Michelin Earthmover releases next generation of rigid dump truck tires

Michelin Earthmover, Lexington, South Carolina, has announced the next generation of rigid dump truck (RDT) tires with the introduction of the Xtra Load Grip and the Xtra Load Protect. The Michelin Xtra Load range is designed to allow users to increase load capacity or accommodate faster speeds to maximize productivity.

“It is a common worldwide practice to add side boards and lift gates to rigid dump trucks in order to increase payload capacity for optimal profitability. This demand puts incredible stress on the tires,” says Jamey Fish, director of earthmover marketing for Michelin North America Inc. “This new, robust Michelin tire range provides a solution so that the maximum amount of material can be loaded into these trucks while still delivering traction, damage resistance and increased tire life.”

The new Xtra Load tire is available for two surface applications experienced by RDTs:

Xtra Load Grip is made for soft, loose, muddy ground conditions experienced in mining and quarrying operations on slopes and inclines. With a reinforced casing, the tire is designed to achieve a 16 percent higher payload, or an increase of nine tons in load capacity per machine. The tire can drive 21 miles per hour and is designed to provide 8 percent more wear resistance. This tire replaces the Michelin XDT and X Traction offers.

The Xtra Load Protect is made for hard, sharp, abrasive conditions on flat, dry surfaces that are present in areas such as quarries and construction sites. This application is designed with more load and increase the distances. The new tread pattern is designed to create a better load distribution across the contact patch. This tire has interlocking blocks and is designed with improved heat dissipation that reduces the temperature in the tread area by up to 17 degrees Fahrenheit. This tire replaces the Michelin X Quarry S and X Haul tires offers.

Productivity as measured by ton mile per hour (TMPH) is a function of load and distance covered in an hour. For the new Xtra Load Grip, is increased by at least 20.3 percent in the A4 compound and 13.5 percent for the B compound, when compared against previous Michelin ranges, the company says. For the new Xtra Load Protect, the TMPH is increased by at least 14 percent in the A4 compound and 42 percent for the B compound, when compared against previous Michelin ranges.