Bandag says its new FuelTech Drive and FuelTech Trailer tread designs and Synergy rubber compound are rewriting the rules about the fuel efficiency of retreads.

In an SAE Type II fuel test, conducted by an independent testing facility, Bandag’s FuelTech products statistically met or exceeded the energy-efficient performance of the XDA2 and the XT-1 new tires by up to 1.6 per cent, according to Bandag. The enhanced performance is made possible by the development of Synergy, one of the lowest-rolling resistance compounds in the truck tire market.

FuelTech Drive is offered in 24/32nds-tread depth with semi-closed shoulders for low rolling resistance and improved wear. Sipes in the tread provide improved traction. FuelTech Drive has also been designed with circumferential grooves for water evacuation and warped wall grooves for stone ejection.

The FuelTech Trailer tire, meanwhile, has 12/32nds-tread depth, large and varied groove angles for increased tread stability and decreased rolling resistance. Wide circumferential grooves provide for water evacuation and sipes aid in traction performance.

Michelin drives ahead with three new tire offerings

Michelin North America has introduced three new drive tires.

For those in regional applications, there’s the XDE M/S, which updates the XM+S4. An application-specific tread compound resists scrubbing in standard LRF/G sizes, while a chip and cut resistant compound is available in LRH sizes. Stronger curb guards help absorb sidewall impact, while full-width sipes offer extra traction on wet surfaces.

Also introduced is the XDS for such vocational applications as logging. Its deep shoulder grooves disperse water, while a “shock pad” cushions the working plies. Sidewalls are extra thick and include a rectangular bead bundle to hold the tire to the wheel.

Finally, the XDA-HT on-highway drive tire has been unveiled as the successor to the XDHD. The new tire has a tread depth of 30/32 inches and with a new tread compound offers longer mileage.

Hino penetrates Class 4 market with new cabover

Hino Diesel Trucks (Canada) has introduced a new Class 4 cabover with a 15,000 lb. GVW into the Canadian market.

The 2002 model year FA1517 shares many of the same components found on Hino’s well-known FB Class 5 vehicle and other mid-range truck models. The FA’s features include a minimum turning radius of 5.9 metres with the 12 ft. body length, a 4.1-foot longer body than can be mounted on a conventional truck of the same overall length, and the company’s four-cylinder in-line J-series engine designed to operate 800,000 km. The engine design holds the distinction of having had no problems passing the U.S. emission standards that tripped up many other engines not too long ago while at the same time actually reducing fuel consumption and increasing horsepower.

“We still continue to set our targets higher. We are confident that our J series engine has the potential to achieve further improved fuel savings and cleaner burning in the long run,” said Hiroshi Kawaguchi, Hino’s chief engineer, medium duty truck research and development division, who flew in from Japan for the announcement at Truckworld 2000.

The J series engine will eventually be compliant with the U.S. 2004 emission regulation by using further Hino technology including the company’s common rail fuel injection and Variable Geometry Turbocharger systems, Cool or Pulse EGR and reinforcement of the bearings and connecting rods to deal with increased cylinder pressures. The truck carries a three-year unlimited mileage warranty for the powertrain and two years-unlimited mileage on the cab and chassis.

The new FA is aimed at helping Hino penetrate into the Class 3 and 4 markets. Hino hopes to sell about 200 of the new trucks next year and move its overall market share beyond the current 13 per cent. All the vehicles appearing at Hino dealership lots will in fact be model year 2002 products with several enhancements.