DUBAI—Continental A.G. tires were used in the construction of Ain Dubai, which has been described as the "the world's largest and tallest observation wheel."
Conti supplied 64 heavy-duty TerminalMaster tires for the wheel, contributing to the "smooth and consistent rotation of the wheel, with minimal down time," the tire maker announced Feb. 9.
Turning with the help of hydraulic motors, the tubeless tires serve as friction rollers in the drive systems at either end of the boarding platform.
The tires, most usually found on terminal tractor or trailer, were chosen for their durability and strength, said Conti noting that the products feature "an extra-deep tread profile and industrial-strength casing, with a higher resistance to damage and punctures compared to standard tires."
Furthermore, the tires are equipped with ContiConnect and ContiPressureCheck technologies, which will enable digital monitoring of the products.
The tires each measure 42 inches in diameter and weigh in at 171 pounds—compared to the 25-inch diameter and average 17-22-pound weight of a typical 195/65/R15 sedan road tire.
Officially open since October last year, Ain Dubai has the capacity to carry 1,750 people at a time with 48 cabins and features 11,200 metric tons of steel and nearly 1,500 miles of cable.
Conti said its tires were previously used in the London Eye, which was launched in 1999.
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