Michelin + version X-Crane extends versatility

Michelin introduced the latest version of its road crane tyre range, the X-Crane+, at Intermat in spring 2012, with the product available since last summer. The tyre provides users with three important advantages: increased longevity, operator comfort and safety, and easy mounting to maximise uptime. The previous generation crane tyre, named sans +, was described as the market standard setter, but the new tyre, available in the segment’s best-selling 445/95R25 size, extends these properties, according to the French giant.

A radial tyre for road cranes, the X-Crane+ has received a speed rating of F, meaning that each tyre can carry a payload of 6,700kg at speeds of up to 80km/h. Today’s cranes are high-tech machines, capable of lifting loads of 35 to 1,200 tonnes, with anywhere from two to twelve axles.

The tyre’s versatility is shown in the variety of surfaces on which it can be driven; it handles roads and highways in addition to the harsh terrain of construction sites. The tyre lasts 15 per cent longer than its predecessor as a result of its new tread rubber compound. Designed to wear evenly, the X-Crane+ slows uneven wear associated with use on harsh surfaces while enhancing comfort for crane drivers and users, which in turn improves safety.