12.05.2010

Dunlop to launch crane tyre

Dunlop Off The Road has announced that it is launching an All Terrain crane tyre, the ER50. The new 445/95/R25 177E tyre has been designed and will be produced at Dunlop’s Japanese plant and has been on test in the UK.

Dunlop says that it has developed the new tyre to cope with high speed motorway driving as well as heavy loads, whilst providing good mileage and remaining reliable on long distance journeys.

The company has been working with UK crane rental company Coussens of Bexhill running the tyres on a new Terex AC-120 which is equipped with 27 tonnes of counterweight and frequently runs with 16.5 tonne axle loads.
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The Dunlop ER50 All Terrain crane tyre

Coussens of Bexhill director Paul Coussens, said: “I have been very impressed with the new tyre. Previously we ran our fleet on Michelin however with the recent problems they had occurred with their guarantee promise we made a conscious decision to remove all of the affected tyres. Tubeline of Harlow who specialise in tyres for industrial and small earthmover tyres suggested that we try the new Dunlop ER50.”

“As the Terex AC-120 is our biggest and most demanding crane we felt it was a good test for the tyre. We do a lot of long distance journeys with this bespoke crane and in the past have seen tyre issues such as blow outs with the heavy loads and high speeds.”

“Fitting the ER50 in size 445/95/R25 177E – this is the first time I have seen a tyre perform in this way, the Dunlop is quiet and strong, it is non directional allowing for good mileage and, regardless of the load placed on to the axle the tyre side walls sit straight.”

“We have truly pushed the tyres to their limits and now have a true confidence that the product can cope with the speed and weight we need to exert on them. We carried out a 250 mile journey to Norwich without stopping with absolutely no problems.”

Paul Bould, Dunlop’s earthmover tyre specialist added: “We are pleased that Coussens have been able to test the ER50 for us and prove that the tyre really can cope with high levels of exertion as we had expected. Coussens have been operating for over 70 years and so really know what they are talking about when it comes to cranes, for them to give us such a glowing testimonial is a real honour.”

Vertikal Comment

This is the second manufacturer to enter the crane tyre market, Michelin has caused something of an issue in the UK where STGO rules allow axle weights of up to 16.5 tonnes. Michelin has some sort of problem with this weight given the maximum possible speed of most All Terrain cranes.

Unless Michelin pull something ‘out of the bag’ we could see a permanent change to the Michelin Bridgestone division of the market with both Dunlop and Yokohama taking a share of the cake.

Crane rental companies will be happy to have an alternative while also hoping that the extra competition will drive down prices a little.