GREENVILLE, S.C., April 25, 2023 — Michelin is introducing globally the 70/70R57 MICHELIN® X MINE® L4** tire, its newest offer in earthmover tires for the Komatsu WE2350/P&H L2350 large wheel loader used in surface mining.
The 70/70R57 MICHELIN X MINE L4** radial tire delivers improved mobility and productivity thanks to three times the tramming speed of the competitor tire.2 It also does not require chain fitments on the rear axle due to its robust radial design, resulting in reduced tread wear, an optimized and even footprint, less deformation of the contact patch on the ground, and an overall life expectancy increase of 50% or more.3
“As part of our Michelin Better Mining approach, we strive to provide the mining industry with innovative solutions that add significant value for our customer operations,” said Adam Murphy, Senior Vice President for Michelin Mining. “The new 70/70R57 MICHELIN X MINE L4** tire builds on our history of innovation with the first radial tire for the world’s largest wheel loader, providing a step-change in the mines’ productivity, while also contributing to their safety and sustainability.”
The 70/70R57 MICHELIN X MINE L4** tire is designed to run cooler than the competition, thanks to its radial construction and compounds that keep the tire at an optimal temperature at greater speeds, maintaining a temperature difference of 10° (Celsius) cooler on the front axle vs. the competition in similar conditions.4 It also offers excellent protection and wear resistance due to the steel cables in the tire, giving the tire a robust architecture and outstanding endurance under the harshest mining conditions.
The 70/70R57 MICHELIN X MINE L4** tire is engineered to meet traction performance standards on both wet and dry surfaces. The tire is also ready for use with the MEMS® tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), so that mine operations can improve uptime and experience seamless connectivity. Designed to be safe, smart and more sustainable, the 70/70R57 MICHELIN X MINE L4** tire is ready to tackle the most rugged environments.
“The Carajas mine is a very large geographic area. Strategically, we need to be able to move these machines around according to the daily production schedule,” said Frederico Sa, Carajas Mine Tire Manager, Brazil, who tested the 70/70R57 MICHELIN X MINE tires on their site. “Radial tires improve mobility so we can work more and have more options and better mobility with our machines onsite. This benefit will be captured according to our production strategy.”
For more information, go to michelinmedia.com.
About Michelin North America, Inc.
Michelin, the leading mobility company, is working with tires, around tires and beyond tires to enable Motion for Life. Dedicated to enhancing its clients’ mobility and sustainability, Michelin designs and distributes the most suitable tires, services and solutions for its customers’ needs. Michelin provides digital services, maps and guides to help enrich travels and make them unique experiences. Bringing its expertise to new markets, the company is investing in high-technology materials, 3D printing and hydrogen, to serve a wide variety of industries—from aerospace to biotech. Headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina, Michelin North America has approximately 23,000 employees and operates 34 production facilities in the United States and Canada. (michelinman.com)
For more information, contact:
David Finleyson
B2B Public Relations Manager
david.finleyson@michelin.com
[1]Tramming is the movement of an empty machine from one working location to a different one on the mine site.
2 Based on the Firestone® Technical Bulletin reference number BATO-OTR-TB-002-160719, using Ambient 38° C and greater than (>) 5km tramming distance for the 70/70-57 Firestone® SRG DT LD L4 bias ply tire at 4 km/hr. compared to the 70/70R57 MICHELIN® X MINE® L4 ** tire which demonstrated three times the tramming speed at 12 km/hr. Actual results may vary.
3Based on field engineering reports on wear rate of the 70/70R57 MICHELIN® X MINE® L4 ** tires versus the 70/70-57 Firestone® SRG DT LD L4 bias ply tires in comparable working conditions. Actual results may vary.
4 Based on customer data from tire pressure monitoring systems measuring the internal air chamber temperature of the 70/70R57 MICHELIN® X MINE® L4 ** tire and the 70/70-57 Firestone® SRG DT LD L4 bias tire where vehicles had equivalent tramming distance and operated under the same conditions. Actual results may vary.