JLG Industries, McConnellsburg, Pa., has signed an exclusive agreement with Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, Off Road Tire division to supply Firestone DuraForce MH tires on JLG-, Lull-, and SkyTrak-brand telehandlers.
The two companies worked together for three years to develop the telehandler-specific tires. Before now, telehandlers used grader tires.
Available in two sizes—370/75-28 and 400/75-28—the products were field and internally tested by JLG and Firestone. The low-profile tire design minimizes the opportunity for sidewall damage because the rim edge and tire sidewall are in the same plane. A molded-in wear strip and thicker sidewall material also makes the sidewall less susceptible to damage. A deeper tread, less crown in the middle of the tire tread, and a unique compound provide up to three times more tread life than other tires on the market. The Firestone DuraForce MH also features lower heat buildup.
The self-cleaning tread coupled with low ground-bearing pressure improves traction and optimizes performance in rough-terrain conditions. Fewer tire and rim combinations mean fewer parts to stock and reduced inventory-carrying costs for JLG distribution. The two models replace the 13.00x24, 15.5x25, 14.00x24, and 17.5x25 models, and the tires are uni-directional, meaning purchasing left and right tires are not required.
“JLG and Bridgestone Americas Off Road collaborated to create the Firestone DuraForce MH that will set a new industry standard by increasing tire life up to 300 percent," said Brian Boeckman, JLG Industries global director of product management for telehandlers. “The result is a tire that dramatically improves the cost of ownership for all three telehandler brands.”
On JLG telehandlers, there is a five-year warranty on pneumatic tires, and a two-year warranty on foam-filled tires. The tires will be standard on all JLG telehandlers. According to Bridgestone, these tires are also available for aftermarket purchase for telehandlers other than the JLG brand.
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