Firestone Introduces 2 Higher-Capacity Tires For Specialized Construction Applications
Las Vegas, NV. (March 13, 2008) –Firestone Agricultural Tire Company (FSAG), a division of Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT) today introduced a pair of higher-capacity DuraForce tires – one bias and one radial – with special applications in the construction industry.
“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) (12 Ply) DuraForce™ DT features bias construction specifically designed for skid steer, aerial lift, compact telehandler and backhoe equipment. The Deep Tread (DT) design is intended for use in the most 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 JLGTM G5-18A Super Compact Telehandlers,” Rodgers noted. “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) (Load Index) 157 Radial DuraForce™ RT is a higher-capacity tire that features premium radial construction specifically designed for industrial tractors, backhoe loaders, telehandlers and rough-terrain forklifts. The tire has a load-carrying capacity of 9,100 lbs. @ 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 on Firestone Construction tires visit us on the Web at www.firestoneconstructs.com.
About Firestone Agricultural Tire:
Firestone Agricultural Tire Company (FSAG), a division of Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC, is the largest manufacturer of agricultural tires in North Amercia. FSAG’s Des Moines, Iowa, facility is located in the heart of America’s farm belt and is a leading supplier of the North American original equipment market and supplies about 40 percent of the replacement market with agricultural tires. FSAG also has approximately 50 percent of the market in harvesting and planting machinery. The FSAG testing facility, located in Columbiana, Ohio, is the only facility in the world solely dedicated to the development and testing of agricultural tires. In addition to agricultural tires, FSAG markets and sells forestry, ATV and construction tires.
About Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC:
Nashville, Tenn.-based Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT) is a subsidiary of Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc., whose parent company, Bridgestone Corporation, is the world’s largest tire and rubber company. BFNT develops, manufactures and markets Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand tires. The company is focused on wholesale and original equipment markets, supplying passenger, light truck, commercial vehicle, off the road, motorcycle, agricultural and other tires to its customers in North America.\