To address the productivity and endurance issues found in today’s surface mines, Michelin Earthmover has announced today the introduction of the MICHELIN® XDR3® MB4 surface mine-haul tyre. In development testing for the last six years, the new tyre — developed for 400 plus short ton (363 t) trucks – is designed with new compounds and a revolutionary new tread pattern that provides exceptional tire life, increased by a minimum of 10% without any compromise on TKPH*. The use of corrosion-isolating cables incorporated into the tyre architecture results in a 10% increase in tyre endurance, a significant advantage for these trucks, which are typically operated for up to 23 hours per day in extreme terrain.
The MICHELIN XDR3 — Michelin’s largest-selling tyre globally — is designed for operator safety. Michelin’s revolutionary tread pattern provides excellent load distribution across the contact patch and is designed to lower contact pressure and reduce wear rate**. In addition, the tread pattern is designed for better endurance, thanks to revolutionary heat dissipation. This prevents overheating, which can result in tyre failure, and, in turn, leads to a threat to operator safety.
“Michelin’s most popular tyre, tested on all truck brands, is designed for punishing environments such as oil sands and other surface-mining operations where safety and performance is the goal,” said Jamey Fish, Director of Earthmover Marketing for Michelin North America. “Michelin responds to customers’ needs by providing long-lasting innovative products to solve their most demanding business challenges in the specific environments where they operate.”
The XDR3 — available in the 40.00R57 size — is MEMS-ready and reduces rim slip thanks to a new flat bead wire, which strengthens the clamping force on the wheel and increases its contact surface with the rim. The non-directional tyre also benefits from more solid-steel cables, increased metal mass, thicker sidewalls and a new steel belt that offers increased protection against punctures in the tread area. It has a load capacity of nearly 36 short tons due to its cable-reinforced carcass. The shoulder design helps the tire cool more quickly, while the central zone and its large, beefy lugs are cut-resistant to improve both durability and traction capability. Wide grooves and channels provide traction and grip on graded and loose ground conditions. The MICHELIN XDR3 will replace the MICHELIN XDR2® line over the next several years.
*Projected improvement in tyre life based on wear rate improvements on the new MB4/MC4 tread compounds and on field performance in 14 customer mine sites over a 29-month period comparing the tread pattern of the MICHELIN XDR (on predecessor and prototype tires) to the tread pattern of the XDR2 and XDR. Additional improvements in tread cuts and tread fatigue anticipated because of 17 degrees lower tread operating temperature and corrosion-isolating cables. Actual results may vary.
**Internal comparison of +5% vs MICHELIN® XDR®2 40.00 R57
