Michelin Earthmover is addressing productivity and endurance issues found in today’s surface mines, in addition to challenging mining conditions, with the introduction of the Michelin XDR3 MB4 surface mine-haultyre.
The tyres have been in development testing for the last six years. They are developed for 400-plus-tonne trucks, and are designed with new compounds as well as a revolutionary new tread pattern that provides exceptional tyre life, increased by a minimum of 10% without any compromise on TKPH (tonne km per hour).
The use of corrosion-isolating cables incorporated into the tyre architecture results in a 10% increase in tyre endurance, a significant advantage for the trucks, which are typically operated for up to 23 hours per day in extreme terrain.
Michelin’s largest selling tyre globally, the Michelin XDR3 is designed for operator safety. Its 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 with its heat dissipation technology. 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 earth mover marketing for Michelin North America.
Available in the 40.00R57 size, the Michelin XDR3 is MEMS-ready and reduces rim slip with 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 tonnes due to its cable-reinforced carcass.
The tyre’s shoulder design helps it 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.