Michelin has launched what it calls the “first tyre specifically designed for automatic guided vehicles (AGV) operating in ports.” This is the Michelin X AGVEV, which the tyre maker currently offers in one size – 18.00 R 25 – through its dealer networks in Europe and Asia. Michelin intends to extend availability to other regions at a later date.
Goodyear has introduced a new generation of tyres for specialised container handling machinery such as reach stackers. The tyre maker says the GEN II versions of its EV-4S and EV-5S bring a range of new technologies to improve efficiency, stability and durability.
Goodyear has launched a new tyre for port applications, and says its focus when developing the tyre was upon “improved tread wear to help increase efficiency,” a “decisive factor in modern port and industrial handling.” A further aim of the Goodyear EV-4M Port Handler is to “promote driver comfort.”
Magna Tyres Group has added to its material handling tyre line up with the introduction of the 18.00-25 Magna M-Stacker tyre. This is a tyre for use on reach stackers, empty container handlers and heavy-duty forklifts and is designed to improve the efficiency and productivity of cargo and port operations.
Continental is changing the name of its StraddleMaster+ port tyre line to TerminalMaster V.ply. This change of name is also accompanied by a significant expansion of the tyre’s application recommendations: Instead of primarily being intended for use on straddle carriers, Continental says “intensive tests in the laboratory and in real-life use” have led it to additionally recommend the tyre for use at airports and for heavy-duty transport in the industrial sector.
Künz, an original equipment manufacturer of machinery including the rubber tyred gantry cranes (RTG) used in ports, is fitting Continental’s CraneMaster tyres to its new Freerider RTG.
Continental has announced the reorganisation of various global specialist tyre activities into a single ‘Specialty Tyres’ business unit. Formed on 1 July, the company has combined its ‘Commercial Specialty Tires’, ‘Two Wheel Tires’ and ‘Hoosier Racing Tire’ business areas under the new umbrella unit. The result of the reorganisation means the entire Continental speciality tyre business will be developed, manufactured and distributed worldwide under the new unit. It brings together tyres for material handling, the agricultural, port, and construction sectors, bicycle and motorcycle tyres, and tyres for racing. The move continues the evolution of various specialist tyre segments within the company, begun at the start of 2013, when Conti renamed its industrial tyres business ‘Commercial Specialty Tires’.
The new Marangoni Marix M-Port retreaded port tyre is designed to be fitted on “all the articulated positions of both the truck and trailer axles used in port operations”. The new M-Port features a bi-directional tread with a deep pattern and reinforced shoulders in order to withstand impacts and lateral friction.
Maxam Tire has made further additions to its range of port tyres, introducing two new products: The Maxam MS307 PortXtra IND-3 and MS407 PortXtra IND-4.
Conditions encountered when working in ports operations pose particular challenges to tyres. They need to cope with significant variations in load weights, extremely tight turning circles, long periods of vehicle inactivity and sustained exposure to ultraviolet light. For this reason, Continental offers a wide range of tailor-made solutions for portside fleet operators, with pneumatic and solid tyres available for all types of vehicles used in port logistics. Crane manufacturer Kuenz has selected the Continental CraneMaster as the original equipment tyre for its new Freerider rubber tyred gantry (RTG) crane.
AME International has entered the port business with its Easy Gripper, a tyre handling tool that allows users to manipulate and handle all sizes of port tyres.
Two further sizes have joined the Nokian HTS G2 E-4 range of cross-ply tyres for empty container handlers and forklifts. The addition of the new sizes 14.00-24 and 16.00-25 doubles the number of available sizes. All dimensions are available in two versions – the slick Nokian HTS G2 L-4S and the Nokian HTS G2 E-4, which features a chamfered pattern blocks for easy turning.
Continental is investing roughly 100 million euros in the expansion of its Lousado, Portugal radial earthmoving and port tyres production facilities. As a result of the investment, the newly-expanded plant, which will continue to focus on production of tyres with diameters over 24 inches, more than 100 new jobs will be created.
Continental will introduce its new radial port tyre portfolio at this year’s TOC Europe in Rotterdam. Developed to meet the demands of vehicles used for terminal operations, the newly expanded port portfolio is specifically designed for load and carry applications. The company also emphasises its service provision and aim to become a full solutions provider for port operations, referencing its slogan, ‘Every move you make’. Continental Commercial Specialty Tires (CST) will show its complete port product range at the trade fair, including V.ply tyres, radial tyres, and digital solutions on 18-20 June at booth D72 in Hall 1 at Rotterdam Ahoy.
It recently upgraded its V.ply port tyre line with the introduction of Port Plus, a compound designed to reduce heat generation and abrasion. Now Continental has announced plans to complete its port tyre portfolio next year with the summer 2019 launch of new radial products.
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