MICHELIN Earthmover has introduced a new mining tyre for 250 short ton rigid dump trucks that can increase hauling productivity by “at least 24%”, based on TMPH (ton miles per hour). The tyre -developed to fit Caterpillar 793F and Komatsu 830E AC models – can increase the amount of material carried per hour according to the company, a critical productivity indicator for this segment.

The new tyre, the MICHELIN XDR250 50/80R57, features “significant technical advancements: greater load capacity, lower operating temperature, faster driving speed, higher level of performance for improved productivity and longer life cycle.”

“Rigid dump trucks are the lifeblood of open pit-mining operations. These tyres need to deliver maximum productivity, safety and durability to eliminate downtime,” said Jamey Fish, Director of Earthmover Marketing for Michelin North America. “This tyre carries a 67 [short] ton nominal load capacity at a faster speed with a longer life cycle. Michelin is delivering solutions that can increase mine profitability through lower operating costs.”

MICHELIN Earthmover states that with a load capacity that’s 11.6% greater than its predecessor the MICHELIN XDR2 40.00 R57, “the MICHELIN XDR250 is the market benchmark for rigid dump trucks. A new tread pattern incorporates smaller rubber blocks crossed by grooves that optimise air flow and cooling. The tyre runs 17 degrees Fahrenheit cooler in the crown, allowing it to carry a heavier load at the same speed or to increase the average operating speed.”

To match the growing capacity of this new generation of machines, the MICHELIN XDR250 contains an additional 9.2% in air volume. The tyre is also MEMS-readied (Michelin Earthmover Management System), an integrated sensor system that measures both tyre pressure and temperature. Real-time alerts are sent to the mine operators in the control room to notify them in the event that a tyre is overheating or is over or under-inflated; so immediate action can be taken.