IMT awarded tire tool patent
GARNER, Iowa-Iowa Mold Tooling Inc. recently was awarded a patent for a ``bead seat/rim flange manipulating tool'' invented by IMT Senior Designer Brad Ethington.
IMT called the tool a ``modification/accessory/option'' that can fit on the IMT tirehand (Commander IV) used to handle the large tires common on heavy construction equipment.
The device holds the wheel assembly in place more safely than was possible before with ordinary mountings, IMT said.
The new design uses a tool that will mount to the tirehand pad rotation claw. This tool clamps around both the rim flange and bead seat band.
With the tool clamping the parts, a crane can push the seat back to allow access to the lock ring and o-ring, according to the firm.
Cooper launches b-to-b Web site
FINDLAY, Ohio-Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. has launched a business-to-business Web site that allows its customers to place orders and conduct other business activities with the company via the Internet.
CooperWorld.Net allows secure online access to customers wanting to place orders, check order status, view and print invoices and view product information, among other services.
Cooper said the site will be enhanced with new features regularly, as customers become more involved with the application and suggest ways for the site to be more efficient.
ARI plant passes ISO 9001 process
ONTARIO, Canada-American Remanufacturers Inc.'s (ARI) ABS friction materials division has received ISO 9001: 2000 certification.
The certification covers the quality assurance system for ABS's integrally molded disc brake pads for import and domestic passenger cars, light trucks and medium trucks and signifies the company's commitment to quality and total customer satisfaction, ARI said.
Goodyear OE on top-selling vehicles
AKRON-Goodyear tires have been specified as original equipment on all 10 of the best-selling vehicles through July in the United States.
The Akron-based tire maker has its product on 18 of the top 20 selling vehicles in the country.
Among those on the list are No. 1 Ford F-Series pickup trucks, No. 2 Chevrolet Silverado-C/K pickup, No. 3 Toyota Camry and No. 4 Ford Explorer .
``It's no accident that we're specified as original equipment on the top vehicles,'' said Bryan Kinnamon, Goodyear vice president, original equipment sales, North America. ``Consider our customer relationships and technology capabilities that result in technical approvals and order fulfillment responsiveness.''
BFGoodrich adds truck tire Web site
GREENVILLE, S.C.-BFGoodrich Commercial Truck Tires has launched a Web site that includes a dealer locator and information about such topics as tire construction and tire applications.
The site, www.bfgoodrichtruck tires.com, contains links to sections on tire information, dealers, history, news, products and tire sizes.
Also included are links to sections on load index, tire construction, tire recommendations, tire dimensions, tire markings and dual fitments.
In addition, the site includes a 24-page BFGoodrich commercial truck tires data book and information on all of the truck tires in the BFGoodrich line.