THE Brawler HPS Soft Ride tyre is Trelleborg’s premium solid OTR tyre, specifically designed for the toughest climates and industries on earth.
The tyre has re-defined what operators can expect in terms of comfort and what owners can expect in terms of equipment longevity when using solid tyres.
The purpose-designed ‘soft ride’ compound, together with the unique elliptical apertures and deep tread layer, mean the Brawler is fast becoming a solution for mining applications around the world.
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 tyre.
This demonstrates Trelleborg’s commitment to offering radically improved operator comfort as well as equipment life, while ensuring the Brawler range maintains its reputation for industry leading performance in the harshest environments.
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 long tyre life that can offer zero need for maintenance and downtime.
Segment manager specialty-mining, waste and recycling at Trelleborg, Ditri Zweistra, said that the company set a lofty goal with the ‘soft ride’ compound – to expand the applications of solid tyres to new industries.
“We challenged ourselves to create a solid tyre that matches the benchmark for comfort achieved by foam-filled pneumatic tyres, but which still performed against all other requirements for tyres in this specialist segment,” he said.
“I am pleased to say that we met – and exceeded – our own expectations.”
The Brawler difference
It all translates into better efficiencies – for both the operator and the machine – and these efficiencies save money.
Sales Director (Australia) Paul Hansen said that the Brawler Soft Ride’s point of difference is Trelleborg’s specifically engineered ‘soft ride’ rubber compound, and its one-of-a-kind elliptical aperture sidewalls.
“While other manufacturers use a round hole that collapses into an elliptical, Trelleborg started with the elliptical hole to form a round hole under load,” he said.
“The elliptical hole allows the aperture to perform at its best under load.”
The cushion rubber compound significantly increases deflection and shock absorption, while the elliptical apertures condense into circular apertures; and when combined with the purpose designed tread compound, the result is a solid tyre that is very tough – with flexibility.
Customers get all the advantages associated with durability for a solid tyre with no loss in load index, while also reaping the benefits of a comfortable ride that can enable an increase in operator efficiency.
The tyre was rigorously field-tested over a two-year period at various facilities around the globe including Australia, Asia, America and Europe.
Mr 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, and is just one of the things that make us industry leaders,” he said.
Mr Hansen said that the ‘soft ride’ was fast becoming the tyre that could offer solutions for mining applications.
“Solid tyres mean no punctures or downtime and maximum uptime for equipment,” he said.
“The HPS series of Brawlers can be fitted to most standard wheels fitted as OE on the equipment.
“The HD series of Brawler can be made to fit a specific machine and then just bolted on – on site.
“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.”
Brawler has been an industry leader in the waste and recycling industries for many years, and Mr Hansen said that it is an exciting time for Trelleborg, as the tyre is beginning to gain traction in the mining industry.
“Now Australian mining companies have the opportunity to capitalise on the benefits of solid tyres, without the vibration stress on their machines or operators,” he said.
“The ‘soft ride’ aspect of the tyre is the real game changer.”
The development of the soft ride compound means that the tyre has found a market for loaders, haul road graders, telehandlers and many other mine site vehicles that would benefit immensely from the added durability and strength of a solid tyre.
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.
Its manufacturing facilities are located in Italy, Latvia, Brazil, Czech Republic, Serbia, Slovenia, China, Sri Lanka and USA.
THE TRELLEBORG ADVANTAGE
- Anti-vibration construction
- Deep tread
- Increased footprint
- Puncture proof
- Damage resistant compound
- Elliptical apertures
- Maximum value
- Maximum uptime
- Enhanced safety
- Reduced impact
More information:
Website: www.trelleborg.com.au
Phone: +65 6662 8268
