Kirkby Tyres has announced the availability of a number of new agricultural tyre sizes. Indian manufacturer BKT is supplying eight new fitments of tractor and trailer tyres to the Liverpool based wholesaler, while Kirkby UK exclusive brand Alliance has three new sizes of its 320 Value Plus tyre for small trailers, balers and agricultural tillage implements.
This year, Kraiburg Austria has launched a new in-house developed trailer pattern and also supplemented its existing patterns with additional sizes. The new trailer tread is now available as the K 800 in the K_Base range, as the KLT 1 in the K_plus line-up. The new tread is initially available in 287mm and 295mm widths and will be joined by 305mm and 320mm widths in the middle of the year. The retreading specialist says the K800/KLT1 is ideal for local and long-haul applications on semi-trailer, trailer and towed axles.
Industrias Negromex S.A. de C.V. (INSA), a subsidiary of Grupo KUO and Bandamatic announced that they jointly developed a truck tyre retread compound that meets US EPA Smart Way requirements for class eight truck tractor unit and trailer tyres at the start of 2014.
The CV Show’s organisers are gearing up for the 2014 event, but promoting its cooperation with a number of leading tyre suppliers. The idea seems to be to pitch to fleet operators and owner drivers alike, explaining that the show recognises the role tyre choice and maintenance cost plays in dictating profits. That’s why – the organisers say – this year’s show features 14 different suppliers to this “essential sector of the road transport industry”.
During the first year of its zero per cent credit scheme, Michelin financed more than £600,000 of agricultural tyres and supplied more than a hundred UK farmers. The tyre maker reports the success of this initial finance offer and says it is now being extended to cover the full Kleber brand range of agricultural tyres. As before, the promotion also includes Michelin’s full range of agricultural drive and trailer tyres, as well as rims required for its Ultraflex technology range.
Goodyear has made its new Fuelmax truck tyre available on European markets, including a steer size that the manufacturer believes to be the first with an A-grade for fuel efficiency on the EU tyre label. The new product was launched last year as the commercial line tuned towards better fuel efficiency – the other newly launched product, the Kmax, is likewise tuned towards longevity.
Last year, Continental introduced the first tyres in its third generation commercial vehicle range. These initial products, the HA3 Conti Coach, Conti CityPlus and the Conti Urban, catered to passenger transport, and now the manufacturer has followed up with the launch of its first 3G tyre for the goods sector, the Continental EcoPlus HT3 trailer tyre.
Continental is expanding its range of trailer tyres to include an increased load index option specifically designed for regional delivery applications. Thanks to its 5 tonne load capacity, the HTR 2 XL 385/65 R 22.5 with load index 164 is suitable for vehicles with a curb weight (without trailer) of up to 25 tonnes, including the city semitrailers used for making deliveries throughout Europe.
Bridgestone claims it “pushes back the boundaries of performance and tyre life” with it latest trailer axle truck tyre, the R168Plus, and states the tyre offers vastly superior tear resistance, lower rolling resistance and longer tyre life.” The R168Plus will be available in size 385/65R22.5 as of 1 October and is aimed at both the original equipment and replacement markets.
Goodyear is nearing the launch of its new generation of European market truck tyres, the Kmax and Fuelmax steer, drive and trailer tyres. The new tyres represent an interesting departure from other premium brand manufacturers’ portfolio strategies, taking the emphasis off the type of operation – long or regional haul for example – and put it on the fleet’s economic priority. Speaking to Tyrepress ahead of the official unveiling of the Kmax and Fuelmax, Marc Preedy, Goodyear Dunlop UK and Ireland commercial director, said that the altered focus of the new tyres reflected a changing market.
Goodyear has announced its plans to introduce a new generation of truck tyres, with two completely new ranges to launch onto the European market in September. Kmax and Fuelmax steer, drive and trailer tyres will focus on providing the manufacturer’s optimised longevity and fuel efficiency options respectively. Therefore the new tyres represent an interesting departure from other premium brand manufacturers’ portfolio strategies, taking the emphasis off the type of operation – long or regional haul for example – and put it on the fleet’s economic priority.
Following its employment of a full Michelin tyre policy for its trailer fleet in July 2011, Manchester based logistics specialist Davies Turner estimates it has saved more than £20,000 as a result of the decrease in tyre failures. The company says that pre-Michelin it dealt with at least one tyre-related breakdown per month from competitor remould tyres. The haulier’s 42 trailers collect hanging garments from North Africa, transporting them through Europe to the UK, with third party hauliers providing the traction. Each tyre failure that occurred overseas cost approximately £900 in call-out charges, tyre replacement and associated downtime.
Leading UK food waste recycling and animal by-product transporter, John Pointon & Sons has put into place a structured tyre management process. The firm will work closely with Staffordshire tyre supplier, Potteries Tyres of Stoke-on-Trent and Continental Tyres to minimise tyre costs and unplanned downtime, while ensuring the tyres meet the varied demands and working conditions of Pointon’s fleet of 68 trucks and 216 trailers.
Financing is now available for UK purchasers of Michelin agricultural tyres through the company’s new ‘Flexelagri’ credit scheme. The tyre maker says qualifying UK farmers and contractors looking to purchase Michelin agricultural drive or trailer tyres, or the rims required for its Ultraflex technology, will be able to spread the cost over two years at a 0 per cent finance rate. No deposit is required, however a £100 administration fee applies.
Four years after trialling its first Montracon trailer with Michelin X One MaxiTrailer tyres, Nestlé Customer Logistics reports that 25 per cent of its 200-strong tri-axle ‘Cooliner’ fleet is operating on the uniquely sized 455/45 R22.5 tyres. Nestlé Customer Logistics’ fleet operates on trunking routes between its production facility in York – which makes 6 million Kit-Kats a day – and distribution hubs throughout the UK. Moving forward, engineering manager Ralph Defty specifies the Michelin tyre on all new standard length trailers joining the fleet.
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