Michelin XZY 3 Tyre Tops 280,000km on R.W. Stewart Tractor

Michelin is highlighting the ability to get increased mileage from its XZY 3 tractor tyre through the regrooving process administered by ATS Euromaster during a routine vehicle maintenance inspection, by exemplifying a set of steer axle tyres fitted to a Scania tractor owned by R.W. Stewart – one of Scotland’s oldest privately-owned transport businesses. The tractor has clocked up more than 280,000 km on a set of Michelin XZY 3 steer axle tyres. R.W. Stewart managing director, Alan Stewart, comments: We have found Michelin’s XZY 3 tyres offer us improved steering feel and durability over the mixture of terrain we operate on, combined with the best sidewall and damage protection of any tyre we have found on the market.”

“Our core focus is the transportation of livestock, but the fleet is also used by our quarry business, so tyres lead a hard life,” Stewart explains. “Whilst the fleet spends most of its time on motorways, it is also required to operate on a mixture of A and B roads, as well as venturing off-road. The entire fleet benefits from high-powered V8 engines which make tyre choice critical in ensuring we maintain good traction at all times.”

The 530 hp Scania 144, operated by the livestock and agricultural haulage specialist, was fitted with Michelin 385/65 R22.5 XZY 3 tyres on its steer axle two years ago and has since covered more than 2,700 km a week. The Bo’ness-based firm has been a dedicated Michelin user for more than 25 years, with all tyres supplied and fitted by ATS Euromaster.

The steer axle tyres covered approximately 240,000 km during their first life before being regrooved during a routine vehicle maintenance inspection which enabled them to clock-up a further 40,000 km.  Once worn, the regrooved tyres were removed and sent to Michelin’s Remix facility in Stoke-on-Trent, where they were remoulded into a set of XZY 3 Remix tyres, which Michelin says “offer virtually the same performance as that of a new Michelin tyre”. Using this measure, Michelin says its XZY 3 offers operators a lower cost per kilometre and up to 25 per cent more usable tread, whilst also delivering a higher mileage potential, compared to the previous generation Michelin XZY. Its reinforced sidewalls and improved damage protection also ensures a higher acceptance rate for the Remix process.

Highlighting a recent tyre test carried out within its fleet, Stewart adds: “A while back we trialled a set of budget tyres on a vehicle to test the theory that it might save money, but the tyres only delivered around 50,000 km before needing to be replaced, and the vehicle suffered frequent punctures. It proved a false economy in comparison with the superior mileage performance and lower cost per kilometre we enjoy with Michelin.”