LAS VEGAS, NV (Sept. 22, 2008) Yokohama Tire Corporation featured four new sizes for its off-the-road (OTR) tire models at the recent 2008 MINExpo tradeshow, a mining industry exposition held every four years in Las Vegas. The RT41, launched in late 2007 with a 26.5R25 offering, is now available in two additional sizes – 29.5R25 and 23.5R25. The RB31, on the market since 1997 will also add two new sizes, 26.5R25 and 29.5R25, to the currently available 17.5R25, 20.5R25 and 23.5R25 lineup.
Both tires feature Yokohama™s flexible OTR belt wire and four layers of steel belts, the industry™s strongest belt package, that does everything from improve wear and durability to increase stability, according to Gary Nash, director of OTR sales at Yokohama.
The RB31 and RT41 have an incredible amount of technology built into them, said Nash. These advancements translate into improved performance and longer tire life, which means equipment spending more time on the job making businesses profitable.
Distinctive features of the RB31 and RT41 include a new tread compound, using an exclusive mixing process, that provides outstanding wear and cut resistance; high turn-up carcass construction and buttress side protection to guard against exterior damage; a unique nylon cord providing inner liner protection and a longer casing life; and a convex belt/concave carcass line that allows contact pressure to be disbursed more evenly.
The RT41 was designed to be a single tire suited for two deep tread applications. We created the RT41-E4 specifically for articulated dumps, said Nash. Its non-directional block pattern provides excellent traction on soft, rocky surfaces, along with great abrasion resistance. For wheel loaders and dozers, the RT41-L4 tire was created with a three-tread design that excels on soft surfaces.
In the regular tread-depth category, the RB31-E3 is suited for articulated trucks and scrapers and can perform on any surface. Yokohama also offers the RB31-L3 specifically for front-end loader and dozer applications.
Yokohama Tire Corporation is the North American manufacturing and marketing arm of Tokyo, Japan-based The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., a global producer and distributor of premium tires since 1917. Servicing a network of more than 4,500 points of sale in the U.S., Yokohama Tire Corporation offers a complete line of tires, including high-performance, light truck, passenger car, commercial truck and bus, as well as off-the-road mining and construction applications. For more information on Yokohama™s extensive product line, visit www.yokohamatire.com.
Yokohama is a strong supporter of the tire care and safety guidelines established by the Rubber Manufacturers Association and the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration. Details can be found at the Taking Care of Your Tires section at www.yokohamatire.com.
