Two new mixed service treads have been added to the European Bandag range, and Bridgestone Europe says both products deliver up to 15% higher milbaneage, along with a lower cost per kilometer, than their predecessor treads, the BDY3 and BZY2. The treads are the Bandag Drive Mixed Service (BDM1) and the Bandag Rib Mixed Service (BRM1), an all-position tire for on/off road use.
Prior to their introduction, both the BDM1 and the BRM1 were tested with 19 European and Middle Eastern fleets, including Belgian environmental services company Veolia, who tested the BDM1 on vehicles belonging to its 150-strong fleet. Evaluating the Bandag tread, Veolia’s fleet & container senior engineer (Operations Division) Jean Verdeyen said, “The BDM1 stands up very well to the difficult driving conditions and demonstrates a nice even wear. I saw very little impact of the doubtless many sharp objects that have crossed path with these tires.”
Bridgestone comments that on/off road operations in industries such as construction and waste are punishing environments for tires, and operators need to combine the best possible mileage and handing on-road with strong traction and resistance to damage on off-road surfaces, which can vary from very soft to harsh and abrasive. New designs and compounds were developed to help the BDM1 and BRM1 meet these objectives, Bridgestone notes. “We used to buy cheap retreads but after evaluation, I found out that this was not the cheapest option,” Verdeyen added. “The price/quality ratio is nowhere near as good as the combination of Bridgestone on steer axle and Bandag on drive axle.” Veolia Belgium reports only two to three tire-related breakdowns per month.
With its directional lug design and deep open shoulder voids, the BDM1 is designed to give today’s high-torque trucks superb traction on all terrains. Large tread blocks and a new compound are intended to provide strong resistance to cuts, chips, tears and scrubbing, while the tread pattern used was developed to eject stones and debris before they can penetrate and cause damage. Bridgestone states the “unique geometry” of the BDM1 actually slows down tread wear and reduces noise level.
The BRM1 is an all-position tire for on/off and city applications. The new design, says Bridgestone, provides a comfortable stable ride, improved handling plus the usual high level of Bandag reliability. “With its slow-wearing compound and high resistance to cuts and penetration, the BRM1 is also engineered for higher mileage and lower cost/km,” states Bridgestone.
Both treads are now available through Bandag dealers across Europe in a range of sizes that Bridgestone says enables all popular casing dimensions to be retreaded. (Tyres & Accessories)
