GREENVILLE, S.C.—Michelin has unveiled a surface mine-haul tire, the XDR3 MB4, for 400-plus-ton trucks. The company claims the XDR3 offers a 10 percent gain in tire life thanks to new tread compounds and patterns.
In development testing for the last six years, the tire features a package of performance enhancements, including:
- The use of corrosion-isolating cables incorporated into the tire architecture;
- Reduced rim slip through use of a flat bead wire, which strengthens the clamping force on the wheel and increases its contact surface with the rim;
- A non-directional tread pattern designed for improved heat dissipation, which yields better endurance and operator safety;
- More solid-steel cables, increased metal mass, thicker sidewalls and a newly designed steel belt that offers increased protection against punctures in the tread area;
- A 36-ton load capacity due to its cable-reinforced carcass;
- A shoulder design that helps the tire cool more quickly; and
- Cut-resistant lugs in the central tread zone for improved durability and traction.
The XRD3 is available in size 40.00R57 and will replace the XDR2 line over the next several years, Michelin said.
“Michelin's most popular tire, tested on all truck brands, is designed for punishing environments such as oil sands and other surface-mining operations where safety and performance is the goal,” said Jamey Fish, director of earthmover marketing for Michelin North America Inc.
The company noted the extended tire life represents a significant advantage for this application, where the mine-haul trucks operate for up to 23 hours per day in extreme terrain.
The tire, which is being launched worldwide, is being produced at plants in Spain and the U.S.