Michelin has extended its agricultural tyre portfolio with new sizes for the AxioBib, MegaXBib and MachXBib ranges. The company says these offer the optimal solution for increasing profitability within agricultural operations at a time when increasingly large land areas are being worked and demands placed upon harvesters and tractors are growing.
The European tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) market could be worth 531.7 million euros by 2020, according to a report published on 23 January by Research and Markets. The European TPMS market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 30.4 per cent.
Michelin has launched an optimum tyre pressure calculator for tractors, harvesters, sprayers and trailers, which is available at www.michelin-agricultural-tyres.co.uk. Michelin reports that it has developed the tool to help farm machinery operators get the maximum performance out of their tyres.
Trimble Navigation has launched a tyre monitoring system for commercial and off-road vehicles. The Trimble TirePulse Tire Monitoring System wirelessly measures tyre temperature and pressure data and conveys these from the jobsite to give real-time tyre pressure and high temperature alerts. Trimble says the system helps fleet managers and site supervisors schedule cost-effective preventative tyre maintenance, extend tyre life, increase fuel efficiency and avoid blowouts.
Surface mines, quarries and cement works, plus infrastructure projects such as motorway, railway and dam construction, all have something in common. These operations are increasing in number around the world and in call cases articulated dump trucks play an essential role in their success. These vehicles, which can carry payloads ranging from 20 to 50 tonnes, need to be extremely adaptable, versatile and able to carry materials over sometimes difficult terrain, regardless of weather conditions.
In order to ensure motorists maintain tyres at the correct pressure with the minimum of fuss, Continental has produced an air pressure table that covers some 700 current vehicle models from 42 manufacturers. The table provides unladen and laden values and includes each model’s various tyre options.
Firestone is presenting its latest agricultural tyre innovations at the EIMA 2012 agricultural fair in Bologna between 7-11 November. The brand says its 201sqm stand (Hall 36, A11) presents the three pillars of Firestone’s business approach to the agricultural industry: its tyre innovations, Agri Point, the Europewide network of agricultural tyre service professionals, and E-tools to “make the farmer’s life easier”, such as its new tyre pressure smart-phone application.
The installation of incorrect tyre pressure monitoring system software has led to the recall of certain Aston Martin models in Australia. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has reported the recall of V12 Vantage models sold between 1 August 2009 and 1 October 2012.
On 30 July, Infineon Technologies reported its receipt of a 2011 Technical Development Award from the automotive system supplier Denso Corporation. Denso recognised Infineon for its development of a specific tyre pressure sensor chip that enables Denso to realise a more cost effective system and which supports built-in autolocation. Infineon’s TPMS sensors support direct systems, where the tyre pressure is measured inside the tyre and the pressure value is transmitted via RF to the receiving unit of the car. In this regard, autolocation means that the system automatically correlates the four received pressure signals with the appropriate four tyre positions.
Tyre pressure monitoring system technology provider Advantage PressurePro and Alliance Wireless Technologies, manufacturer of mobile rear vision camera systems and wireless communications products, have announced a new partnership agreement. The companies, who have worked together since 2009 as integration partners on Advance Wireless’ Vivid units, have formed a new relationship to bring PressurePro’s stand alone TPMS units to the waste and commercial markets.
Snap-on has released the latest software for its best selling family of hand-held diagnostic tools. According to the company, version 11.4 provides nearly 20 per cent more vehicle coverage than the previous software release introduced earlier this year including coverage of the manufacturer SMART.
“Continued and committed software development ensures that Snap-on customers’ diagnostic tools remain consistently powerful and productive in the workplace,” says Mark Ost, UK sales director for Snap-on Diagnostics. “Our new 11.4 software download has significant new and profitable key features to help the workshop technician deal with the sophisticated technology used on today’s modern vehicles.
Tyresure has released a new tool for tyrebays, dealerships and workshops; a precisely calibrated tyre pressure gauge that measures absolute, not atmospheric pressure.
In the US the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced a recall of certain Shandong Yongtai tyres. The recall relates to size LT265/75R16 and LT235/85R16 Negotiator Commercial H/T tyres manufactured between April 2009 and May 2011. According to the NHTSA, some of these Shandong Yongtai tyres have experienced blistering or bubbles on the tyre’s sidewall, which under extended use could lead to a loss of tyre pressure.
Michelin’s Protek Max inner tube has been presented with a Gold Award in the accessories category at the 2011 Eurobike Awards. A jury of bicycle industry experts decided the Michelin product was worthy of one of 10 gold medals. 430 products were entered. In the last seven years of the awards, the jury has rewarded innovation, practicality, environmental friendliness and longevity with Eurobike awards.
A team of NASA scientists have been honoured for a development that has the potential to further increase tyre safety. The scientists, which are based at NASA’s Langley Research Center, were named winners of the 49th Annual R&D 100 Award for their work in developing the “SansEC Temperature Sensor.”
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