US Tyre Efficiency Study Results Due
In the USA the results of the National Academy of Sciences’ National Tire Efficiency Study that began at the end of 2004 are due to be released this week.
Posts
Michelin Backs Greenfleet Drive Day at Silverstone
Product NewsMichelin will actively support the GreenFleet drive-day event at Silverstone 11 April. The company says the event will demonstrate the value of its new Primacy HP tyres which are said to deliver “at least 25 per cent more miles than equivalent competitors’ products and the huge fuel saving benefits of its Energy low rolling resistance tyre range.”
US Companies Plan Tyres-to-Ethanol Facility
Product NewsUS companies Startech Environmental Corp. and Future Fuels (FFI) in the building of FFI’s own $84 million Waste-to-Ethanol Facility to be constructed in Toms River, New Jersey. “An important fact sometimes overlooked is that waste is an inexhaustible, renewable, ever-recurring resource.”
Joseph F. Longo, Startech Environmental Corp., president Startech also received the Letter of Intent from FFI for FFI’s purchase of a 100 ton-per-day Startech Plasma Converter System (PCS) for installation in the Waste-to-Ethanol Facility in Toms River, scheduled to go online in late 2007. Plans call for the Toms River Facility expansion to include a series of additional Startech PCSs.
New Regional Haul Steer and Drive Tyres from Dunlop
Product NewsDunlop has launched its first new generation 17.5” and 19.5” regional haul tyres: the Dunlop SP344 steer tyre and SP444 drive tyre. The new tyres provide optimum wet braking, traction and handling throughout their life. In addition, high mileage, improved fuel consumption and a greater resistance to damage are all benefits, which increase fleet efficiency, says Dunlop.
Featuring new construction, compounds and tread designs, the new tyre range is designed specifically to meet the demands of today’s hauliers and fleet operators.
TRIB to Challenge Truck Drivers at Mid-America Show
Product News(Akron/Tire Review) TRIB will hold its “Pump ‘Em, Don’t Thump ‘Em” contest at its booth at the upcoming Mid-America Trucking Show, set for next week in Louisville, Kentucky. The Mid-America Trucking Show is the trucking industry’s largest national event, and draws manufacturers, marketers and thousands of drivers each year.
The Pump ‘Em, Don’t Thump ‘Em contest, co-sponsored by ArvinMeritor, will be held Friday, 24 March at 10:30 am in Booth 6973 in the West Wing of the Kentucky Exposition Center.
Bridgestone to Launch New Steer Tyre and Retread Range
Product NewsBridgestone UK will use the Commercial Vehicle show in April to launch a new, long-distance steer tyre, the R249, and a new range of Truck Point retread tyres.
The R249, for trucks of 16 tonnes and heavier, has been designed following a study of nearly 1,000 fleets operating in six major European markets. Reliability and mileage proved to be the main criteria for fleets, followed by traction/grip, fuel efficiency and comfort. Cost per kilometre is assuming ever-greater importance.
Fact: Wheel and Axle Misalignment Costs Fleets Money
Product NewsHigh fuel and tyre bills can contribute to forcing hauliers out of business. Yet both these outgoings can be slashed dramatically by paying more attention to the subject of wheel and axle alignment.
The claim is far from new, but in spite of considerable publicity in the 90s it is surprising how few haulage operators put in place a preventative alignment programme. With fuel prices in excess of 90p/litre, and tyre prices going up by 20 per cent last year alone, it may now be worth considering this oprtion.
A Quarter of a Century and Still Not Tyred
Product NewsLeeds-based ContiNetwork member Tyre Maintenance Ltd is this year celebrating 25 years in business. The family-run company now has two depots in Leeds and Gateshead and 14 recovery vehicles, making it one of the largest and most comprehensive independent tyre providers in West Yorkshire and the North East. Run separately from their locally managed business, Tyre Maintenance also operates its own fleet contracts department, offering national fleet business various contractual options including fixed cost and PPK payment solutions.
WRAP Forum Focuses on Landfill Ban Legislation
LegislationThe impact of new legislation banning tyre shred from landfill sites was the main discussion topic during the second WRAP (the Waste & Resources Action Programme) Tyres Stakeholder Forum. Over fifty representatives from organisations involved in both new and recycled tyre markets gathered in London in January to receive updates on WRAP’s progress since the first Forum, held last June, and continue to provide views and guidance to WRAP on its activities under the programme.
Under-Inflation Solution?
Product News“With under-inflated tyres responsible for 6 per cent of all fatal motorway accidents – why isn’t more done to prevent tyre pressure?,” asks tyre pressure monitoring company, TPM Systems. For as little as 1p a day says it an bring a range of systems to the motorist. The Quik-Chek has been developed as a safe and quick way to accurately gauge tyre pressure – by simply pressing a button. However, while the gauge design is, by its very nature a direct monitoring system it does not update drivers in realtime or while they are driving. On the other hand it must be significantly cheaper than the aftermarket alternatives.
Record Mileage Performance for Owner-Driver
Product NewsCarlisle based owner-driver Keith Simpson has just replaced the original drive axle tyres on his Volvo FH12 tractor unit after an impressive 616,000 kilometres. The Michelin 295/80 R22.5 XDE2 tyres recorded this performance during the first life of the brand new tyres, followed by a regroove, which ensured an additional 20 per cent mileage. The regrooving also extended the tyres most fuel-efficient state, in line with Michelin’s Stop Thirsty Tyres Campaign.
Titan CEO Get Political
Career Tracks(Akron/Tire Review – Quincy Herald-Whig) Morry Taylor, who created a stir when he ran for president in 1996, is shaking things up again. This time, the president and CEO of Quincy-based Titan International took out a full-page ad 2 February in USA Today calling on Americans to demand common-sense solutions to some of the problems facing this country.
The top of the ad reads in bold print: “Americans are you stupid? I don’t think we are, but politicians, bureaucrats and the intelligent elite think so.” Taylor used the ad as a platform to express his views on a variety of issues he feels are being mishandled by the nation’s leadership.
Bridgestone R249 Voted Spanish Truck Tyre of the Year
Product NewsBridgestone’s R249 steer-axle radial has been voted commercial vehicle ‘Tyre of the Year 2006’ in Spain. The award, promoted by ‘Neumáticos y Mecánica rápida’ magazine, is now in its seventh year. Winners are selected by a group of more than 50 independent professionals, ranging from tyre workshop technicians to distributors, representatives of the media and members of several associations.
Bridgestone reports that it conducted extensive testing in nine countries, including Spain in the course of producing the R249. The manufacturer designed the product based on user requirements identified in a long-term study covering almost 1000 European fleets.
Indonesian Tyre Production up 4.2 million units
Product NewsIndonesia’s tyre production grew from 35.72 to 39.98 million units in 2005, according to the Indonesian Association of Tire Producers (APBI). The Asia Pulse news agency quoted APBI chairman Aziz Pane as saying that the increase in production was boosted by growing demand in the international market. Pane said 70 per cent of the production in 2005 was exported.
Burst Tyre Leads to Emergency Landing
Product NewsAn Air India flight to Delhi via Frankfurt had to make an emergency landing at Los Angeles International airport when a tyre burst soon after take off.
The plane dumped fuel over the ocean before returning to the airport. 100 firefighters and paramedics stood by but the jet landed safely and the 273 passengers and crew were unhurt.
