coming weeks. “The potential for the MTP tyres in the US is huge,” he added.
