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Dec Jan 2004/2005 - The Logging and Sawmilling Journal
Tech Update Off-Road Tires and Accessories
Tech Update Editor: Diane Mettler
ICC
ICC Big Iron forestry tire chains are manufactured in North America from
quality
8622
hardened alloy steel. Big Iron has oversized half links and connecting
rings with large 3⁄4” thick grouser lugs set atop the massive 1 1⁄2” x 11”
diameter rings. Big Iron is available in two model types. Big-Trac (a
multi ring design) is available in 7/8”, 1”, and 1-1/8” tag chain.
Xtra-Trac (a super grip design, pictured above) is available in the same
tag chain diameters as the Big-Trac but comes with 5/8” thick grouser lugs
on the connecting rings.
www.wallingfords.com Reader Service Card 0050
TCR
TCR (Tire Chains Required) has forestry ring chains manufactured from high
carbon alloy steel, heat treated/case hardened for added durability and
strength. Available in various tire sizes, each pair offers 1-1/8”
diameter rings, 5/8” heavy-duty tag chain, along with 9/16” side chain.
www.tirechainsrequired.com
Reader Service Card 0051
Trans-Gesco
Trans-Gesco manufactures the large TG88C forwarder/skidder, designed for
payloads of up to 35 tons and with 160,000 lbs of traction. The challenge
to address the weakest link of its hydrostatic drive system—the tires—has
been met through a unique tire and track combination made specifically for
the TG88C. Robust mining tires equipped with a thick sole are grooved and
filled with permafill or RL solid rubber inserts. The tires effectively
become a solid rubber sprocket wheel available in a wide choice of track
widths, up to 60”. The tracks are much larger than the tires, shielding
them from the hazards of the forest. The overall result is proven 100 per
cent hydrostatic eight-wheel-drive traction with a tire and track
combination offering extremely low ground pressure and high performance
over extreme ground conditions.
www.transgesco.com Reader Service Card 0052
Nova International
Norse off-road traction chains from Nova International Ltd are made from
Scandinavian
boron/nickel-alloy steel and are completely heat-treated after assembly.
The line of chains includes the Special Net which offers constant
traction, tire protection and a smooth ride. The large round studs of the
double diamond or triple diamond double-studded net chain continuously
penetrate the terrain for stability in harsh conditions and are available
in 17/32”, 9/16”, 5/8” and 3/4” sizes. Bull Dozer ring chains offer
oversize components in critical stress areas. The grip cleats are large
and super hard, with sizes including 9/16” 5/8”, 3/4” and 7/8”. The
special net skidder chain is two studs per link. Continuous aggressive
traction and stability are available with Tight-Dozer (3/4”) and
Mega-Dozer (7/8”) chains. The lug rings are close to each other,
protecting the tires and providing a smooth ride. Made of alloy steel and
fully case-hardened and annealed after assembly, Norse chains have been
made in Norway for more than 70 years. The line also includes ATV, truck
and tractor chains as well.
www.novainternationalltd.com Reader Service Card 0053
Firestone
Firestone has adopted cut resistant tread construction on its Forestry
tires, renaming its Forestry Special line to Forestry Special CRC (Cut
Resistant Compound). The new CRC provides a 12 per cent improvement in cut
resistance
and
15 per cent improvement in wear. Firestone has also adopted severe service
construction in two popular sizes: the 30.5L-32 18 ply and 28L-26 16 ply.
These tires feature nine per cent more body ply strength, and 20 per cent
more tread base rubber gauge and sidewall gauge. The higher ply rating
provides 10 per cent more load carrying capacity compared to Firestone’s
Forestry Special CRC tires. Firestone has also introduced the 28L-26 and
30.5L-32 as a tubeless construction. They can be used with a tube, but the
advantages to the tubeless tire include: no wrestling with a tube during
the tire mounting and no pulled tube valves with tire/rim slip or low air
pressure operation. Firestone continues to develop wide Flotation Logger
23 DT tires. The tires have a large footprint compared to conventional
forestry tires, resulting in reduced ground disturbance and soil
compaction. The 76x50.00-32 and 78x45.00-32 sizes are designed to work on
the largest skidders in the industry. All Firestone forestry tires feature
cut resistant sidewall and tread compounds, heavy tread and sidewall
gauges, and steel belted construction to minimize damaging punctures and
cuts. Firestone also sells metric forestry tires for harvesters and
forwarders and off highway tires for wheel loaders.
www.firestoneag.com Reader
Service Card 0054
Primex
Primex reports that loggers across North America are switching to its
LogStomper Forestry Tires due to the superb construction of the tires
along with the large variety of application-specific tires in its lineup.
LogStompers possess a unique
design.
The LogStomper Fx features more lugs per tire, wider lugs than other
forestry tires, and extra side bar protection through its Kevlar
reinforced sidewalls and steel tread piles for tough long-lasting
performance. Compounding, developed over years of experience in the
forest, reduces wear and chunking to deliver the performance expected by
loggers seeking top quality and value. The LogStomper family includes the
widest flotation tires in the world, according to the company, as well as
the best variety of footprints, including both 23-degree (Fx) and
35-degree (SteelFlex) tread bars. LogStompers are available in all popular
North American sizes as well as metric sizes used on the latest European
cut-to-length machines. The LogStomper family includes the LS-2, HF-2,
HF-3 and HF-4. www.primextire.com
Reader Service Card 0055
Galaxy Tire & Wheel
The super traction E/L2+2 Giant Hippo tubeless tires from Galaxy Tire &
Wheel feature twice the tread depth of a normal E-2 or L-2 tire and are
built with “mud breakers” for self-cleaning action. Tread depths offer
excellent traction, the company says, and measure 68/32” on the 23.5x25
and 72/32” on the 26.5x25. Buttressed shoulders provide 21 per cent more
pulling power. Giant Hippo tires suit off-road material handling machines,
articulating dump trucks and loaders in soggy ground conditions. The
Beast, the super severe steel logger LS-2 tires from Galaxy, are
constructed with steel cable from shoulder to shoulder and offer increased
puncture resistance. Buttressed shoulders offer greater sidewall and
shoulder protection, while the buttressed sidewall offers 21 per cent more
pulling power in deep mud, the company says. Other features include a mud
breaking, self-cleaning tread design and rim shield protectors that keep
the edge of the wheel inside the tire, protecting it from damage. The
Constellation Kevlar log skidder LS-2 tires are made with Dupont Kevlar,
the same material used for bulletproof vests. Available in a full range of
sizes, they offer a unique bar angle with superior self-cleaning action
and traction in all conditions.
www.galaxytire.com Reader Service Card 0056
Specialty Tires of America Inc
The American Logger Skidder tire is manufactured in the US by Specialty
Tires of America, which has been manufacturing quality tires since 1915.
Specialty Tires currently manufactures the American Logger tire in
traditional sizes from 23.1-26 to 30.5-32 in an LS-2 design. The American
Logger tire includes the following features: four steel belts underneath
the tread; rim guards to prevent stump penetration; a usable tread depth
of at least 2”; and the bar is 23 degrees and is spaced for easy mud
cleaning and improved traction. The American Logger has been field tested
with rubber that resists tears and chunking. Also offered is a line of
tires for industrial loaders and tractors, which are primarily 24” and 25”
bead diameter. These tires are marketed under the American Contractor
name. That line is offered as G2 Grader/Loader, E3 Rock and R4 Tractor.
Specialty Tires of America is actively seeking new tire additions to serve
the need of the logging industry. The American Logger, American Contractor
and other Specialty Tires products are distributed throughout North
America. Telephone: (724) 349-9010 Reader Service Card 0057
Quadco
Bogie tracks from Quadco Equipment Inc are a unique track system offering
durability and strength. Designed for heavier tired machines performing
cut-to-length or tree-length harvesting, the bogie tracks’ pads come in 4”
or 8” widths,
depending
on carrier weight class. Track models are available for most tires on the
market, with pad sizes ranging from 30” to 54” to match ground conditions.
More pads per track mean shorter, stronger links and less twisting or
warping, as well as ensuring better wear throughout the life of the track.
The pad steel has a high Rockwell rating for long life, and heat-treating
results in more even wear characteristics. For most models, pads are
banana shaped with corners cut to minimize ground and root damage. Maximum
tire protection is achieved by aligning guide links and welded links, the
company says. “Limited drag” design with the links close to the tire’s
outside radius provides for a smoother ride. The bogie tracks are
available in all-season and snow tracks.
www.quadco.com Reader Service Card 0058
Hultdins
ECO-Wheel Tracks provide a wider footprint, lower ground pressure, and
improved flotation with less ground disturbance than standard tires. They
sustain longer
operating
periods in wet conditions, and the smooth cross member design improves
traction with less spin and grab, which is easier on the ground and
machine. The company says that the tracks outperform chains in a number of
ways: they offer longer life than tire chains; are easier to install; and
involve far less maintenance. The ECO-Wheel tracks also raise
productivity, prolong the season, extend tire life and reduce operating
costs. www.hultdins.com Reader
Service Card 0059
BABAC
BABAC traction products, manufactured in Winslow, Maine, are hand-made for
optimum quality control. They are made with 10B21 through-hardened boron
steel alloy, a material that provides more uniform hardness and tensile
strength. Longer wear without breakage, which is commonly associated with
case hardened chains, is the reason BABAC is the largest manufacturer of
forestry chains in North America, says the company. BABAC offers a full
line of tire chain products including single and multiple diamond net
style, with and without U-form studs, and standard and multi-ring models
in single and multiple wide patterns. U-form studs offer superior traction
as compared to studs welded perpendicular to the link. The U-form studs
are welded on the flat/square side of the link and stay upright therefore
offering unsurpassed traction, says the company. New from BABAC are its
Forestry Protection Chains. The extremely tight diamonds coupled with the
famous U-form studs provides the most tire coverage and traction available
in the marketplace today, according to the company. BABAC traction
products are available in 10 mm, 12 mm, 9/16”, 5/8”, or 3⁄4” tag chain, to
fit any tire size.
www.wallingfords.com Reader Service Card 0060
Mattracks
Many industries face the challenge of accessing remote worksites. The
Mattracks rubber track conversion system allows access to off road
worksites and other environmentally sensitive areas with minimal impact,
providing reliable access to complete daily operations. Mattracks provide
a competitive advantage, having been proven capable and are gaining
popularity in many industries that require travel to worksites over
difficult terrain. With Mattracks, it’s possible to get crew, supplies or
maintenance equipment to the job site in the worst conditions. They
provide mobility and traction in mud, sand, snow, swamp and bog, getting
on site when access roads can no longer be traveled by tire-equipped
vehicles. They fit most 4x4 vehicles to 1-1/2 tons and are capable of
traveling up to speeds of 40 mph on hard surfaces. They require about 30
minutes to change between tires and offer ground pressures as low as 1.5
psi. In 2005, Mattracks will offer a track system rated for 20,500 pounds
maximum GVW with its 200 Model Series.
www.mattracks.com Reader Service Card 0061
Pedno
Pedno chains and track have been the choice for professional loggers. They
choose Pedno chains and tracks for the quality—all chains and tracks are
made under ISO 9001 2000 quality control with the best technology
available. They are made of alloy steel combined with a heat treatment
process. Pedno offers the largest choice of chains and tracks on the
market, says the company. From ring chains to diamond chains, from large
to small, from traction tracks to Kombi tracks, from heavy duty to
regular. If Pedno doesn’t have it, they will make it. The company provides
strong support and innovative products to loggers. Loggers are invited to
ask about its double link chains or triple link tracks.
www.pedno.com Reader Service Card
0062
Quebec Traction Chains
All chains from Quebec Traction Chains Ltd undergo a surface hardening
treatment process that increases the carbon and nitrogen content at the
periphery of each treated piece, making the surface more resistant to wear
and breakage, while improving the mechanical characteristics of its
interior, the company says. All chain models are available in a variety of
sizes and are suitable for use in heavy conditions in forestry
applications, performing well in mud, snow and ice. Their wide range of
products are easily viewed on their website. Quebec Traction Chains has a
forestry chain to meet virtually every need, including regular ring
chains, floating ring chains, net link with studs, diamond chains with
bars, net link with bars, Forestrac (flat link chain), super grip, power
chain, and ladder chain.
www.chainestraction.com Reader Service Card 0063
Trygg Tire Chain
(lots of photos on website)
Suitable
for all tire sizes, Trygg tire chains are manufactured from hardened steel
that contains chrome, manganese, nickel and boron. Trygg’s net link chain
is designed solely for off-road use and is suitable for skidders,
forwarders, loaders and other forestry equipment. Case-hardened net links
ensure chain quality, while double studs on top of the vertical links
provide extra
traction.
The Trygg SMT traction chain for forestry vehicles offers a smooth ride
and excellent traction, the company says. Manufactured in 8, 9.5, 11, 13,
16 and 19 mm chain patterns, the SMT chains offer more studs for increased
grip and wear. www.trygg.no Reader
Service Card 0064
Nokian Tyres
Nokian Tyres feature the Skidder and Cut-To-Length forestry tires. The
Skidder boasts a long service life, with increased fuel economy in mind.
It features premium CCR tread compound, customized fit on forestry
machines to pull hard in tough logging service, a 25 degree bar angle
designed for greater traction and continuous cleaning, and high strength
steel belts over strong nylon carcass that resist puncture and impact
breaks and the increased shoulder bolster. It also has standard ply and
heavy-duty ply ratings. With the Cut-To-Length, buyers choose the TRS or
ELS. They feature a refined L-2 design with 35 degree bar angle for
superior fit and support with tracks. Each size is produced in a
size-specified mold, and a premium CCR tread compound is used for long
service life with less snags, cuts and tears. The tires also have taller
lug height on a steel-belted, nylon-reinforced carcass.
www.nokiantires.com Reader
Service Card 0065
Trelleborg Wheel Systems
New metric forestry tires from Trelleborg Wheel Systems Americas Inc are
available in tread designs 422 and 428. Widely used on Scandinavian
cut-to-length equipment, the 422 can go almost anywhere without having to
fit tracks or chains, says the company. And the open tread pattern means
these tires have excellent self-cleaning properties. The 428 has a wide,
open tread pattern and enlarged contact areas, designed for maximum
traction. The reinforced shoulders provide stability and comfort and
create a safer working environment for the driver, not to mention reduced
wear-and-tear on machinery.
www.trelleborg.com Reader Service Card 0066
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