Three Giant BKT tyres with a host of standout features were set to be eye-catching sights for visitors to the bauma 2022 construction, quarrying and recycling equipment industries exhibition in Munich, Germany (24-30 October 2022).
Launched last year, the EARTHMAX SR 468 is the largest tyre ever made by BKT. It is designed for rigid dump trucks (RDTs) and exhibited in size 40.00 R 57 corresponding to a height of 3.5 metres, a width of 1.13 metres and a weight of 3,800kg.
The second Giant tyre is the EARTHMAX SR 46, displayed in the sizes 27.00 R 49 and 33.00 R 51, also designed for RDTs. The 33.00 R 51 size is equivalent to a diameter of over three metres or precisely 3,061mm, a width of 905mm and a weight of 2,400kg, while the 27.00 R 49 has a diameter of exactly 2,688mm and a width of 746mm.
Suitable for operations on rocky and harsh terrains, both these tyres are particularly resistant to impacts and punctures thanks to their all-steel structure that provides resistance to the casing. In addition, the E-4 tread depth offers extreme resistance in severe conditions. Finally, the tyres’ specially designed tread pattern and the tread compound have been developed to reduce the heat generation during extreme applications.
The tyre duo is part of EARTHMAX, the BKT range designed for a better weight distribution on the ground for dumpers, wheeled loaders, dozers, graders and some multi-purpose vehicles. Today, the EARTHMAX range includes 40 different tyres for the earthmoving, construction, quarry and mining sectors and is available in many sizes and different compounds.
BKT says it is working on many fronts in the off-the-road (OTR) tyre sector, with a particular focus on new compounds that are highly cut-and-chip resistant, as well as on ultra-heat-resistant compounds that are able to carry heavy loads maintaining, at the same time, an excellent TKPH (the average ratio between the transported weight by the equipment and the speed in km/h).
Continental was also due to play a prominent role at bauma 2022 with the German OTR maker launching its innovative LD-Master L5 Traction radial tyre.
Expanding the ContiEarth range and initially in size 35/65 R33, the new LD-Master L5 Traction radial tyre is said to be ideal for demanding conditions and is also fitted with tyre sensors ex-factory.
Construction and quarrying machines usually operate with heavy payloads and are exposed to a variety of harsh ground conditions, such as rock, gravel or rubble. The LD-Master L5 Traction is specifically designed for loaders operating on abrasive surfaces and in-face working jobs where high productivity and assured vehicle uptime are of the upmost importance.
The reinforced 3* carcass is said by Continental to satisfy the highest load-carrying capacity requirements, even under extensive production cycles. The L5 traction-tread pattern protects the carcass and ensures smooth and safe operation on the construction or quarry site. The solid tread block design always provides secure traction. The extra deep tread and sidewall protection also make the tyre more robust and ensure long-term productivity.
To minimise idle time and ensure serviceability even under harsh conditions, the special tyres fitted to construction machinery should be controlled as precisely as possible. The LD-Master L5 Traction is fitted with an integrated tyre sensor ex-factory, making monitoring possible in real time. The sensor monitors temperature and tyre pressure, always assuring the most efficient operation mode for a long tyre life.
At bauma 2022, Continental was also presenting a new generation of its ContiConnect tyre-management system. Version 2.0 is said to put in place the necessary infrastructure for the all-encompassing, digital tyre management of the future. To this end, the company has refined its system environment to keep it “perfectly in line with the specific requirements of fleet customers around the world.”
PSH Environmental is said to have eliminated all instances of punctures across its fleet of Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo) wheeled loaders by utilising Michelin’s ultra-durable X Mine D2 Pro tyres.
The Norwich, England-based skip hire, recycling and aggregates business specifies all new machines with the Michelin fitments, having found them to be more durable than any other rubber tyre on the market, while offering a much-improved level of comfort and performance over a solid waste tyre.
Nigel Parker, who runs PSH Environmental alongside his brother Martyn, says: “We fit the Michelin product because it is by far the best option for our wheeled loaders. The Volvos are fantastic machines, working in a very tough environment and we use a premium tyre to ensure we get the best out of them and avoid costly downtime.
“Unless you are very, very careless you really cannot puncture these tyres. The only other option for us would be to run solid tyres, but we have avoided that as the ride quality is so poor and, working on concrete, you can end up damaging the machine.”
PSH Environmental runs three Volvo loading shovels – one older L60H and two new L90H machines, all supplied by SMT GB. The L90H is the latest addition to Volvo’s H-Series, offering a higher load capacity and greater lifting height than any of its predecessors.
The business uses the loaders to move materials onto walking floor trailers, shifting waste into shredders and loading plant machinery at its depot in Norwich.
“The older L60H we have had for more than four years now, and it has the same set of tyres on as when we got it. It’s done in excess of 7,500 hours,” says Parker. “With the two new L90s I think they’ll last even longer – they’re fantastic machines. We can put about 26 tonnes of black bag waste on a walking floor trailer in around eight minutes.”
Designed specifically for operation in demanding environments, the X Mine D2 Pro is built with optimised rubber compounds to help withstand hard conditions and slow tyre wear. The range features a reinforced, resilient casing and an innovative, robust tread design to improve resistance to cuts and punctures.
Michelin’s NRF Technology – two extra plies added to the tyre construction, which contain crossed cords encased in rubber for greater resistance and toughness – helps to reduce downtime and increase load capacity.
“We’re running a busy operation and we can’t afford to have machines that are out of action with a damaged tyre,” adds Parker. “You know you’re not going to get that from Michelin. The tread pattern is bang on for the work we’re doing as well.
“We have tried other tyres in the past, but they are like chalk and cheese really. They just don’t stand up to what the Michelin’s can offer.”
