Avoiding Stone Damage with Conti’s HTL1

Continental’s HTL1 super wide trailer tyre was introduced into North American markets in early July, and the company reports that users there are already praising a particular benefit delivered by the on/off road and construction use tyre. Although most fleets choose a super single trailer tyre to reduce weight or increase fuel economy, Continental Tire North America states customers have reported the HTL1’s stone ejection system increases tyre longevity other super single trailer tyres they have used.

The stone ejection system employed on the HTL1 is made up of a series of pyramids cut at unique angles in the groove. These pyramids expel the small stones that are often picked up as the tyre runs over the highway. Such an expulsion system is necessary, explains Roger Stansbie, Continental’s NAFTA director of radial truck tyre technologies, as otherwise the stones can over time drill into the tyre’s casing, causing damage serious enough to warrant removal from service and even preventing the tyre from being retreaded.
 
“The HTL1’s pyramidal stone ejectors work by ejecting these small stones or preventing them from reaching the bottom of the groove, where premature casing damage can start,” noted Stansbie. “Even with the addition of the pyramids, the groove bottom still offers sufficient passage for water, ice and snow.” According to Stansbie, an advantage of this pyramidal design is that the pyramids can withstand abuse and wear to a greater degree because they are connected to the groove side, as opposed to free standing. The pyramids are designed to maintain their effectiveness throughout the life of the tyre.

 One such customer attracted to the HTL’s stone ejection qualities has been Superior Ready Mix Concrete, one of the largest manufacturers of concrete and aggregate construction products in California. “The main reason we switched over to Continental’s HTL1 was the stone drilling aspect. Almost every tyre on our bottom-dump trailer tyres eventually has to be scrapped. With Continental, this has not been an issue,” said Lauren Jongetjes, fleet tire manager.

Superior Ready Mix’s fleet includes approximately 700 power units, with 90 dump trucks, 30 cement powder haulers, 450 concrete mixers, 110 bottom-dump trucks and trailers and other additional vehicles in operation across California. Jongetjes said they first experienced the benefits of Continental’s stone ejection technologies after switching their steer tyres to the HSR (Heavy Steer Regional tyre, now replaced by the HSR2). He said they also found that Continental’s HSL2 (Heavy Steer Long-Haul) and HDL2 DL (Heavy Drive Long-Haul Deep Lug) are less likely to retain stones than other tyres they have used. Overall his fleet uses Continental tyres for over 50 percent of its tyre needs. Superior Ready Mix has used wide base tyres on its bottom dump trailers for more than ten years. Jongetjes said when he saw that the HTL1 came in the 445/50/R22.5 size and included stone ejection technology, he knew it was time to switch to Continental’s wide base.

“As soon as I saw the tread design of the HTL1, I knew it was what we needed. Nobody else in the market had anything that fits the description of what we needed, which was a tyre that provides weight savings but also fits our application,” Jongetjes commented. “It’s doing exactly what I was hoping. For our application it’s definitely the best fit.”