BKT's New 57” Giant Tire: EARTHMAX SR 468
EARTHMAX SR 468 - the biggest ever tire made by BKT, has been designed to fit out rigid dump trucks. So far the prototype has been made in the 40.00 R 57 size and is ready to be tested in the coming months by BKT engineers.
The new machinery to make this enormous tire reached the Indian plant in Bhuj last January, just before the pandemic lockdown, and could not be immediately installed. After a temporary shutdown of BKT's manufacturing facilities, which was necessary to implement a rigorous safety plan for all staff, did activities finally return to full operation; including the installation of the new machinery for the 57” tire, with the online help of the manufacturer and the BKT engineers on site.
Says Rajiv Poddar, Joint Managing Director, BKT, “With this giant 57” tire, the prototype of which has been made thanks to the determination of my fellow workers, we wish to send a positive message to the market, to our partner distributors and to our end-users. Our Research and Development into new products continues to evolve, as we find new ways to progress, even in the most complex situations.”
Adds Dilip Vaidya, President & Director of Technology at BKT, “It is a very important moment for us - a giant product has been created - which will now be subject to the most rigorous testing up to the spring of 2021. Once we are absolutely sure that we have achieved the highest possible level of quality and reliability, we will officially launch the new 57” tire.”
A winning feature of the EARTHMAX SR 468 is the special tread design and the compound, created to limit the heat generated. The E-4 depth of the tread provides extreme resistance in highly challenging conditions. Other products in BKT’s EARTHMAX series include a range of radial tires used on off-road vehicles and equipped with an All-Steel structure, which provides greater resistance to the casing and, hence, against damage.
The new machinery to make this enormous tire reached the Indian plant in Bhuj last January, just before the pandemic lockdown, and could not be immediately installed. After a temporary shutdown of BKT's manufacturing facilities, which was necessary to implement a rigorous safety plan for all staff, did activities finally return to full operation; including the installation of the new machinery for the 57” tire, with the online help of the manufacturer and the BKT engineers on site.
Says Rajiv Poddar, Joint Managing Director, BKT, “With this giant 57” tire, the prototype of which has been made thanks to the determination of my fellow workers, we wish to send a positive message to the market, to our partner distributors and to our end-users. Our Research and Development into new products continues to evolve, as we find new ways to progress, even in the most complex situations.”
Adds Dilip Vaidya, President & Director of Technology at BKT, “It is a very important moment for us - a giant product has been created - which will now be subject to the most rigorous testing up to the spring of 2021. Once we are absolutely sure that we have achieved the highest possible level of quality and reliability, we will officially launch the new 57” tire.”
A winning feature of the EARTHMAX SR 468 is the special tread design and the compound, created to limit the heat generated. The E-4 depth of the tread provides extreme resistance in highly challenging conditions. Other products in BKT’s EARTHMAX series include a range of radial tires used on off-road vehicles and equipped with an All-Steel structure, which provides greater resistance to the casing and, hence, against damage.
NBM&CW, December 2020