Belarus-based tyre maker Belshina JSC reports the production of its first 63-inch mining tyre. The tyre, which has a diameter of more than four metres and weighs 5.7 tonnes, is intended for fitment on dump trucks used in quarry and mining applications. Belshina reports that the tyre’s capacity exceeds 100 tonnes thanks to its steel cord casing, and it can be used at ambient temperatures between -55ºC and +45ºC.
The next generation of Michelin’s MEMS mining tyre management system is now available. With the release of its MEMS4 system, the tyre maker has added real-time GPS and accelerator data, and by doing so says its current TPMS offer has been transformed into a “complete monitoring and reporting platform for tyres, trucks, mine haulage and vehicle cycle analysis.”
The Kal Tire Mining Tire Group has acquired the South African operations of Tyre Corporation. It is hoped that the transaction, which took place for an undisclosed sum, will enable the growth achieved by Tyre Corporation in South Africa over the past decade to continue. It also gives Tyre Corporation’s customers access to Kal Tire services such as its exclusive Ultra Repair process for ultra-class tyres.
In September, Goodyear Tire & Rubber introduced a 63-inch version of its RM-4B+ OTR tyre. Upon launching this 53/80R63 ultra-large haulage mining product, Eric Matson, Goodyear’s global field engineering manager (OTR), opined that the new size will become a “must-have for mining operations around the world.” This new 63-inch RM-4B+, along with five smaller siblings – three new releases and two already on the market in North America – are now available in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Maxam Tire Latam showcased its OTR, industrial, construction and agricultural tyre lines at the 2016 Expomina show in Lima, Peru, held between 14 and 16 September at the Centro de Exposiciones Jockey.
Following six years of development and testing that involved the equivalent of circling the earth more than 625 times, Michelin has introduced a successor to its XDR2 mining tyre. The new XDR3 is available from this month in size 40.00 R 57, and as of January 2017 it will be joined in the range by a 53/80 R 63 fitment.
On 18 June Magna Tyres Group announced that Cemex UK has renewed the contract for Magna to deliver OTR tyres to Cemex in the UK for the next two years. Cemex is reportedly “very satisfied” about the performance of Magna Tyres because of “the low cost price per hour, the reliability of the tyres and low amount of breakdowns”.
Six years after it began operating in Western Australia, Kal Tire has expanded into Eastern Australia where the majority of major mines operate by buying Klinge & Co. No figure has yet been disclosed.
“Even though our reputation is strong and recognized in many countries, it has been a challenge convincing customers of our credibility inside Australia as our experience there has been limited.” says Dan Allan, senior vice president, Kal Tire’s Mining Tire Group. “With Klinge, Kal Tire aligns with a well-respected, trusted company known to the Australian mining industry and secures our presence as a national tyre service provider.”
Continental is show its specialist mining tyres at Electra Mining Africa 2016, held 12 – 16 September at Expo Centre Nasrec in Johannesburg. As well as a range of light, heavy and special application belts, mining tyres on-show include: the UnderGroundMaster, DrillMaster, ScoopMaster and EarthMoverMaster. Not only will these tyres be shown for the first time in Africa, but they are also being previewed ahead of their official launch at the MINExpo tradeshow in Las Vegas, USA, from 26-28 September.
Kal Tire’s Mining Tire Group has opened a new mining tyre repair facility in Australia. The operation in Muswellbrook is within the Hunter Valley coalfields, some 160 miles northwest of Sydney, and is said to be the first of several measures planned by Kal Tire as part of an expansion of its mining tyre management service offerings in Eastern Australia.
The latest OTR tyre from Michelin has been specifically designed to cater to the needs of underground mine operators who seek higher speed capabilities from their loader tyres. The new 18.00 R 25 Michelin XSM D2+ LC (Long Cycle) is an L5S tyre capable of covering a distance of up to six kilometres each hour – a significant improvement on the four kilometre limit attached to the existing Michelin product for this application, the XSM.
BKT says there is no way of overlooking its presence at Bauma. This comment relates to the company’s size 27.00 R 49 Earthmax SR 45 Plus mining tyre, which at an imposing 2.70 metres tall can be easily spotted within the Munich-based exhibition’s outdoor area, however it could equally apply to the number of new products that the off-road tyre specialist has brought to the show.
On 29 March, Titan International subsidiary Titan Tire Reclamation Corp. officially opened its oil sands facility in Fort McMurray, Canada. Titan International estimates that the operation, when fully operational, will be able to convert 240,000 pounds (108.9 tonnes) of scrap tyres to approximately 13,600 gallons (61,800 litres) of oil 52,800 pounds (23.9 tonnes) of steel and 76,800 pounds (34.8 tonnes) of carbon black each day.
Citing “weak market conditions that are not expected to improve during 2016,” Titan International has given word of layoffs that will take place at its Bryan plant in the US state of Ohio. The layoffs will begin on 8 February 2016 and affect at least 130 employees. The tyre maker anticipates these layoffs will be temporary and last a minimum of six months, however some may become permanent should market conditions fail improve.
Belarus-based tyre maker Belshina JSC says its goal of producing 63-inch tyres for mining trucks should be realised by the end of next year. The company reports that modernisation of the milling facility at its Babruysk plant is currently taking place, and according to the project’s schedule further equipment for upgrading the plant will begin arriving in January 2016. A group of Belshina specialists will also complete tyre building training at a location within Europe in the coming months and will assemble prototype tyres ahead of the first Belshina 63-inch OTR tyres leaving the factory some time in 2016.
