Accent on Cool Runnin or New Tyres

25th September 1964, Page 140

25th September 1964

Page 140

Page 141

Page 140, 25th September 1964 — Accent on Cool Runnin or New Tyres

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IF examined solely from the point of view of "What's new? ", the tyre manufacturers' stands at this year's Commercial Motor Show do not reach the level of the 1962 Show, writes Alan Havard. Then, the most evident trend was that towards tyres using steel in their methods of construction; in fact, nine out of the 13 exhibitors in 1962 were showing metallics.

However, time smooths out trends and today, two years later, the figures are unchanged. Still the same four companies have seen no reason to bring out a steel-cord tyre. Fortunately, the question of novelty is not by any means the sole criterion when considering tyres (although at least five brand new developments are on show).

There is, in fact, a lot of interest among the tyre stands and a thoughtful browse around could well be repaid in mileage, fuel consumption and other desirable fleet economies. Several of the companies lay emphasis on the continual process of improvement, and there is distinct evidence that tyre makers have well in mind the faster, heavier, betterbraked lorries now to be seen at Earls Court.

What, of course, would have been extremely interesting would have been an opportunity to examine one of the latest American developments—tyres with glassfibre cord construction. Perhaps in 1966. . . .

Among the new tyres this year are: Avon Supreme, claimed to give 15 per cent more mileage with use of polybutadiene tread material; India Autovan, for light commercials; Kelly Transport Special, a new giant for which substantial claims are made; North British FVV 71, a giant of nylon construction; and a rayon giant from Pirelli, the Cross Grip P522.

All the new giant tyres feature, according to their makers, great attention to cool running.

The Avon Rubber Co. Ltd., Melksham, Wilts (Stand 1781') describes its Supreme as a "major break-through" in tyre construction. Two-fold tread construction gives a cool-running undertread, sides all of extra-resilient rubber and a polybutadiene main tread which, the a24 company says, will give up to 15 per cent more mileage.

Also on show is the Radial; as its name implies, this is a steel cord tyre of radial build with wire breakers. The existing Traction Mileage range will be displayed, including a 16-in. tyre for use on and off the road. A heavy kerbing rib is provided on Avon's Express Delivery range, to prevent accidental damage.

Steel cord and textile construction is featured by Bergouguan Tyre Co. Ltd., 95-100 White Lion Street, Islington, London, N.1 (Stand 1831'). This year the company is exhibiting the range of British Bergougnan heavy transport service (H.T.S.) and R.Q.E. (roads, quarries and excavations)giants of steel cord construction. There will also be a range of R.T. (road transport) and M.P. (multi-purpose) textile giant tyres.

The H.T.S. and R.T. tyres are specifically designed to withstand long hauls under maximum load, whereas the R.Q.E. and M,P. (as their derivations suggest) are built with off-the-road very much— although not exclusively—in mind.

A visitor to Fort Dunlop might be fortunate enough—as I was recently—to witness the spectacular (but very convincing) demonstration of how to improve wet-road grip. It is not, therefore, surprising that the Dunlop Rubber Co. Ltd., Birmingham, 24 (Stand 184P) should make this property one of the features of its stand. "There is more to commercial vehicle tyre design and development than the achievement of higher mileage from longer tread life", the company says. "In addition to this important aspect of commercial vehicle operation the centrepiece of our stand emphasizes the importance of fuel saving, wet-road grip, safety and comfort."

Exhibits from Dunlop include the 9.00-20 R.B.6 radial ply; a Highway textile tyre of similar size; an R.K.8 (for rear wheels) and an R.K.9 nylon (for front), Other tyres to be seen will be the Powergrip Major, a Highway tyre with new kerbing rib—and a Duthane solid tyre.

The Firestone Tyre and Rubber Co. Ltd., Brentford, Middlesex (Stand 177P)

also shows metallics and textiles from ii existing ranges. These will include th company's Transport heavy-duty tyr( for general service; All-Traction tyrt for onand off-the-road work; Supt Mileage cross-lug designs; steel cor tyres and Transport low loader and ligl van tyres which have heavy scuffing rit

on each side wall. In addition, Fir( stone will show bonded rubber to met parts and the Airide air suspension.

Four basic designs are exhibited b Fisk Tyres Ltd., Derwent Street, Belpe Derbys (Stand 1861'). These are: Bs Traction, for onand off-the-road woni Light Truck, for smaller vehicles; Tiq Lug, which is claimed to have effectiv anti-skid properties; and Transportatiot built with Tyrex, Nylon, steel and rayon are all to b seen in exhibits on the stand of the Gooi year Tyre and Rubber Co. (Gt. Britair Ltd., Wolverhampton (Stand 179P Tyres on display include: the Super H Miler, which the makers claim to give u to 41 per cent more mileage, and whic is pre-stressed during manufacture t reduce operational fatigue and trea cracking; the Super Road Lug for a types of operation; the Super Singh Goodyear's low profile design; Unistee which has a belted construction; Nylo Cross Rib, which has a flattened trea pattern; Extra Tread S; Commercial Va Tyre; G.200, a radial ply tyre recorr mended for light vans; and Extra On for use on four-wheel drive vehicles. Henley's Tire and Rubber Co. Ltd. Stand 188P), a subsidiary of the Avon tubber Co. Ltd., is showing lilt designs. :hese are: Maxi-Miler, a heavy-duty * ansport tyre; Trek-Track, for all types Pf operation on and off the road; M.H. rid R.G., two types of low loader design; rid Cross Country, which is designed rrimarily for smaller vehicles.

One of the new designs on show is the Lutovan, and this can be seen on the stand f India Tyres Ltd., P.O. Box No. 5, nchinnan, Renfrew (Stand I76P). This ; not, say the Makers, a heavy-duty car ire, but a specially designed tyre for light ommercial vehicles. Also shown will be: uper G.17 and 0.17 Extra Mileage, two esigns for trunk work; Super G.25, /filch is specially designed for use on Dads with inferior surfaces—this design ; also available in nylon construction 'hen it is known as Nylode; 0.24 steel ardial ply tyre; 0.26 for building and Dnstruction work--under the name iytrak this is available in nylon conruction; Super Light Truck Tyre; and No types of low loader tyre.

Another first appearance will be that of le 113-R, which can be seen on the stand I John Bull Rubber Co. Ltd., 136-142 rictoria Street, London, S.W.I (Stand 87P). This has a rigid breaker construe

Lion which is claimed to give advantages over normal textile tyres in terms of increased tread life and reduced fuel consumption. Also on display will be: Powerdrive, for onand off-the-road use: Light Truck, Envoy and Deep-Grip—all for light commercials; vehicle hoses and fan belts.

Kelly-Springfield Tyre Co. Ltd., 1-3 Redhill Street, London, N.W.1 (Stand 180P), also have a new tyre on display. This is the Transport Special, designed for heavy transport over all distances. It has a wide tread pattern with three ribs, and the carcass is pre7stretched while cooling. These claims are made for the tyre: it gives 20 per cent greater tread wear; 15 per cent greater tread contact; 5 per cent greater tread width and 40 per cent more gripping edges than its predecessor. Also shown will be the Dual Trac and Tractor RIB tyres.

Nothing new is shown this year by the Michelin Tyre Co. Ltd., 81 Fulham Road, London, S.W.3 (Stand 182P). A selection from the full range of Michelin X tyres will be on display, these all being of single steel cord radial casing ply with braced tread. Among those shown will be: the ZZ, for normal road use; the Y, B and L types, for onand off-the-road use; and the C type for delivery work. North British Rubber Co. Ltd. (associated with U.S. Royal), P.O. Box 47, Castle Mills, Edinburgh 3 (Stand I85P), has a new nylon giant tyre, the FW 71. It has a wider, flat tread of 3-row design using a wide tread in the centre to give lower contact pressures. Also on show will be: Fleetway Steel Shield which, as ik name implies, is a metallic design; Radial Ply, with a fabric carcass in which the plies run radially from bead to head and are constrained by a steel band; Eleetway, a heavy-duty design; Fleetmaster and Super Fleetmaster for onand offt he-road work.

Pirelli Ltd., 343,345 Euston Road, London, N.W.I (Stand 181P), shows the new Cross Grip P522, a high-mileage rayon tyre with an exceptionally deep tread, and which is especially recommended for rear wheel service. The Light Truck P377 is an improved version of the previous design, having a kerbing rib. Other exhibits on the Pirelli stand will be: Carriload P377, a reinforcedtread giant of Tyrex construction; Atlantic P410 for construction work; Dual Purpose P441 for similar work; Low Loader P377; and Giant Cinturato, an 8.25 x 17 radial ply giant of Tyrex cord with inextensible metallic belt.