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New Dunlop and Pirelli tyres for Earls Court
Page 134
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Trend to tubeless radials—but far fewer tyre exhibitors at this year's Show
ON the tyre front this year, the main trends are towards tubeless radials and further developments in low-profile tyres, with two exhibitors — Dunlop and Pirelli — unveiling new models.
Dunlop has made progress with the development of its low-profile radial tyre, the 70s series, although the range is still fairly limited in availability and application, being fitted only to certain new vehicles at present.
Nevertheless, this series, already used on the Leyland National bus, is receiving attention from truck operators. Although the low-profile tyre was originally designed to reduce loading height it offers several other advantages to the user. For instance, the low-profile radial reduces rolling resistance, and this, says Dunlop, gives an effective fuel saving of about two per cent. Other benefits offered by the lowprofile tyre are easier steering and reduced weight.
A Dunlop tyre new to the UK, the SP7 I I will be presented at the Show. This is an on off road tyre, derivative of one in use in France for some time.
Pirelli has also introduced new tyre models, one a tubeless version of the P555 lorry tyre and the second a steelbelted radial for light vans.
The new tubeless Cinturato P555 is a long-life, high-speed radial which offers the user reduced weight, and. claims Pirelli, speedier fitting. Because the new model requires only a one-piece wheel it offers a saving of 20 kg (441h) per tyre and wheel assembly over a 10.00-20 16ply tubed equivalent.
The van radial, the Cinturato TR37, is aimed at modern van delivery conditions and has been designed for either stop/ start operation or for fast motorway type journeys. Pirelli will also exhibit selections from its range of bus and truck tyres, including the Carriload truck P377 cross-ply, the Pirelli 617 van cross-ply and the Cinturato P589 truck tyre.
What does it save?
With truck and bus operators facing increased costs on most fronts, many visitors to the Show will no doubt be thinking in terms of "what-it-can-saveme". This is perhaps particularly true in the case of tyres, and all three exhibitors seem to be promoting their products and services on this basis.
Both Michelin and Dunlop, for example, are emphasizing the benefits of remoulding, Michelin, which is displaying a selection from its range including tubed and tubeless steelcorded radials, the XZA middle to longdistance high-speed truck radial and the XZZ general-purpose truck radial, is claiming that its truck tyres have an 80 per cent acceptance rate for remoulding.
The company is also promoting its tubeless radials, and it claims that by fitting them commercial vehicle operators can benefit from reduced weight, ease of assembly, improved balance,cooler running, better brake heat dissipation, greater safety and increased fuel saving. To illustrate these points in depth, Michelin has set up an audio-visual display unit on its stand which outlines the advantages of these tyres on all kinds of vehicles under widely varied conditions.