Tyre Products Named in Construction Equipment’s Top 100

Bridgestone, Goodyear and Michelin products all feature in Construction Equipment magazine’s ranking of 100 new construction related products. Goodyear’s DuraSeal commercial tyre technology was named editor’s choice in the ranking’s ancillary products division. Rod Sutton, editor in chief at the magazine, said editors considered about 700 product introductions before picking DuraSeal technology for the award.

When the top 100 listing is published in the US magazine’s December issue, it will also feature Bridgestone and Michelin products. These are: Bridgestone/Firestone’s VRQP, V-Steel rock quarry product and Michelin’s X-Super Terrain AD for articulated dumper trucks. The V-Steel’s strengths are particularly deep tread for longer life and increased traction, while Michelin’s offering is recognised for its claims to present 10 to 20 per cent longer life through its deeper tread and durable rubber compound.

Commenting on his company’s selection, Steve McClellan, vice president of commercial tyre systems for Goodyear, said: “Obviously we’re excited about this prestigious award. Customer acceptance of this technology has been overwhelming, and we’re being challenged to offer it in new applications.”

The technology uses a gel-like, solvent-free compound built into the inner liner of the tyre. It is designed to consistently and instantly seal punctures up to 1/4-inch in the tread area. No other tyre manufacturer offers tyres with built-in sealant. DuraSeal technology offers superior sealing efficiency compared with aftermarket liquid sealants, McClellan said.

“The tyre casing maintains its sealing capability even after it is retreaded. The technology is a long-term solution for an age-old problem,” he said.

Construction Equipment editor, Sutton, said the awards “emphasise innovations, highlighting manufacturers who are investing in research and development. Their investments pay off for equipment users in the form of greater productivity, efficiencies and safety.”

According to a company press release, DuraSeal technology is available in Goodyear’s new Unisteel G287 MSA mixed-service tyre for the refuse and sanitation industry. New sizes in G287 and G288 MSA mixed-service tires, available in early 2006, will be used in logging, landfill, construction, road building and other severe service applications.