Mulgrew Trialling Michelin X One MaxiTrailer

In mid-2006, Northern Ireland based Mulgrew Haulage switched its fleet of tractor units and trailers over to Michelin tyre supply under the ‘Four Lives’ tyre policy, replacing the procurement arrangement it had with Pirelli. Supply of the company’s fleet of 130 Scania, DAF and Volvo tractor units and 300 trailers has in this time been supported by local MBA tyre distributor A1 Tyres, and through this arrangement Mulgrew Haulage has become the first operator in Ireland to utilise Michelin’s X One MaxiTrailer tyres. The firm reports positive experiences with the Michelin tyre.

“As a company we never stay still and like to change with the times, investing in new innovations that make good business sense,” commented Michael Murray, who is responsible for Mulgrew Haulage’s tyre purchasing and maintenance policy. “Michelin X One MaxiTrailer tyres offer us a range of significant fleet benefits in terms of mileage and fuel efficiencies, so we have made the decision to specify them as original equipment on our two latest Montracon trailers.”

Thanks to its 120 millimetre wider tread band and 35 per cent more rubber in the compound, the 455/45 R 22.5 size X One MaxiTrailer is designed to deliver up to 50 per cent more mileage than standard 385/65 R 22.5 XTE2 tyres. Mulgrew has fitted the Michelin tyres on two new Montracon tri-axle curtainside trailers to evaluate their performance. “We will be running a series of trials with these new trailers over a variety of different routes with a view to specifying X One MaxiTrailer tyres as original equipment on all new trailers if the trial is a success,” Murray explained.

The X One MaxiTrailer is primarily available for fitment as original equipment on new trailers manufactured across Europe, and when fitted to most conventional or mega volume trailers it can, due to its low profile design, increase load volume by between five and nine cubic metres. 

Staff from A1 Tyres have maintained and monitored tyres on the Mulgrew fleet for over a decade. “We continually seek ways for our customers to maximise fleet tyre performance and support Mulgrew in this move to X One MaxiTrailer tyres,” commented A1 Tyres managing director Wilson Mackey. “We will be monitoring the new fitment with interest.”