Michelin upgrades 250-ton rigid dump truck tire to feature improved wear resistance, increased tire life

Michelin North America has introduced the next generation of its mining tire for 250-ton rigid dump trucks - the MICHELIN XDR 250+ - that features improved wear resistance, optimized wear and increased aggression resistance. 

Available in a 50/80R57 size, the MICHELIN XDR 250+ tire improves wear resistance and increases tire life by 8 percent for MB4 and MB compounds, with no tradeoff in ton-miles per hour (TMPH) compared to the MICHELIN XDR 250 tire.

"With rigid dump trucks playing such a critical part of open-pit-mining operations, the tires are key to meeting mine profitability targets through lower operating costs," said Sarah Robinson, mining marketing manager at Michelin North America. "As our most productive surface mining tire for 250-ton trucks, the XDR 250+ tire provides up to 15 percent more TMPH for the MB and MB4 compounds versus the competition."

This next-generation tire for rigid dump trucks includes the following upgrades:

• The tire incorporates the second generation of two revolutionary compounds, MB4 and MB1, that provide improved wear resistance. An exclusive new mixing process with a superior level of carbon black dispersion creates a much more homogeneous mix that leads to a slower wear rate.

• Michelin multilayer technology provides optimized wear on front and rear axles. The outer layer is optimized for front axles for the first cycle of the tire's life while the inner layer underneath is optimized for rear axles for the second cycle. Tires are designed to be rotated to the rear axles to increase tire life.

• With an optimized contact patch, there is increased aggression resistance due to lower tire pressure for the same load capacity compared to the MICHELIN XDR 250. Less pressure on ground delivers an improved wear profile and protects the equipment.