"On dairy farms and other livestock operations, loaders are used to build silage piles, pack silage, pick up manure, load scales or do dirt work, so farm loaders need reliable grip in any conditions," he said. "And we see similar challenges on many construction sites where loaders are in more of an earthmover environment."
The Galaxy Hippo features deep, variable-angle lugs that are thicker than those on the bias-ply Hippo, adding durability and road ability, the company said.
Along the outer part of the tread, the lugs are almost perpendicular for maximum traction and feature aggressive, buttressed shoulders that add extra grab. Toward the center, the lugs curve to form a steeply angled overlap for steady roading and reduced wear at up to 25 mph.
Tire designers also extended and widened the nose of each lug to produce a smoother, more stable ride and reduce scrub wear while running on hard surfaces.
The Hippo radial also features a new, improved cut-and-chip-resistant compound for wear resistance on pavement. Below the tread, steel radial belts provide puncture protection and create a larger, flatter footprint to boost traction, flotation and tire life, Bisht said.
The flatter footprint and tire cavity are a result of radial construction, he said. The radial version of the Galaxy Hippo has a footprint 6% larger than the bias version of the tire in the same size. The flat, even footprint puts more rubber in contact with the ground, improving traction and slowing wear.
"Radials last a lot longer than bias-ply tires, wearing more slowly and evenly," Bisht said. "Radials also deliver better traction, and they have a much smoother ride. Operator comfort is a big factor in safety and productivity, and it can make a long day in the operator's seat feel a lot shorter.
"On top of all of the features we built into the Hippo radial for long service life, we also built the all-steel casing to be extra durable to allow retreading," Bisht said.
