American launch for Conti HSC1, HDC1

North American customers were recently introduced to Continental’s HSC1 and HDC1 steer and drive construction tyres; billed by Continental Tires the Americas (CTA) as its ‘next generation’ of construction tyres, the new products replace the original HSC and HDC in this region. In mid-May the range was presented to fleet customers, dealers and media at CTA’s 2,000 hectare proving grounds in Uvalde, Texas.

“The addition of the HSC1 and HDC1 has completed our portfolio of truck tyres that are ideal for coal or waste hauling, logging, construction and other on/off highway service,” said Clif Armstrong, director of commercial truck tyre marketing for CTA. “Last year we introduced our new trailer tires for this segment, the HTC1 and HTL1. So with the steer and drive products launched at Uvalde, Continental now offers a new generation truck tyre for every wheel position in construction and severe duty trucking.” During the second half of the year these new patterns will also be complemented by equivalent ContiLifeCycle retreads.

Explaining the new tyres’ design qualities, CTA director of truck tyre technology Roger Stansbie reports a long-chain polymer compound has been employed to reduce the likelihood of deep tears, while resistance to highly concentrated pressure and added stiffness has been provided through a 4-ply belt with reinforced second and third layers. An improved bead core design addresses durability and extended life, while a contour shape with steeper sidewalls is intended to provide greater stability and minimised sidewall flexing, even under high loads.

The HSC1 is available in sizes 11R22.5 and 11R24.5 for load range H, with 12 further sizes scheduled for introduction later this summer. Stansbie reports the new tyre has a wider, deeper tread than its predecessor, resulting in a 13.8 per cent increase in wear volume. The HDC1 offers an 32/32nds tread pattern and compound that Stansbie says is formulated to provide greater original mileage. Compared to its predecessor’s 30/32nds tread depth, the new tyre reportedly provides a 9.5 per cent higher wear volume. In addition, the HDC1’s altered tread block angle is said to facilitate a 50 per cent reduction in trapped stone retention. The HDC1 is available in sizes 11R22.5 and 11R24.5 in load range H.