TRELLEBORG’S innovative tyre solutions have always been developed in response to the challenges faced by its customers.
So when the need to develop a softer-riding solid OTR tyre than was currently available to the market, Trelleborg developed its innovative Brawler ‘Soft Ride’ compound which built on its predecessor’s formidable attributes of sheer toughness, excellent wear performance and the unique elliptical ‘suspension’ apertures.
The tyre has re-defined what operators can expect in terms of comfort and what machine owners can expect in terms of equipment longevity from their solid tyres.
The machines used by the Australian mining industry are diverse and expensive and the tyres that protect those machines need to be the latest technology.
Whether it’s loaders, skid steer machines, graders, telehandlers or mobile material handlers, the Brawler Soft Ride can provide a cost-effective solution to any mine.
Trelleborg sales director Paul Hansen said it was a product with many diverse applications across many faculties of the mining industry.
“We have even custom-made Brawler tyres for underground machines” he said.
The purpose-designed ‘soft ride’ compound, together with the unique elliptical apertures mean the Brawler is fast becoming a serious option for mining solutions.
In comparison to its predecessor, the unique design of the Brawler HPS Soft Ride significantly reduces vibration to give ride comfort equivalent to a foam/solid filled pneumatic L5 tyre, while delivering the durability and toughness of a solid.
This demonstrates Trelleborg’s commitment to offering radically improved operator comfort as well as extending equipment life.
Mr Hansen said that the tyre has been specifically developed to reduce the stresses associated with equipment that does not have suspension.
“Reduced stress on operators means a better ‘office’ to operate in and reduced stress on equipment means less downtime due to component fatigue and other failures associated with a ‘hard ride’ in a demanding environment,” he said.
By fitting a vibration measuring device to the seats and to the machines, Trelleborg was able to quantify a 35pc reduction in vibration, measured against three ISO standards.
This directly translates to cost savings associated with machine wear-caused vibration, operator efficiency, and a longer tyre life that reduces the need for maintenance and downtime.
Why choose Brawler?
The Brawler comes in two options for most sizes: the HPS is designed to be pressed onto a standard flat-based multi-piece wheel, while the HD is a tyre that has been moulded onto a steel band.
The centreplate is designed to be bolted into the Brawler wheel and then bolted onto the specific machine.
The benefits with HD is that no pressing is required (so there is no downtime whilst wheels are away getting new tyres fitted).
Should machines be changed out due to major machine issues or replacement, the centreplate can be changed to suit the new machine (as long as the original tyre size on both machines was the same).
Mr Hansen said that it all translates into better efficiencies – for both the operator and the machine – and these efficiencies save money.
“The Brawler is easily identified by the elliptical aperture holes in the sidewall,” he said.
“The cushion rubber compound significantly increases deflection and shock absorption, while the elliptical apertures compress into circular apertures; and when combined with the purpose-designed cut resistant tread compound, the result is a solid tyre that is very tough, but much less stiff than its competitors.”
Customers get all the advantages associated with durability for a solid tyre, while also reaping the benefits of a much more comfortable ride, no loss of load index, and an increase in operator efficiency – even at higher operating speeds.
The tyre was rigorously field-tested over a two-year period at various facilities around the globe including Australia, Asia, America and Europe.
Segment manager specialty-mining, waste and recycling at Trelleborg, Ditri Zweistra, said that despite the varying geographies and climates, the response from operators and site manages was always the same: “We don’t want to switch back.”
“Our investment in this process and time spent with customers to understand and solve their key issues is what we at Trelleborg call applications expertise” he said.
“Solid tyres mean no punctures or downtime and maximum uptime for equipment,” he said.
“It is exciting to know that there is a tyre out there that can provide a solution to many problems found on a mine site.
“By having respondents talking direct to us we can tailor a tyre/solution to overcome their issues.”
The Brawler was designed specifically to reduce the vibration associated with solid tyres.
Brawler has been an industry leader in the waste and recycling industries for many years, and Mr Hansen said that it was an exciting time for Trelleborg as the tyre is beginning to gain traction in the mining industry.
Mr Hansen said that the best way to see the difference is to view the Brawler Soft Ride promotional video on YouTube.
Trelleborg Wheel Systems is a leading global supplier of tyres and complete wheels for agricultural and forestry machines, materials handling, construction vehicles and other specialty segments.
The company offers highly specialised solutions to create added value for customers and is partner of the leading Original Equipment Manufacturers.
More information:
Website: www.trelleborg.com.au
Phone: +65 6662 8268
