GREENVILLE, S.C. — Michelin North America has upgraded its line of rigid dump truck tires with the Xtra Load Grip and Xtra Load Protect, two models that Michelin said will allow users maximize productivity either by increasing load capacity or operating at faster speeds.
The new models are designed for separate, distinct operating conditions, Michelin said — the Xtra Load Grip for soft, loose, muddy ground conditions and the Xtra Load Protect for hard, sharp, abrasive conditions on flat, dry surfaces.
Jamey Fish, director of earthmover marketing for Michelin North America, said developing the new products was in response to a global industry practice of adding side boards and lift gates to rigid dump trucks in order to increase payload capacity for optimal profitability.
The new tire range "provides a solution so that the maximum amount of material can be loaded into these trucks while still delivering traction, damage resistance and increased tire life," Mr. Fish said.
Michelin described the pair of products as the first "3-star" 24.00R35 size tires on the market.
The Xtra Load Grip is designed for mining and quarrying operations on slopes and inclines, where the priority is high grip and traction. Due to a reinforced casing, the tire has a 16-percent higher payload or an increase of nine tons in load capacity per machine. The tread features 30 percent more lug edges to help improve braking, cornering and accelerating.
The tire can be operated at up to 21 mph due to cooler internal running temperatures, Michelin said, and provides 8 percent more wear resistance along with improved damage resistance with corrosion-isolating steel cables.
This tire replaces the Michelin XDT and X Traction offerings.
The Xtra Load Protect is designed for quarries and construction sites where the priority is protection and damage resistance, Michelin said.
This tire has interlocking tread blocks and improved heat dissipation that reduces the temperature in the tread area by up to 17 degrees F, Michelin said, yielding better load distribution across the contact patch.
This tire replaces the X Quarry S and X Haul tire offerings.
Michelin said productivity — as measured by tons per mph — is a function of load and distance covered in an hour. For the Xtra Load Grip, the TMPH is increased by at least 20.3 percent in the A4 compound and 13.5 percent for the B compound, when compared with previous Michelin ranges.
For the Xtra Load Protect, TMPH is increased by at least 14 percent in the A4 compound and 42 percent for the B compound.
Michelin did not disclose where it's making the new tire lines nor say how they compare in price with the products they're replacing.