每日吃瓜

What are the factors that influence the productivity of tyres which in turn help achieve overall productivity of a machine?
Tread compound, tread design and casing quality highly influence tyre performance as well as machine productivity. CEAT OTR tyres have a wide variety of tread compounds, customised for specific application. For example, the tread compound used in open cast mining tyres are far different from that used in underground mines. Port and industrial backhoe tyres have different compounds, and constructions suitable for their specific application needs. Similarly, the tyre tread design determines traction and mobility in tough terrains. A strong construction and bead ensures smooth trouble-free service and reduces any chance of mechanical failure. The overall design of its components like right under tread design and high denier breakers reduces chances of puncture and hence reduces machine downtime.

What are the wear and tear possibilities in severe construction and mining sites? Whaxt are the design characteristics of heavy-duty tyres to minimise this?
Wear and tear varies from application to application and mine to mine. Usually, wear and tear is maximum in UG mines. Even some open cast mines like limestone, the tyres are subjected to abuse due to sharp rocks.

Our tyres are customised to suit these conditions. In UG mines for example, we recommend our cut resistant variants, where we use special cut resistant tread compound with high reinforcing C black, special cut resistance resin and optimised curing system. The tyre also has a robust, high-denier nylon casing and strong bead to withstand high load in the roughest terrain.

Similarly, tread pattern also plays a role. For example, a dry and rocky terrain would prefer a ?Rock Flash? pattern, as compare to a typical continuous lug ?rock? pattern which is more preferred for wet surface.

What is the extent of acceptance for reinforced, tubeless radial tyres in construction and mining application? What are the new developments in this tyre segment?
Acceptance of All Steel radial tyres is increasing in construction and mining segment although overall radialisation is proving to be slower than many other segments. The large mining segment (tyre size 49? and above) have already moved to All Steel radial tyres, due to:
criticality of application,
better performance of radial tyres as compared to bias
reduced price gap between ultra large bias and radial tyres
lack of availability low cost bias tyres.
Though smaller segment (<35?) still remain largely bias, there is some tendency of using radial tyres for some application like articulated dump trucks. Tipper tyres are another segment where there is an increased tendency to try radial tyres for better mileage and trouble-free service. CEAT?s radial tyre offering is quickly establishing itself in these markets.

What is your take on puncture proof tyres?
This is one area which we have been actively working on and currently at trial stages.

What has been your performance so far in heavy-duty OTRs?
CEAT Tyres has a legacy of trusted partnership since 1958 in India. Performance is evaluated every time a new product is launched in the market. Further, we also have a service partnership where we monitor tyre usage, educate customers on best practices and carry out preventive maintenance. This helps the customers get the best bang for their buck.

CEAT has an unmatched service coverage across the country with close to 140 stocking points and 40 offices. We at CEAT Specialty have a dedicated team of 20 personnel with experience in Sales, Marketing and Service, just looking at the OTR business.

CEAT Specialty keenly engages with OEMs and lead customers to understand the need of the market. This helps us develop products that suit our customer needs.

Tell us about your tyre ranges in heavy-duty class. Do you have any plans for new product introduction?
We have launched a new product in the 13-24 Grader category, called Grader XL Plus, where the market was facing a gap for a heavy duty tyre. Also 29.5-25 TRAC XL for mines and 18.00-25 IND 4.5 tyre for ports. These tyres are available only from two other companies and really are at the forefront of new product development on OTR bias.

More than 10 offerings have been launched to cater to specific customer needs. Our radial portfolio is expanding every month with more sizes and variants being launched.