Trelleborg Wheel Systems has developed a new solid tire specifically for the waste management and recycling industries. The Brawler HPS Soft Ride will have its global premier at recycling machines and systems trade fair Recycling Aktiv in Karlsruhe, Germany, on April 27 to 29, and a few weeks later its North American debut at WasteExpo in New Orleans, Louisiana, on May 9 to 11.
The re-engineered version of the tire minimizes vibrations, improving operator comfort and extending equipment-life as a result, while still being capable of performing in the harshest environments.
Ditri Zweistra, segment manager for specialty-mining, waste and recycling at Trelleborg, said, “We challenged ourselves to create a solid tire that matches the benchmark for comfort achieved by foam-filled pneumatic tires but which still performed against all other requirements for tires in this specialist segment. I am pleased to say that we met and exceeded our own expectations.”
Featuring a new cushion rubber compound, the tire significantly increases deflection and shock absorption; combined with an ultra-cut resistant tread compound, the Soft Ride is tough but less stiff.
Zweistra added, “Over the winter we undertook an extensive testing program at an independent facility in Treviglio, Italy, measuring performance against three key ISO-standards for comfort and stability. We were delighted when the results confirmed what we believed to be possible: a 35% improvement in comfort compared with the standard solid tires used in this segment. The results mean the Brawler Soft Ride effectively matches the comfort benchmark level of a foam-filled pneumatic tire.
“For customers in waste management we believe firmly that we have the perfect solution with the best-per-hour cost of ownership a tire that is as comfortable as a filled pneumatic tire but with the life performance of a solid tire.”
April 28, 2017
