New Tyre Concept for Semitrailer Tractors in Volume Transport
- Low-profile tires allow optimization of legally permitted overall height
- 355/50 and 315/45 R 22.5 steering and drive axle tires support Integrated Lowliner concept
- High-load-capacity tires provide long service life and optimum fuel Efficiency
Hanover, June 16, 2022. Following the market launch of the new 315/45 R 22.5 drive axle tire Conti EcoPlus HD3 at the start of the year, Continental has now completed its tire offering for Lowliners with the new 355/50 R 22.5 steering axle tire Conti EcoPlus HS3. Together, these two low-profile tires represent a new tire concept for towing vehicles. They enable fleet operators to make optimum use of the maximum 3-meter internal load height of their trailers without exceeding the maximum overall height of four meters permitted by law.
In addition to their high load capacity, these two tires from the Conti EcoPlus family, which are specially designed for long-distance use and regional transportation with frequent use of freeways, also offer maximum service life and high fuel efficiency.
With their low diameters, these two low-profile tires effectively lower the fifth-wheel height of the towing vehicle to ensure that the permitted external height is not exceeded, even when the internal load height is fully utilized. With a diameter of 934 mm, the steering axle tire Conti EcoPlus HS3 355/50 R 22.5 offers a load-carrying capacity of 8 tons. The drive axle tire Conti EcoPlus HD3 315/45 R 22.5, with a diameter of just 852 mm, has an axle load of 11.6 tons in twin fitment. Using the "0° technology" during the construction of the belt allows for high load capacity in the Conti EcoPlus HD3 315/45 R 22.5 and narrower drive axle tire sidewalls are achieved through the use of a special carcass cord. This highly stable but very flexible material enables the carcass to easily withstand localized high bending loads.
The new rubber compound of the Conti EcoPlus HD3 315/45 R 22.5 provides optimum tread wear with low rolling resistance.
A rubber compound optimized for rolling resistance was also developed for the steering axle tire Conti EcoPlus HS3 355/50 R 22.5. A special feature of the tread is its two-layer construction ("cap base concept"). The tread cap, with its own rubber compound, ensures optimal contact with the road surface for long service life. The special rubber compound of the tread base, which does not make contact with the road, reduces the heat generated in the crown providing maximum reduction in rolling resistance.
The newly developed profile design of the tire improves grip in the wet, a result in part of the tightly interlocking micro-sipes between the longitudinal tread grooves. In addition, the "Plus Volume Pattern" of the Conti EcoPlus HS3 355/50 R 22.5 adds extra material to the tread, reducing the width of the longitudinal tread grooves. In turn the low void area of tread in contact with the road increases, simultaneously improving wear resistance.
Like all of Continental's Generation 3 tires, the Conti EcoPlus HS3 355/50 R 22.5 and the Conti EcoPlus HD3 315/45 R 22.5 use a retreadable premium carcass featuring the patented AirKeep® inner liner to prevent gradual loss of inflation pressure.
Regrooving and retreading give tires a longer service life with a lower rolling resistance—directly impacting the cost-effectiveness of the fleet. Regrooving indicators are integrated into the tread of both tires to mark the possible regrooving depth.
ENDS
Press contact
South Africa:
Jiminy Bosman
PR and Communications Manager
BU Replacement EMEA
Continental Tyre SA (Pty) Ltd
Phone: +27 41 406 5640
Mobile: +27 83 656 9172
Email: Jiminyann.bosman@conti.co.za
Contact
Bantu Khwitshana
Phone: +27 (0) 41 406 5111
Email: Bantu.khwitshana@conti.co.za
