Michelin North America has completed the MICHELIN® X®TRA LOAD line-up with the addition of the 21.00R33 tyre dimension for 50 ton (45 t) payload rigid dump trucks.

The new MICHELIN XTRA LOAD GRIP™ and the MICHELIN XTRA LOAD PROTECT™ tyres allow users to increase load capacity by 10%, or accommodate more distance per hour to maximise productivity, the company says, adding that both the GRIP and PROTECT tyres will be offered in A4 and B rubber compounds.

Sarah Robinson, B2B Mining Marketing Manager for Michelin North America, said: “The MICHELIN XTRA LOAD tyre line is complemented by the MICHELIN XTRA DEFEND line for articulated dump trucks. This Michelin offer for transport trucks in quarries and mines provides a modern solution to maximise the amount of material loaded into these trucks while still delivering traction, damage resistance and increased tyre life.”

The new MICHELIN XTRA LOAD tyre is available for two surface rigid dump truck applications.

The MICHELIN XTRA LOAD PROTECT is for hard, sharp, abrasive conditions on flat, dry surfaces, where the priority is protection and damage resistance – conditions often found in quarries and construction sites. This application is for customers who want to carry up to 10% more load or increase the distances they carry up to a maximum speed of 34 km/h, according to the company.

With an 8% longer wear life, the revolutionary tread pattern contains a greater volume of tread rubber and has better load distribution across the contact patch, Michelin says. “The interlocking blocks and improved heat dissipation yield a cooler running tyre that allows increased speeds,” it says. “Corrosion-proof cables within the tyre structure increase aggression resistance.”

The MICHELIN XTRA LOAD GRIP tyre is for soft, loose, muddy ground conditions in mining and quarry operations on slopes and inclines, where the priority is high grip and traction. A reinforced casing gives the tyre a 10% more load capacity per machine – a huge increase in productivity when multiplied by the number of cycles made daily, the company says.

The tread is comprised of 30% more biting lug edges, which improves braking, cornering and acceleration in loose ground conditions. The tyre can also handle speeds up to 34 km/h thanks to cooler internal running temperatures, Michelin says. The tyre also provides 8% longer wear life with more rubber in the contact patch and improved damage resistance with corrosion-proof steel cables, according to the company.

For the XTRA LOAD PROTECT, the tonne miles per hour (TMPH) is increased by at least 9.3% and up to 69% depending on the specific compounding when compared with previous Michelin ranges, the company says. For the new XTRA LOAD GRIP, the TMPH is increased by at least 4% and up to 31% depending on the specific compounding when compared with previous Michelin ranges.

“This extended load and speed capability will allow users to optimise machine cycles and increase productivity,” Michelin says. “Greater volume of tread rubber in contact with the ground contributes to better load distribution, improved wear resistance and increased tyre life.”

The XTRA LOAD series is also available in sizes 18.00R33 and 24.00R35, the company added.