Michelin's XDR delivers 20% longer tire life for large off-highway trucks.
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The new Michelin XDR radial tire for large off-highway trucks features a redesigned, nondirectional, extra-deep tread for longer tire life—a 20% increase over its XKD 1 radial tire—and increased productivity. Evaluations at eight sites worldwide over the last 12 months confirmed the XDR is the toughest tire ever built by Michelin, according to the company.
The XDR is the most recent in a series of Michelin technology milestones. In late 1998, Michelin delivered the first 80 Series low-pressure technology radial tire—the 44/80R57 for 240-ton (217 t) haul trucks—which offered a 15-20% increase in tire life and up to a 3% reduction in overall cost per ton of material moved. Michelin also introduced the first 55/80 R63 radial tire used on giant haul trucks. In May 1999, Michelin announced the mining industry's first fully functional electronic tire-monitoring system. The Michelin Earthmover Management System (MEMS) is designed to increase tire life, improve safety, and increase vehicle productivity and is scheduled to be commercially available globally this year.
"Michelin is sensitive to customer needs to continually improve productivity. That's why we constructed the XDR with a number of unique attributes that can lead to bottom-line savings," said Jean-Louis Lateulere, technical support manager for the Earthmover Group of Michelin North America.
The XDR is an E4 radial designed to provide extra cut protection in severe operating conditions. With a new, innovative tread pattern composed of independent tread blocks around the centerline of the tire, the distribution of longitudinal (driving) forces is dramatically improved. Deep longitudinal and transverse grooves improve grip and handling, which enhance operator confidence and safety. The tire's nondirectional tread simplifies tire matching for reduced inventory requirements.
The XDR was developed by Michelin to deliver more productivity and lower cost per hour. With a choice of four rubber compounds—from Type A, the most cut-resistant, to Type C4, designed to be cool-running and capable of higher speeds—the XDR is designed for long life in a variety of surface-mine and quarry conditions. The XDR range is available in 40.00R57, 37.00R57, 36.00R51, 33.00R51, 30.00R51, and 27.00R49 sizes.
