Compared to a standard agricultural tyre, the CompactMaster AG ensures five percent more surface area riding on the back of lug design. The tyre also has a land-sea (L/S) ratio of 30 percent, which means a larger portion of the tyre stays in contact with the ground.

“This is a reinforced tyre with a hard shell and a more flexible steel wire construction to help prevent cuts and damage, whilst offering greater stability for materials handling work,” said Benjamin Hübner, Product Line Manager Agricultural Tires at Continental Commercial Specialty Tires.

He added, “This tyre represents years of research and development by our agricultural research and development team in Lousado, Portugal. The new twisted steel belt construction has a unique Turtle Shield layer beneath the rubber to protect the tyre shoulder area from damage. The wider tread and lug widths have been specifically designed to offer better traction on a variety of surfaces and improve the self-cleaning properties of the tyre.”

 “This level of tolerance is an indication of the strength and flexibility of the tyre. The twisted steel belt provides a robust yet flexible tyre that can run at higher pressures on the road to enhance fuel efficiency, and lower pressures in the yard or field when carrying heavy loads,” revealed Hübner. (TT)

Michelin Launches Seven New Sizes For Trailxbib Tyre Range

Michelin announced the expansion of its Michelin Trailxbib tyre range with the addition of seven new sizes from June 2021.

The new sizes are – VF 500/60 R22.5 160D; VF 600/50 R22.5 164D; VF 710/45 R22.5 170D; VF 600/55 R26.5 170D; VF 710/50 R26.5 176D; VF 650/65 R30.5 181D; VF 750/60 R30.5 187D.

The Michelin Trailxbib range has incorporated various inputs from farmers to improve tyre performance elements. It comes with the Michelin Ultraflex technology, which in addition to resisting damage, ensures even weight distribution through the tyre contact patch and high levels of soil protection.

In addition, the tyres are fully compatible with remote inflation systems which allow the operator to easily adjust tyre pressures, including on trailed equipment in real-time and according to the driving surface or soil conditions.

Raymond Tavernari, Agricultural Product Category Manager, Michelin, said, "When this tyre was initially launched last year, it was the result of collaborations and discussions with our agricultural customers in many countries. We have now extended the range from two to nine sizes and this means we can now offer more of our customers the option to use the Michelin Trailxbib on more of their implements.” (TT)
 

BKT Adds New Variant To Ridemax FL 699

In a bid to expand its Ridemax FL 699 radial tyre variant, Balakrishna Industry Limited (BKT) has introduced the new 525/65 R 20.5 tyre size. The sectional width of this automobile component is 525 mm with an aspect ratio of 65 percent and 20.5-inch rim diameter. It will be an addition to its predecessor that measured 24 R 20.5.

The OEM’s relentless pursuit for innovation through an increasing focus on environmental sustainability has given rise to the Ridemax range. It is specifically designed for transport operations with tractors and trailers, in agricultural and industrial applications.

Opening the flotation range for agricultural vehicles and tank trucks, this tyre remains stable at high speeds, supports heavy loads in order to reduce transport cycles and reduces rolling resistance, thus consuming less fuel. It also features a reinforced bead which ensures a comfortable ride with safety and control.

The other varieties under this brand name include FL 693 M, FL 690, FL 690 IND, IT 696 and IT 697 (M+S). (TT)

Apollo Tyres Ltd has secured a one-season shirt-sleeve sponsorship agreement with AS Monaco, one of French football's most successful clubs, to increase awareness for its premium Vredestein brand.

This partnership will leverage Ligue 1's ranking as the fifth most watched football league in the world to raise awareness of Vredestein's award-winning products among a large audience in France and abroad. On November 22, AS Monaco's home league game against Brest will have the new sleeve branding for the first time. The Vredestein brand will be heavily promoted at Stade Louis-II for the 2024–2025 season, including on player sleeves and LED screens around the field. Exclusive social media initiatives will further help make the brand prominent, reaching a large and interested audience.

Yves Pouliquen, Vice President – Commercial, Europe, Apollo Tyres, said, “This partnership is an exciting opportunity to strengthen Vredestein’s presence in one of our key markets. AS Monaco’s rich history and commitment to excellence mirror our focus on performance and innovation. We look forward to building a successful relationship with the club and celebrating its achievements this season.”

Thibaut Chatelard, Marketing and Revenue Director, AS Monaco, said: “We are delighted to welcome Apollo Tyres and its Vredestein brand to the family of AS Monaco partners. This collaboration makes sense in view of the values we share, such as the constant pursuit of performance and excellence. There’s no doubt that this new support will be precious for the rest of our season, which promises to be thrilling.”

Nexen Tire, a leading global tyre manufacturer, has launched the Nexen N´Blue S tyre, adding to its range of summer tyres and providing drivers with advanced safety, energy efficiency and superior driving stability in wet and dry conditions.

Developed using highly dispersed silica and equipped with an optimised structural design, the Nexen N´Blue S tyre provides reduced road noise and improved driving stability. The tyre features an innovative tread compound, formulated with hydrophilic fillers and microstructure-controlled polymers, and provides lower rolling resistance and exceptional dry and wet grip. The tyre also excelled in test results by demonstrating an 11 percent improvement in wet braking distance compared to its predecessor.

Apart from providing excellent performance, the Nexen  N´Blue S also scores high on the sustainability index. The tyre provides an eco-friendly solution for environmentally conscious drivers by minimising fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. The Nexen N´Blue S summer tyre is available in 58 sizes, which makes it compatible with different types of vehicles.

Kumho Tire Vietnam Co., Ltd. is all set to expand its investment project in Binh Duong province of Vietnam, with the phase 3 of expansion commencing in early 2025. This was discussed at a recent meeting between Vo Van Minh, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee (PPC), and Kim Hyun Ho, General Director of Kumho Tire Vietnam Co., Ltd.

The meeting was held on 13 November at the Administrative Centre of Binh Duong province, as per an official statement. Apart from the company’s investment till date and the planned investment for phase 3, the two also discussed about the challenges and obstacles regarding procedures and processes to have more land funds to expand the manufacturing plant, along with taking measures to tackle the obstacles. Kim Hyun Ho also conveyed to the PPC Chairman that Kumho Tire Vietnam Co., Ltd. belongs to South Korea's Kumho Tire Group and is currently ranked 10th in the car tyre manufacturing industry.

The company had invested in a tyre manufacturing plant in My Phuoc 3 Industrial Park in 2007 with a total initial investment of USD 308 million, which was supplemented by another USD 300 million in 2021. This extended the factory scale to six hectares and increased the production capacity to 12.5 million tyres annually. With the expansion in early 2025, the company will raise its total investment to USD 908 million and increase the factory's production capacity to 17 million tyres annually. The expanded capacity is expected to be operational by early 2026.

Yokohama-ATG, a leading manufacturer of all-terrain and off-the-road tyres, has expanded its Galaxy MFS 101 SDS range of forklift tyres with the launch of white, non-marking tyres.

The Galaxy MFS 101 SDS range consists of puncture-proof SDS tyres with extended wear limits designed for high-intensity working shifts and long durability. These are premium, solid rubber tyres developed for tough demands, a long service life and high driving comfort. The addition of white, non-marking tyres is specifically aimed at clean working environments.

Marked by a 3-stage construction process, the forklift tyres feature reduced heat build-up, effective shock absorption and minimised vibrations. The pattern design guarantees a smooth ride and good steerability thanks to its continuous centre lug and circumferential grooves. Furthermore, the flat walls and wide flat profile offer excellent stability when using a forklift for vertical stacking. The tyres are also equipped with anti-slip steel beads for improved rim fitment

In a case study on a CAT 2.5-tonne forklift that was used for handling heavy pallets on asphalt, the Galaxy MFS 101 SDS outshone the competitors with impressive performance. The tyre delivered an approximate 900 working hours before replacement against competitors’ 500 working hours.