Less Fuel, More mileage with Continental's New Truck Tyres
X-Pressure AcousticBlue: Now for the Mobile 'Phone'
Continental Launches Even Tougher Construction Tyres
Firestone Launches World's Widest Agricultural Tyre

Less Fuel, More mileage with Continental's New Truck Tyres

Continental Tyres has introduced a new range of steer and drive-axle tyres designed to help reduce costs for heavy trucks that cover high mileage on motorways. Using a 40-tonne articulated truck/trailer as the benchmark, Continental calculates that its HSL1 (steer-axle tyre) and HDL1 (drive-axle tyre) 'Eco-Plus' range can reduce tyre-dependent operating costs by up to 4.4 per cent for fleet operators.

The HSL1 Eco-Plus tyre for the steering axle has circumferential tread ribs with many traverse edges. Its ground contact patch is very wide, which helps it to achieve its high mileage performance. Despite the numerous fine sipes in the tread, the outer shoulder is particularly solid and the circumferential central ribs make the tyre highly sensitive with a precise steering response. The sipes on the shoulder ensure adequate cooling on the tyre. The special patented groove prevents stones from becoming trapped, whilst the groove geometry ensures extremely quiet running.

The tread pattern on the HDL1 Eco-Plus tyre for the drive axle is also unusual, in that it is directionally-orientated. This has benefits in terms of even wear, which in turn helps to achieve maximum mileage. The sipes in the circumferential lugged ribs change shape during acceleration and braking. As they open, they produce gripping edges that interlock efficiently with the road surface. This greatly improves traction in the wet and in the snow. The open tyre shoulder provides further traction - and thus safety - during braking. The sipes are also designed to ensure excellent self-cleaning.

The HDL1 and HSL1 Eco-Plus are available in sizes 315/70 R 22.5 (154/150L and 152/148M), 295/80 R 22.5 (152/148M) and 315/80 R 22.5 (156/150L and 154/150M)

X-Pressure AcousticBlue: Now for the Mobile 'Phone'

Pirelli has introduced a new version of its X-Pressure tyre pressure monitoring system that can operate in conjunction with Blue Tooth mobile phones. As a result Pirelli is now claiming to be the producers of the world's first "telephone tyre".

X-Pressure technology is based on a system constituted of a sensor fitted to the tyre's valve. Inserted into the valve cap, the mechanism can be used for both conventional tyres and Run Flat tyres and measures the eventual pressure anomalies in real time (different caps, dependant on the reference value) and communicates it in four different ways:

• X-Pressure Optic - optical signal on the valve cap (white: OK - red alarm)
• X-Pressure Acoustic - signal via the onboard electronic management system
• X-Pressure AcousticBlue - signal via a Blue Tooth mobile 'phone
• X-Pressure Monitor - signal on the InfoMobility system on board

Apart from the optical signal emitted by the first of the four systems, which immediately identifies the tyre that has the anomaly, all the other versions provide acoustic and visual messages, which identify the wheel fitted with the problem tyre.

The advantages of the four grades of the X-Pressure™ system soon to be introduced are as follows:

• Non-invasive - all are fitted to the outside of the rim/tyre * Minimum weight from 3.5 to 6 grams: zero risk of imbalance
• Standard rim - an ETRTO valve is sufficient
• Plug and play immediate fitment: no adjustment required
• Maximum accuracy - auto-compensation for different external temperatures and pressures.
• Maximum life - the battery inside the cap provides 5,000 hours of autonomy
• Economy - X-Pressure has been developed as a family of modular products in order to optimise costs.

The latest version of X-Pressure will be available on the replacement market in September

Continental Launches Even Tougher Construction Tyres

Following the success of its HSC and HDC tyres, Continental has introduced two new construction tyres - the HSC+ and HDC+. The new tyres boast a new tread compound which has extremely long polymer chains making the tyres tougher, thereby increasing mileage performance, durability and protecting the carcass for remoulding. As a result, the HSC+ and HDC+ are much more economical in combined on-/off-road use.The new tread compound is specifically optimised for use in applications where stones, rocks, and other sharp edges are particularly likely to cause tears in the tread.

Dr. Bernhard Trilken, head of Research & Development of Continental Vehicle Tyres at Continental, says: "Longer polymer chains in the tread compound intertwine more efficiently and make the tyre tougher with greater elasticity. Tears remain isolated and cannot penetrate into the tyre, which means tread breakages are minimised. As a result the casing is well protected and kept in good condition for retreading.

An additional benefit of the new compound is the improved wear resistance, which allows mileage performance to be increased significantly". The belt layer on the new construction tyres has also been considerably modified - there are now three times as many belt wires in the second and third plies and they have all been coated with special rubber. This design means that even under extreme loads there is less risk of the steel breaking. Should a stone work its way right through to the belt, this area of damage remains isolated and does not pose a risk to the surrounding areas. This reduces the risk of extended damage to the belt.

The HSC+ and HDC+ are available in sizes: 318/80 R 22.5 (156/150K) and 13R 22.5 (154/150 K and 156/150 G)

Firestone Launches World's Widest Agricultural Tyre

Firestone has launched the world's widest agricultural tyre. At 1250mm wide, it is claimed to be a full 200mm wider than any flotation tyre that Firestone's competitors have available. Designed specifically to minimise soil compaction, the tyre has a large tread radius and a relatively flat tread profile which allows the tyre to establish a large square footprint (6,226 cm2) as soon as the rubber hits the soil. The rounded shoulder minimises soil disturbance during turns.

One feature that many farmers will find appealing is that the tyre has a diameter of 1.994m and a rim width of 44 inches so can be used on smaller tractors. The tyre features 23 degree tread bars and 64mm tread depth to offer superior traction and minimise wear respectively. Each tyre has a load rating of 7,309 kg. A range of sizes is available within the flotation range offering the same benefits for smaller size tyres. There is also a steel belted version for forestry work.

Firestone's Marketing Manager, Barry Coleman commented, "These tyres have been developed in the USA, where Firestone are the market leaders in farm tyres. Despite the specialist nature of this product, we've already sold several sets within Europe, and the response from farmers is really positive. We're now looking for an opportunity to test them here in the UK.'