North American Launch for Michelin X-Traction Range

It’s been on the market here since 2004, but for our neighbours on the other side of the pond the Michelin X-Traction earthmover tyre range is so new you can still smell the factory-fresh rubber. The first offering in the range, a size 27.00R49 tyre, will be introduced into the North American market on July 1. This initial size will be followed up by a size 24.00R35 variant in September and two 33-inch fitments next year.

The first product in the North American X-Traction range is aimed at operators of 100-ton mining and infrastructure trucks using the 49-inch E4 size. With the addition of the 33- and 35-inch sizes, Michelin intends to offer the North American market a new generation of the tyre specially designed for smaller rigid dump trucks that operate on public works sites, such as construction and infrastructure sites. The tyre is also suited to operation in quarries, where rigid frame trucks are more often used.

“We’re constantly monitoring the North American market’s tyre needs in order to provide the industry with the best possible tire performance for the application,” said Roger Lucas, vice president of sales and marketing, Michelin Earthmover Tires. “Expanding the X-Traction tyre offering into North America and with additional sizes is a prime example of this commitment. The X-Traction tyre will provide outstanding performance for rigid frame trucks in a wide variety of applications.”

The environments in which rigid frame dump trucks are used require significant tread life and traction levels plus sidewall and tread area damage resistance. To help cope with the demands rigid frame trucks face, Michelin says it has integrated two new technologies into the new generation X-Traction. The first feature is the new ‘Cooling System’ shoulder design and the second is the ‘C2 Technology’ casing architecture. Together, these innovations are said to reduce heat build-up, thereby enabling trucks to operate continuously at higher speeds.

Furthermore, Michelin says the new tyre features a tread that is up to 13 per cent deeper that the Michelin XDT, which extends tyre life by up to 15 per cent. Thicker under tread rubber improves resistance to cuts and impacts. Michelin adds t hat the X-Traction also reduces tyre costs as its ‘robust’ tread helps to protect the casing, making retreading easier. The casing design is said to help reduce fuel consumption by up to five per cent compared with the XDT, an amount that Michelin says will save US$4,000 a year in fuel.