New Barum BF15 Steer Tyre
New Tele-Handler Tyres from Firestone

New Barum BF15 Steer Tyre

Continental's new Barum BF 15 steered axle tyre for short and long distance haulage has been designed to provide excellent mileage, improved grip in the wet and reduced noise levels combined with a competitive purchase price and buy-back value in relation to casing, regroovability and remouldability.

The design of the new Barum BF 15 relies on four belt plies, which guarantee first-class structural durability for the casing. The innovative groove geometry helps the tyre achieve a long service life and effectively reject stones, which have the potential to damage the casing when they become trapped. Long life, and even tread wear throughout the life of the tyre can be expected resulting from the use of an optimised tread contour for even ground pressure; and an improved tread compound.

Unique microsipes located in the outer tread grooves, which are particularly subject to stress, also extend tyre life. In wet conditions, four wide, circumferential tread grooves on the BF 15 allow the tyre to displace large volumes of water, maximising driving safety. The tyre also features numerous lateral and longitudinal sipes creating a large number of edges, which interlock with the road surface improving handling. Rugged tyre shoulders and longitudinally orientated tread ribs also offer a precise steering response.

In terms of reduced road noise, the tyres special tread pattern design, enhances its flexing characteristics, resulting in noise reduction, which exceeds all legal requirements. The Barum BF 15 is currently available in the following size: 295/80 R 22.5 152/148 M. A further size, 315/80 R 22.5 156/150 L (154/150 M), is planned for later this year.

New Tele-Handler Tyres from Firestone

Firestone has launched a new 20" tele-handler tyre (400/70R20) in their best-selling radial range. The R8000 Utility tyre is ideal for smaller tele-handlers. The tyres have been computer-designed to ensure the optimum balance of grip, wear life and most importantly stability.

An extra-wide tread arc achieves improved lateral stability over comparative tyres. This increases safety as tilt is minimised, even with maximum loader-arm extension. Extra stability is also ensured by the extra-thick sidewalls.

The tyre's designers have manufactured the tyre to provide reliable grip - particularly on hard surfaces thanks to the design of the lugs. The angle of each lug is not consistent to the perpendicular, which increases the contact area with the ground. This, along with the wide footprint - maximises the amount of rubber on the ground at any one time and provides a good compromise between traction and a comfortable ride.

A dense rubber compound helps extend tyre life and uniform tread wear is achieved - again by the new lug technology. The 'trail' angle of each lug is reduced so that the 'break-out' force on the rotating lug is minimised. This helps prevent the rubber being torn at the microscopic level.

Firestone's Marketing Manager, Barry Coleman commented, "Historically, cross-ply tyres have been fitted to tele-handlers, but with their increasing popularity, range of tasks that they are being used for and the loads lifted, operators are realising that the extra stability and other benefits that radial tyres can offer are worth the price premium. These new tyres use the same technology, design expertise and quality components as the rest of the R8000 agricultural tyre range."