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At bauma 2019, BKT Tires showcased its Earthmax range of specialised OTR radial tyres for rigid and articulated dump trucks, wheel loaders, dozers, graders and multi-purpose vehicles.
The highlight of BKT’s offering was the Earthmax SR 46 of size 33.00 R 51, the largest ever built by the manufacturer. The tyre has a diameter of 3.06m, length of 0.89m and weight of 2,400kg. The Earthmax 46 has been designed for rigid dump trucks operating in harsh conditions, such as hard and rocky environments and mines.
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The Earthmax 46 has been designed for rigid dump trucks operating in harsh conditions.
Dilip Vaidya, president and director-technology, BKT Tires, said: “The special tread design, block lug pattern and circumferential grooves of the Earthmax 46 provide the cornering performance and reduced wear and tear required for rigid dump trucks in extreme conditions. The Earthmax 46 will be commercially launched after four months.”
Other products featured in the Earthmax range for rigid dump trucks included the Earthmax SR 45 M and SR45. The Earthmax SR 45 M is designed for rigid dump trucks operating on muddy terrain and loose surfaces. The tyre provides the traction required for long hauls, and the deep tread provides constant resistance to numerous adverse conditions at job sites. The Earthmax SR 45 features a deeper tread that extends the tyre’s useful life, and a special lug shape to ensure traction in all conditions. The special compound designed for this tyre provides resistance to the risks frequently present in extreme operating conditions such as cuts, abrasions and other impacts.
For articulated dump trucks, the Earthmax SR 41 features a new tread that, in addition to being deeper, has reinforced connecting bridges to ensure greater block rigidity and therefore greater stability. The block geometry is specifically designed to ensure greater traction, which is essential for articulated dump trucks operating on particularly difficult terrain under adverse conditions. The Earthmax SR 35, also suitable for articulated dump trucks, has a robust steel-belted casing that provides the traction, stability, durability and resistance to snags, punctures and tears.
The Earthmax SR 53 is designed for loaders operating in difficult sites such as mines and rock quarries. Its special cut-resistant compound does not overheat, while the self-cleaning tread expels stones and foreign bodies.
BKT launched its first Earthmax model in 2008, and since then, the company has strategically moved towards expanding its ranges and sizes, and also developing solutions to increase performance in terms of traction, durability, safety and comfort. Three years ago, at bauma 2016, BKT launched the Earthmax SR45 Plus, an all-steel radial tyre for rigid dump trucks. The Earthmax brand has grown into a specialised range of radial tires designed to enable distribution of heavy loads on the ground.
