New Specialist Tyres For Swampland
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AA BARREL-SHAPED, low-pressure The tyres, which are axle-driven and
tyre for use on loose sand and axle-loaded, conform to rather than resist swampland has been developed by the ground contours, enabling vehicles to Goodyear Tyre and Rubber Company. traverse terrain hitherto unnegotiable. A Known as the Terra-Tyre, it is. of tubenotable feature of the tread pattern is less construction and is clamped to that it is self-cleaning, thus ensuring specially designed wheels, maximum traction at all times.
The Goodyear company have carried out many tests with this equipment and claim that Terra-Tyres enhance mobility, increase traction, reduce rolling resistance and shock loads to a minimum, and minimize surface deterioration. They also serve as a spring system for the vehicle, are virtually puncture-proof, and can be operated at high speeds if required.
Tests have been carried out on a modified Bedford 4 x 4 truck fitted
with 46 x 18 x 20 Terra-Tyres on the front and 46 x 24 x 20 on the .rear. It hauled a Dyson four-wheeled trailer on 46 x 24 x 20 tyres through soft marshland while carrying a 10,000-lb. load of 30-ft. steel tubes. An unladen 6 x 6 truck on conventional tyres immediately became bogged down while trying to cross the same terrain.
Land-Rover Test
A Land-Rover has also been tested with 36 x 20 x 10 Terra-Tyres inflated to 4-1b. p.s.i. Operating fully laden with nine adults it negotiated soft, muddy and often bottomless marshland conditions with ease, and at all times the steering remained light and positive.
Goodyear states that the Terra-Tyre is not meant to replace the conventional tyre, but rather to supplement and complement it. A spokesman of the company said: " Today there are many vehicles utilizing conventional tyres which are not operating with maximum efficiency. Goodyear Terra-Tyres literally open up new ground for vehicle designers."