Continental Adds LSR1 and LDR1 to Light Truck Range
Stapletons Introduce Jupiter/Nexen to UK Market
New Agricultural Tyre from Nokian
Michelin Launches New E2 Tyre Range

Continental Adds LSR1 and LDR1 to Light Truck Range

Two new tyre patterns for light trucks have been announced by Continental Truck Tyres. Designed to fit 17.5 inch rims, the new LSR1 (Light truck, Steer axle tyre, for Regional traffic) and LDR1 (the equivalent Drive axle tyre) sizes are 205/75, 215/75, 225/75 and 235/75, plus the special-purpose size 265/70. The 245/70 will be available in both new patterns later this year.

Both LSR1 and LDR1 benefit from a rugged construction, supported through the use of improved rubber compounds, in which the carbon black molecules have been more evenly distributed to make a stronger tyre. The LSR1 steer tyre has an extra-wide tread area for maximum service life, while careful attention to the design of the groove geometry helps to eject stones to protect the tyre casing for retreading.

The tread design and geometry combine to give responsive handling. The extra-wide, deep tread and closed shoulder of the LDR1 drive tyre gives extremely high mileage performance, and its numerous lateral edges maintain high traction for safe road holding, even in wintry conditions. In addition, increased lug density in the centre of the tread pattern and wider spacing in the shoulder section ensure an even wear pattern.

The new tyre size 265/70 permits axle loads to be increased by 370kg on some vehicles which have been fitted with 245/70R17.5 tyres as standard, and is also ideally suited to the new truck class weighing up to 11.99 tonnes, which is exempt from the truck toll charges that are a growing trend on Europe's motorways.

Stapletons Introduce Jupiter/Nexen to UK Market

Stapletons is increasing the availability of a new tyre to the UK market. The Jupiter/Nexen, from South Korean manufacturer Nexen, is available in more than 140 patterns and sizes, ranging from family car to high performance tyres.

The Jupiter/Nexen's UHP (Ultra High Performance) patterns have fuel saving technology built into the treads which makes the tyre more economic for consumers. Advances in technology and use of computer aided design ensures the Jupiter/Nexen tread is effectively spaced to provide excellent water clearing capabilities and less noise, in line with the latest European legislation.

"Jupiter/Nexen is a quiet tyre that doesn't lose grip in wet conditions", says Stephen Marsh, from Stapletons' Marketing Department. "The tyre also has an innovative seamless top ply which gives for a smoother ride".

New Agricultural Tyre from Nokian

Nokian has launched a multi-purpose radial tractor tyre incorporating a number of the best features of the company's range of dedicated agricultural, forestry and industrial tyres. Known as the TRI 2, the new tyre has a block tread pattern which gives excellent durability, driving comfort and load-bearing capacity, making it ideal for trailer haulage, machinery movement and other road-based operations up to a maximum speed of 65km/h.

The directional pattern of the TRI 2's tread provides the tyre also with good self-cleaning properties, giving it the capacity to carry out effectively field top-work such as final seedbed cultivations, fertilising and spraying where traction is not a primary requirement. Distributed in the UK and Ireland by Nordic Tyres (UK) Ltd of Longtown, Cumbria, the Nokian TRI 2 is available in a range of sizes suitable for most agricultural and highway tractors, material handlers and construction machinery.

All speed-rated to 65 km/h, the tyre's block tread pattern is said to provide comparable driving comfort to a passenger car together with low rolling resistance, minimal vibration and a long working life. Being directional in design, the tread pattern also promotes good self-cleaning and grip, important factors when moving from field to road, and vice versa.

The TRI 2 is also unique in being the first heavy vehicle tyre from Nokian to be manufactured using harmless low aromatic (LA) oils in place of the toxic high aromatic (HA) oils which have been employed by tyre manufacturers since the 1950s as a softener within tyre treads.

Michelin Launches New E2 Tyre Range

Michelin is launching the new E2 range of 17.5 inch multi-purpose tyres for small and medium sized commercial vehicles plated between 6 and 12 tonnes. They are particularly suitable for driving on a mixture of motorways, A-roads and city streets.

Compared with the Michelin E1 it replaces, the Michelin E2 range is claimed to offer 20% extra mileage for drive axles and up to 10% for steer tyres. In addition, the tyres deliver improved grip and greater wear resistance, making them both safer and economical. Paul Kendrick. Michelin's truck product marketing manager explains. "The 20% improvement in mileage stems from new tread compounds combined with Michelin's "Double Wave" siped tread pattern.

"The 'Double Wave' sipe is two-dimensional, deep and interlocking and its name comes from the fact that it is wavy, both on the surface and underneath. Pressure from the load and from the engine torque causes the horizontal and vertical waves to generate a self-blocking effect that limits tread block movement, thereby reducing irregular tread wear and increasing mileage", he adds.

The Michelin XDE2 has several hundred "Double Wave" sipes distributed evenly across the tread, improving traction and grip on wet and slippery roads. Sidewalls on the Michelin XZE2 and XDE2 tyres also benefit from three rubber strips to protect the casing and improve damage resistance. These reinforcements reduce tyre scrub and abrasion damage from kerbs, thereby increasing mileage and improving retreadability.

The new tyres are currently available as 215/75-17.5 and 235/75-17.5 in XZE2 and XDE2, with all Michelin XZE1 and XDE1 tyres scheduled to be replaced by XZE2 and XDE2 by 2006.