Following a corona-related delay, off-highway tyre specialist BKT is gearing up to introduce a new, supersized OTR tyre. It has now produced a prototype of its BKT Earthmax SR 468, a size 40.00 R57 tyre developed for use on rigid dump trucks. Over the coming months, the tyre maker’s engineers will test the prototype ahead of the line’s market debut.
Today Yokohama announced that it is consolidating its OTR tyre businesses into Yokohama Off-Highway Tires, which could be read as a prelude to the announcement Yokohama’s bid for the Prometeon tyre business. Roughly a year after the story broke, Yokohama’s bid for Prometeon isn’t the best kept secret in the tyre industry. Tyres & Accessories first heard talk of Yokohama’s bid for the ex-Pirelli industrial and commercial vehicle tyre business back in July 2019. The news was reported world-wide after we broke the story in September 2019, followed days later by third-party confirmation from the Chinese side of the deal. At that time, the deal was set to go public by the end of 2019. A few months later at the start of 2020, the timeframe switched to an end-of-first-quarter 2020 deadline. Then the coronavirus pandemic happened. And in the months that have followed things have gone quiet. So, where is Yokohama’s bid for Prometeon up to? The latest news is that deal is still on-track, but that there have been a few changes along the way. Here, Tyres & Accessories brings an update on the status of the acquisition and offers a different view on the deal by looking at it from a South American perspective.
BKT says it is “ready to take up the challenge” of developing tyres for the coming generation of self-driving and electric off-highway vehicles. The tyre maker is already addressing changes within the agricultural and construction sectors with a range of solutions, drawing upon its almost 30-year experience and in dialogue with end-users.
Magna Tyres has expanded its portfolio of ‘Made in Holland’ products with the introduction of the Magna M-Terrain E4/L4 in size 29.5R25. This particular dimension, which was specifically developed for medium and large wheel loaders as well as articulated dump trucks, has been part of the M-Terrain line-up for many years. In addition to being made in the Netherlands, production of the tyre will also continue in China.
Bridgestone Corporation has introduced what it describes as a “revolutionary” new MasterCore off-the-road (OTR). Speaking at a press conference in Tokyo on 7 August 2020, company representatives explained that MasterCore tyres are engineered for “ultra-high durability with performance that can be customized to various mine sites and operations”. The MasterCore product line has initially launched for 63-inch tyres, with additional patterns and sizes available to customers in 2021.
Health and safety gone mad! This refrain of outrage, often served together with a pint or three, is a staple UK gripe. But such tabloid-fuelled indignation is based upon a truth that benefits us all: HSE regulations ensure our workplaces are amongst the safest in the world. This aim to minimise potential danger is driving UK demand for a solution from Goodyear that offers the additional advantage of substantial cost savings.
General Tire has returned to the OTR tyre market – but not in Europe at this point in time. The Continental brand previewed its relaunch range at the Tire Industry Association Off The Road Conference in the USA in February, and General OTR tyres are being offered to customers in the Americas and Asia Pacific regions.
Triangle Tyre has been distributing earthmover tyres throughout Europe for more than fifteen years, and opened its own European headquarters in Milan, Italy, in 2017. The last three years have seen Triangle brand growing stronger within the region, with an expanding double-digit market share in the OTR segment, the introduction of new sizes to further expand an already-wide range, the opening of new partnerships, participation in international fairs – all achievements that Triangle proud of.
BKT doesn’t produce car tyres. Nor tyres for trucks or motorcycles. The company’s Research and Development Centre in India focuses solely on vehicles that operate off the highway, and constantly looks for new solutions by developing and fine-tuning tyre ranges and new tyre sizes for specialised applications.
Last year, Alliance Tire Group (ATG) launched the Alliance 585 for telehandler, backhoe and compact loader applications. The tyre maker reports that the initial size 460/70R24 tyre is already a bestseller within its range – and it has now added an extra five Alliance 585 sizes.
Family-owned construction machinery manufacturer Liebherr has approved E3/L3 and E4/L4 variants of the Continental EM Master tyre range for its wheel loader portfolio. Since early 2020, Liebherr dealers and end users have been able to order vehicles fitted with EM Master tyres direct from the Liebherr factory.
Japanese construction, mining, forestry and military equipment manufacturer Komatsu recently approved several Continental EM Master tyre models as original equipment for the Komatsu Dash 8 wheel loader series. As of January 2020, purchasers of WA270-8, WA320-8, WA380-8, WA470-8, WA-480-8 and WA500-8 models can select E3/L3 or E4/L4 versions of the EM Master in sizes 20.5 R25, 23.5 R25, 26.5 R25 or 29.5 R25.
Magna Tyres Group has appointed Elie Sleiman General Manager of its Singapore office, effective 1 March. Sleiman will lead sales within the Oceania & South East Asia region and has responsibility for extending the Magna brand presence, distribution network, and will focus on developing strong customer relationships.
GRI has introduced a new tyre for heavy-duty loader applications, the Gripex LT122. The Sri Lankan tyre maker says the LT22 features a sturdy and robust nylon casing that provides extraordinary impact and shock resistance for extended tyre life. It adds that the tyre’s tread compound ensures resistance against wear and cuts, whilst the tread design enables higher traction for better productivity.
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Triange Tyre
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