Firestone Agricultural Tire Company (FSAG), a division of Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, Nashville, Tenn., introduced a pair of higher capacity DuraForce tires • one bias and one radial • with special applications in the construction industry. The tires were introduced at ConExpo earlier this month.
“Both of these tires meet specific needs in the construction industry,” said Tom Rodgers, marketing manager for FSAG. “With higher load capacities than the tires they replace, these new tires are a response to the construction industry's diverse tire requirements.”
The new Firestone 12-16.5 (305/70D16.5) DuraForce DT features bias construction specifically designed for aerial lifts, compact telehandlers and backhoe equipment. The Deep Tread (DT) design is intended for use in demanding conditions.
“This 12-ply tire has a load-carrying capacity of 6,320 pounds at 80 psi inflation and will be the original equipment fitment on the 2008 JLG G5-18A Super Compact telehandlers,” Rodgers said. “It offers 13 percent more load-carrying capacity than Firestone's standard 10-ply tire.”
Deep, extra-wide buttressed tread lugs made of cut-resistant compounds, deliver superior wear and value. The DuraForce DT contains 25 percent more tread depth than the popular DuraForce HD for extended wear and reduced operational costs.
Additional construction features include heavy-duty sidewall and large curb rib for more stability and puncture resistance, and an aggressive rim deflector to help protect the rim from damage.
The Firestone 500/70R24 (19.5LR24) 157 Radial DuraForce RT is a higher capacity tire that features premium radial construction specifically designed for telehandlers and rough-terrain forklifts, industrial tractors, and backhoe loaders. The tire has a load-carrying capacity of 9,100 pounds at 46 psi inflation. Rodgers said the 500/70R24 DuraForce RT 157 Load Index tire has a noise treated tread design to help improve ride comfort and help minimize noise disturbance and vibration in cab-equipped vehicles.
“This new tire also has an aggressive tread design for increased traction and greater push/pull,” he added. “Compared with our standard tire, the Firestone Radial All Traction Utility, the Radial DuraForce RT is designed to improve forward and reverse traction. Tread elements are designed to resist irregular tread wear.” Compared to bias tires, radial construction provides extra traction for faster cycle times, improved wear and lower rolling resistance for better fuel efficiency • all to help reduce operational costs, Rodgers added.
For more information, visit www.firestoneconstructs.com.
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