Tyres at the SHOW

26th September 1952, Page 180

26th September 1952

Page 180

Page 183

Page 180, 26th September 1952 — Tyres at the SHOW

Noticed an error?
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.

OPERATORS sometimes assert that there is little to choose between one make of tyre and another. In an oblique way, this is a tribute to the high standards adhered to by all British manufacturers, but it may also reveal ignorance among users about tyre construction and design. This is understandable, because most tyres, in a specific class, look much alike. There are, however, important differences in types and the selection of the correct tyre for any particular class of operation is a matter requiring expert advice.

Important Claims

Good service to the operator depends largely upon the internal construction of a tyre, and in this connection the Michelin Tyre Co., Ltd., 81, Fulham Road, London, S.W.3, claims to have made important progress. On Stand 195 P it displays its new X tyre which, it is stated, affords a tread life sometimes double that of normal types.

The company has in the past devoted close study to the behaviour of that part of the tyre in contact with the road and-its interactions with the road and the rest of the tyre. It was found that different points of the tread in contact with the road had corresponding displacements beneath. These movements had to be prevented, so as to obtain a tyre which would roll without any contraction of its surface. This aim was partly realized in 1936 with the Pilote tyre, but the solution of the problem needed a revolution in building methods. The X tyre is the outcome of such a change.

The functions of wall and tread have been divorced. The wall plies solely carry the load flexibly and their movement does not affect the tread. It has, therefore, been possible to give them a high degree of elasticity. Transverse rigidity of the tread has been greatly increased by means of steel plies to prevent internal deformation.

• In effect, a twofold advantage is realized. The tyre rolls without contraction of its surface, and secondary \ distortion under the influence of transverse forces is suppressed. This affords a road-holding quality which is claimed to be exceptional. At the moment, production of the X tyre is small and potential buyers may have to wait for delivery.

Five other makers—Avon, Goodyear, India, Palmer and Pirelli—have something new for the Show. The Palmer Tyre, Ltd., Herga House, Vincent Square, London, S.W.I, displays on Stand 186 P three popular sizes of its latest giant product, which has generous sectional dimensions and an efficient tread design for normal road use. The new types shown by the other companies all come into the " on-and-offthe-road " classification.

The TM., as the tyre shown by the Avon Rubber Co., Ltd., Melksham, Wilts, on Stand 192 P, is known, has a six-ply rating carcass, and strongly built side walls and buttresses to resist fractures and cuts. The tread is said to run silently, wear evenly and have good anti-skid properties. _

The Goodyear Tyre and Rubber Co. (Great Britain), Ltd., Bushbury, Wolver

hampton, calls its new tyre the Road Lug. Exhibited on Stand 190 P, it has a sturdy centre rib to provide long road service and a deep self-cleaning tread with alternate long and short lugs for running on rough surfaces. Open shoulders afford „,adequate cooling and specially compounded rubber is used for toughness.

Besides showing the new All Purpose Lyre for use on both made and unmade surfaces, the India Tyre and Rubber Co., Ltd., Inchinnan, Renfrewshire, displays the latest versions of two other of its products on Stand 193 P. One is the Super Traction for cross-country vehicles and the other the Light Truck Tyre.

New Pirelli Tyre

A deep tread broken with lateral channels to give a pattern of heavy blocks marks the new tyre shown by Pirelli, Ltd., 343-345, Euston Road, London, N.W.1, on Stand 191 P. Its pattern is designated No. 226, and is complementary to the No. 268 for normal road use.

All 14 exhibitors are showing giant tyres that are equally suitable for both goods and passenger vehicles. Some passenger operators prefer giant tyres specifically designed for their requirements and are catered for by the India concern, the Dunlop Rubber Co., Ltd., Fort Dunlop, Erdington, Birmingham, 24 (Stand 199 P),_ and the Firestone Tyre and Rubber Co., Ltd., Great West Road, Brentford, Middx (Stand 189 P). The on-and-off-the-road classification may be divided into two sections, "rough surface" and "cross-country," although it may sometimes be 'difficult to state distinctly into which of them a particular tyre may fall.

Avon, Dunlop, Goodyear, India, Michelin, Pirelli, the British Tyre and Rubber Co., Ltd., Herga House, Vincent Square, London, S.W.1 (Stand 187 P), and Henley's Tyre and Rubber Co., Ltd., 95, Aldwych, London, W.C.2 (Stand 198 P), are exhibiting tyres made for vehicles that work wholly or frequently run off the road, add still give satisfactory performance on metalled highways.

Such tyres are a compromise between the normal road giants and crosscountry equipment, and combine substantial lugs to grip loose surfaces, with moderately broad centre treads for road work. Cross-country tyres are featured by Avon, Dunlop and Firestone.

Besides these main categories, there are tyres especially constructed to withstand ,the constant stopping and starting associated with the work of delivery vehicles. Dunlop, Goodyear, Michelin and the Dominion Rubber Co., Ltd., 62-64, Horseferry Road, London, S.W.! (Stand 188 P), show equipment in this class.

Battery-electric vehicles call for special tyre g and the Dunlop, Firestone and Pirelli companies produce suitable products. Low-loader tyres are shown by Avon, Dunlop, Firestone, Henley and India and the Bergougnan Tyre Co., Ltd., 95-100, White Lion Street, London, N.1 (Stand 196 P).

Perhaps the most comprehensive range is shown by Dunlop. The company's well-proved design is incorporated in its giant tyres and its P.T. equipment for passenger vehicles has, among other features, knife cuts. The Dunlop Power Grip' has a rugged pattern and sttengthened casing, and is suitable for work such as quarrying, and the Multi-stop tyre is intended to provide a good life on delivery services. The Trakgrip cross-country tyre has almost given its name to its type. Elektra tyres are made for battery-electrics, and Dunlop provides equipment also for low-loaders, taxicabs and vehicles 'running on solids.

Henley's low-loader tyre, the M.H., is also suitable for mechanical horses. It is claimed effectively to check tendencies to spin or skid. TheS.G. tyre is the outcome of study of the particular requirements of low-pressure equipment, which is ousting the high pressure type. Casing flexibility has been obtained without sacrifice of stability and the tread design affords high skid resistance.

The Henley R.G. tyre is in the onand-off-the-road category and its casing is protected by cushion rubber with exceptionally high heat resistance. The company's comparatively new P.G.

model for road use provides a compromise between the two ideals in tyre design—circumferential ribs for longest wear and transverse bars for maximum 'traction.

Besides the new Road Lug, the Goodyear concern is exhibiting its All Weather, Stop Start and Super Sure Grip tyres for various applications. Michelin supports its display of the X with the Metallic tyre, designed to combat heating troubles, the ZZ (zigzag) for normal conditions, the Y tyre for rough surfaces, and the N for use on slippery roads.

India shows, alongside its new products, the Super Giant tyre and the M: the two are similar in appearance, but the M is designed for extra heavy service. India also shows passenger: vehicle and low-loader tyres and equipment for mining and logging machines.

Exhibits on the Avon stand besides the T.M. include a heavy-duty giant tyre which embodies the latest developments in construction. The contour of the tread is flat to give long, even wear and the pattern allows silent running. The company's traction tyre, for use on

unprepared surfaces, is available in a range of popular sizes, like the Avon low-loader equipment

The North British Rubber Co., Ltd., 1, Birch Street, Wolverhampton, 1, shows on Stand 197 P seven examples of its range. The Firestone display comprises giant tyres for goods and passenger vehicles, including lowloaders and battery-electrics, and All Traction equipment. The Davies ,Tyre Co., Ltd., The Hyde, London, N.W.9, exhibits a selection of its Classic S and 13 covers on Stand 194 P.

Heavily buttressed side walls, flat treads and deep-cut patterns are features-of the Bergougnan B.B. giant tyres. The maker also shows types for low-loaders. The B.T.R. concern exhibits its Gilt-edged tyre, made for rough work, and its Express tyre, the tread of which is grooved to provide adequate grip on the road without

creating any undue tractive resistance.

The Royal Fleetway, a Dominion product, is built to afford good resistance to heating, and its flat tread profile and continuous ribs are to pro

long its life. Under difficult conditions, the tie bars across the bases of the ribs contribute a reserve of strength. The Dominion Royal Block is designed to meet the conditions of vehicles making frequent stops and starts.

Dominion also shows-its vented inner tube which has channels on its outer surface to permit the escape of air that may otherwise get trapped between tpbe and cover during fitting. It is stated that where they have been used, failures because of trapped air have been eliminated.

Exhibitors with interests outside the manufacture of tyres and tubes display various products on their stands. Firestone shows rubber-to-metal bonded parts, Pirelli its Carflex electrical cables, and B.T.R. fan belts, hose and anti-vibration mountings. Hose is exhibited, also by Dominion.