Tire manufacturers have released a host of new products over the past six months. Here are some of them…

Bandag

Bandag’s two new tread products are expected to increase tread life by as much as 20 per cent, says the company. The BDM (Bandag Drive Mixed) and BRM (Bandag All-Position Mixed) treads were developed for refuse and construction applications.

BDM is for drive positions of vehicles driven in mud and snow in severe climates, while the BRM tire is appropriate for all-position use in on/off-road and P&D applications in milder climates.

Both treads fit most tire sizes used on construction and waste vehicles, including 11R22.5, 11R24.5 and 3415/80R22.5. www.bandag.com

BF Goodrich

BF Goodrich Commercial Truck Tires’ DR424 regional drive tire includes an aggressive, open-shoulder tread design with tread compounds tailored for regional service. It is available in 10R22.5, 11R22.5, 11R24.5, 275/80R22.5 and 275/80R24.5 sizes, all in Load Range G. The company also has two new on/off road tires. The ST576 On/Off road all-position tire has a four-belt construction for added protection against road hazards and improved retreadability. It is available in 11R22.5 and 11R24.5 sizes, both in Load Range H. The DR675 tire has enhanced construction to hold up under the tough conditions experienced in construction, mining, sanitation and logging. Available in 11R22.5 and 11R24.5 sizes in Load Range H, the new tire has four tough steel belts to provide added protection against road hazards and shocks while improving retreadability. www.bfgoodrichtrucktires.com

Bridgestone

Bridgestone has introduced a new deep-tread steer tire for regional, shorthaul and pickup and delivery applications. The R260F has a 22/32-in., 20 per cent deeper tread depth than standard steer radials, says the company. An Equalizer Rib structure combats irregular tread wear. Smaller ribs, constructed next to the larger tire ribs, absorb irregular wear forces, says Bridgestone. Thicker ribs along the tire sidewall offer resistance to curbing The R260F is available in standard and low profile sizes, with G and H load ratings for 22.5 and 24.5-in.wheels.

The company also has a new steer-axle radial for long-distance and regional haul.

Bridgestone’s R280 tire has a footprint shape that optimizes itself during early stages of wear to increase the effectiveness of the company’s patented Equalizer Rib design. Stress relief siping along every rib, special sipe contouring, straight-sided ribs, and use of Bridgestone’s Defense Groove are other incorporated designs which aim to stop the start and spread of irregular wear.

The R280 is available in 22.5- and 24.5- in. low-profile sizes with a “G” load rating with standard profile versions to also be rolled out. www.trucktires.com

Firestone

Firestone’s 29/32-in. deep drive-axle radial, the FD690 PLUS, is aimed at long-distance linehaulers, and has one of the deepest treads of any drive radial available, says the company, along with a continuous shoulder design engineered to cut down irregular wear.

An aggressive block/lug design on the tire’s tread has numerous angled edges to cut through water and road films. Centre lugs are linked by tie bars to add stability and fight heel and toe wear. A continuous shoulder design helps prevent the start and spread of irregular wear without sacrificing wet traction, says Firestone. The tire comes in a “G” load rating in both standard and low-profile sizes for 22.5- and 24.5-in. wheels. www.trucktires.com

Goodyear

Goodyear has introduced an entirely new commercial long-haul steer tire, the G395. The G395 was also designed to be a “tire within a tire.” As the original tread wears down, the edge blades, barrel shape and 5-rib design distribute pressure evenly throughout the ribs and tread, which results in uniform wear and more miles to removal, says the company. The G395 LHS design has lateral sipes and slots on the three main ribs to provide traction and handling. www.goodyear.com

Michelin

Michelin’s XDN 2 drive tire with Matrix multi-dimensional siping has individual tread blocks working together as a solid rib to deliver long, even wear, says the tire maker. Matrix siping also allows the tread blocks to function independently when needed, incorporating 1,300 biting edges for increased wet traction and performance on hard packed snow and icy surfaces, says the company.

The 27/32-in tread-depth tire is available in 11R22.5, 11R24.5, 275/80R22.5, 275/80R24.5 and 12R22.5 sizes.

Michelin’s XDY(r)3 line of drive tires is designed for traction and wear in mixed and severe on/off road service. Designed with a 31/32nd tread depth for longer life and a non-directional tread design, the XDY(r)3 boasts a 12 per cent increase in tread volume, compared to the XDY-2, for increased mileage and improved durability. This additional volume of rubber is represented by increases of five per cent in tread width, four per cent in tread depth and four per cent in net contact area. Size coverage includes 11R22.5 in load ranges G and H and both 11R24.5 and 12R24.5 sizes in load range H. www.michelin.com

Toyo Tires

Toyo Tires has introduced the new M-143 tire for local haul commercial trucks; and the M-1430 for low platform, high-load, high-cube trailers.

These two new all-position, all-steel radials’ wide-belt construction provides maximum stability on the road, says the company.

Designed to protect against heat and stress and steel corrosion, Toyo says the tires have increased durability. Five deep longitudinal ribs with a zigzag tread pattern minimize damage from stones.

The M-143 is available in 215/75R17.5; 245/70R19.5; 265/70R19.5; and 285/70R19.5. The M-1430, for trailer axles, is offered in a 215/75R17.5 size. www.toyo.com

Yokohama Tire

Yokohama’s new regional-haul truck tire, the RY567 is a regional rib tire that includes sidewall armour, built-in stone ejectors and a cut- and chip-resistant compound.

A deep 22/32-inch tread contributes to extended mileage and traction, while a five-rib tread design enhances mileage, traction and handling. A stress-wear control groove also contributes to long tire life and reduces irregular step-down shoulder wear. The RY567 is available in both 22.5-inch and 24.5-inch sizes.

Yokohama’s TY577 tire, meanwhile, is designed for long haul trucking. The TY577 is equipped with a combination of STEM-2 (Strain Energy Minimization) and MC2 compounding technologies. STEM-2 technology redirects normally destructive internal strain, reinforcing the casing to allow multiple retreads, while MC2 compounding technology generates less heat, allowing longer casing life and decreased rolling resistance.

The TY577 is available in four sizes: 295/75R22.5, 11R22.5, 285/75R24.5 and 11R24.5. www.yokohamatire.ca