. ..Taken. for Granted .
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IT would certainly not be true to say that commercial vehicle operators—both goods and passenger—take their tyres for granted; but the day-to-day considerations of cost and mileage "do tend to obscure the many developments which come along almost unheralded and, consequently, are themselves perhaps taken for granted.
A report on page 53 in this issue of a tyre man's paper to the Institute of Road Transport Engineers in London serves to spotlight this vital matter of development. For example, five years ago Britain's first motorway was still being constructed (it was not, in fact, opened until November, 1959) and so demand for tyres 'capable of sustained high-speed work was non-existent. Specially designed covers are today available in profusion for such work.
Of more general importance than special high-speed giants is the development work which has been going on into improving grip in wet-road conditions, stability and—particularly—tread life. Modern, flatter tread patterns give a more even distribution of pressure across the tread. High-grip rubber compounds increase braking. Improvements in case construction, for instance in the employment of radialply building, give significant assistance to tread life.
How many operators appreciate that weight reductions in tyres can mean, perhaps, an extra 1 cwt. payload?
There is, incidentally, little doubt that the spur of intense competition amongst the members of the tyre industry creates this highly satisfactory position. Without competition the urge continually to improve would slow down. Therein lies today's thought for the Labour Party—would-be renationalizers of long-distance road haulage.