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Goodyear's two-piece tire concept

The connection of the tire casing and belt/tread package that comprise Goodyear's two-piece tire concept is entirely mechanical - air pressure locks the pieces together - and does not require any special bonding agents or hardware.

Goodyear describes as an industry-first its new two-piece tire concept that it claims will significantly cut downtime due to tire removal and replacement. The concept consists of a steelcord tire casing that mates with a removable steel belt and tread unit that can be easily fitted to the casing in the field or in the maintenance yard using conventional tire handling equipment.

"It uses the existing tire size system and is completely compatible with all vehicles," said Bill Rayman, Goodyear OTR Engineer. Specially constructed restrictor belts that are part of the belt package keep the centerline of the tire flatter, producing a larger footprint and more equal load distribution. The connection of the tire casing and belt/tread package is entirely mechanical - air pressure locks the pieces together. It doesn't require any special bonding agents or hardware.

Goodyear's two-piece tire system is easily transported since it can be shipped in two smaller pieces instead of one large tire.

According to Goodyear, removal and replacement of the tread/belt assembly takes less than half the time than conventional tire-changing. In addition to the time-savings, operators can quickly switch to cooler-running or more rock-cut-resistant tread compounds.

"Initial field testing with size 33.00R51 has been very promising," said Rob Andrew, Goodyear Global Marketing Manager for OTR tires. "The concept has additional transportation advantages since the unit can be shipped in two smaller pieces instead of one large tire. This is becoming critical as tire sizes evolve beyond 57 in."

The front and rear wheels of this haul truck engaged in field trials are fitted with Goodyear's two-piece tire.

Testing continues at Goodyear's San Angelo, TX, proving grounds as the company further refines the two-piece tire concept. "Tread wear is meeting our expectations, and we are continuing field testing at a neutral site to establish long-term capabilities of the concept," Andrew said. "After additional long-term field testing, we will make plans to introduce the product to the commercial market."

Cat and DC form global alliance

Caterpillar Inc. and the commercial vehicle division of DaimlerChrysler AG have formed a joint global alliance to develop, manufacture, market, and distribute medium-duty engines, fuel systems, and other powertrain components to serve the needs of third-party customers and for use in their own products. The agreement provides the framework for a number of joint ventures, supply agreements, and cooperative projects, subject to the consent of U.S. and European regulators.

"This is a unique opportunity to create a premiere, global engine and fuel-systems producer with the size and resources needed for long-term success in an increasingly demanding marketplace," said Caterpillar Group President Richard Thompson, who leads the company's worldwide engine business. "The customers of both our companies will benefit from the shared expertise and efficiencies of scale we will apply to the task of increasing product value while lowering costs."

Dieter Zetsche, President/CEO of Chrysler Group and former head of DaimlerChrysler's commercial vehicle division, said, "This alliance is the culmination of a unique vision - the world's leading commercial vehicle manufacturer joining forces with the world's leading manufacturer of diesel engines and off-highway equipment. Our companies are an ideal strategic fit, with strengths and capabilities that complement each other."

According to the framework agreement, upon regulatory approval the alliance will create:

• A medium-duty engine joint venture that will develop, manufacture, and market current and future medium-duty engines and parts for sale to third-party customers and to DaimlerChrysler and Caterpillar for use in their own products.
• A fuel systems joint venture that will develop, manufacture, and market current and advanced technology fuel systems to third-party customers and for use by the parent companies.
• Research and engineering cooperation in such key areas as combustion technology, electronics, air handling systems, exhaust aftertreatment, and materials technology. The goal of the two companies is to enable their engines to meet increasingly demanding customer and regulatory requirements for noise and emissions control. These leading technology engines will be sold to third parties and incorporated into Caterpillar's and DaimlerChrysler's (Freightliner and its subsidiaries) own products.
• Combined purchasing volumes that will focus on delivering the procurement cost synergies created by the various elements of the alliance.

The medium-duty engine joint venture will include Caterpillar's U.S. facilities in Greenville, SC, and its operations in Peterborough, UK. DaimlerChysler will contribute its Sao Paulo, Brazil, facility. DaimlerChrysler's Mannheim, Germany, facility, both parents' engine remanufacturing facilities, and certain operations in Caterpillar's Mossville, IL, facility and in its Gosselies, Belgium, facility, will serve as contract manufacturers to the joint venture. Both companies' medium-duty engineering/development resources and related intellectual property also will become part of the venture.

The fuel systems joint venture will include Caterpillar's U.S. facilities in Pontiac, IL, and in Jefferson and Thomasville, GA, as well as its remanufacturing facility in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. DaimlerChrysler's Glatten, Wolfratshausen, and Rellingen facilities in Germany and its U.S. remanufacturing facility in Grand Rapids, MI, will participate in the venture.

In addition, the two partners reached agreement for Caterpillar to continue to supply heavy-duty 10- to 16-L engines for use in Freightliner trucks. Both DaimlerChrysler and Caterpillar emphasized that they also will remain independent global suppliers of heavy-duty diesel engines, which are excluded from the alliance.

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