The logo that officially kicks off the BKT tire family specifically tailored for electric vehicles was unveiled just a few weeks ago.

E-READY made its debut at SIMA, where we first saw it imprinted on the AGRIMAXFACTOR tire (BKT’s all-new 70 series designed for tractors), though it will be extended to all products in this category in the future.

E-READY specification represents a breakthrough, the beginning of a path toward delivering solutions suitable for electric mobility. It also aims to underscore BKT’s commitment to sustainability, a goal toward which every responsible business must direct research and investment. By stylizing the new logo, BKT seeks to showcase its aptitude for anticipating market needs through the robustness of its advanced technology.

However, was this breakthrough necessary? How does a tire intended for an electric vehicle differ from a conventional one?

There are many differences. In fact, trials and field tests have revealed that, in order to equip an electric vehicle, designers will have to take into account various factors that characterize electric mobility: weight, engine structure, range, noise.

Electric vehicles weigh more because their batteries may be adding up to 30% extra weight, something that really affects the work of the tire.

Not only are they heavier, they also move differently than vehicles running on natural gas or gasoline: the vehicle immediately hits maximum power when stepping on the accelerator. This means that load shifts can be faster and more intense than in conventional vehicles, with a consequent effect on tire wear.

Energy autonomy also plays a decisive role. If an electric vehicle is designed for energy savings, tires should also be designed not to affect vehicle consumption, such as the case of rolling resistant tires.

Last but not least, manufacturers are investing heavily on research in vehicle/tire consistency, even in terms of noise.

That’s why designing and developing tires suitable for electric mobility takes a specific path that differs from combustion vehicles.

Let’s explore the characteristics of tires designed for electric vehicles in greater detail.

Weights and sizes

As mentioned, electric vehicle tires bear a heavier weight of the vehicle they are equipping, since batteries can increase the weight of a vehicle by as much as 20-30% more than a conventional vehicle. This calls for greater stress resistance and thus a more robust structure, starting with reinforced belts and casing, to a different and specific sidewall and bead design.

Electric motors

A few additional differences that distinguish an electric vehicle tire from a conventional one include the ability to “withstand” higher drive torque, especially at the start. In fact, the electric motor gives more thrust to the mechanical transmission, and thus to the wheels, than a conventional vehicle, resulting in greater acceleration. This means that it is absolutely necessary to revisit the tire’s bead structure to ensure better grip on the rim, especially during acceleration. The tread must also be optimized, both in terms of design and compound.

Electrically powered vehicles have significantly more tire wear than combustion engine vehicles, which is why a different design is needed to ensure an optimal life cycle.

Autonomy

If the tires mounted on an electric vehicle are inadequate, they can cause significant energy losses, since rolling resistance can contribute as much as 20 percent of the vehicle’s energy consumption. In order to adjust the rolling resistance for electric vehicle tires, without compromising any other performance features, it is necessary to adapt the tread compound, tread pattern, and also the particular sidewall structure. The most suitable tire for electric vehicles will therefore be the one that is metaphorically less energy intensive. In other words, one whose advanced structure will not affect the electric vehicle’s range.

Noise

Noise is also something that tire manufacturers are particularly considering for electric vehicles, whose tires should have different tread patterns and compound compositions, both natural and synthetic. Size also significantly contributes to a tire’s quietness.

Thanks to its team of specialized researchers, BKT has developed the best solutions for the electric vehicle market through testing and prototyping. And that’s how the market came to know BKT’s first E-READY tire: AGRIMAXFACTOR, a new product designed for both transportation and tillage operations, full of distinctive and innovative features that make it a masterpiece of technology and aesthetic design. Its high-performance features include a technically improved tread pattern for better rideability and smoother impact on the road.

BKT is now also beginning to invest heavily in the e-mobility tire segment. While the center of gravity of the goals may shift, innovation and a wide range remain the beacons guiding BKT into the future.

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Have you ever wondered what’s written on your OTR tyres? What do those markings signify? It might seem like a code when you first look at it, but it’s no rocket science to decode the same.

These are important attributes that differentiate a tyre from another and help you figure out the size of the tyre, and the environment it is compatible with.

We are here to answer all questions you might have regarding these markings. By the end of this, you will practically know how to read a tyre.

Let’s start with what is a sidewall?

Although the name itself justifies the meaning, let’s understand it a bit further. The sidewall is the portion of the tyre between the rims and the tread.

The sidewall markings can tell you everything you need to know about your tyres. So, in order to find out the best companion for your applications, you must learn to decipher the meaning behind these codes.

Decoding the Tyre

Sectional Width: It is the inflated width of the tyre under reference tyre pressure, excluding any bars, alphabets, or design embossed on the sidewalls. The sectional width is measured after the tyre is properly mounted on the reference rim and inflated at the pressure recommended by the manufacturer. It is denoted by mm/inches.

Tyre Construction: The small hyphen (-) you notice between two digits indicates the tyre construction. Here the hyphen (-) denotes bias tyre construction. Whereas for the radial construction “R” will be mentioned that indicates that tyre is Radial ply.

Nominal Rim Diameter: Outer diameter of bead seat area of rim flange is nominal rim diameter code. It is measured in inches.

Aspect Ratio: Aspect ratio is one hundred times the ratio of the Design Section Height to the Nominal Section Width.

If you want to find a tyre’s aspect ratio, you should look for the number following the slash. The ratio indicates the height of the tyre’s cross-section to its width. A tyre with a higher aspect ratio may compromise handling but will give more comfortable rides. Ascenso Tyres strives to balance the aspect ratio to deliver excellent handling and comfort without compromising the other.

Directional Arrows: Do you see an arrow marking on the sidewall of the tyre? These are directional arrows which are used to indicate the direction in which the tyre should rotate in service in the case of directional type tyres. One must fit the tyre in the right direction; therefore, the direction of rotation of tyre is mentioned on the sidewall through an arrow.

Load Index and Speed Index: LI informs you about the weight a tyre can support when properly inflated. It is strictly advised not to exceed the LI mentioned on the tyre.

The load index is a numeric code that defines the tyre´s maximum loading capacity in kg.

The speed index is a symbol that indicates the maximum speed admitted at the given load index,

Let’s take a look at the tyre to understand the terminology better.

• 18.4 indicates nominal Sectional Width (mm).
• (-) denotes bias tyre construction
• 30 is the nominal rim diameter in (inch).
• Brand name & Logo Unit are also present on the sidewall
• Load index (LI) & Speed Index (SI) is mentioned, along with the direction of rotation of the tyre.
• Tractor Drive Radial (TDB)120 is the pattern name mentioned on the side wall.

This is a guide to help you learn what your tyre sidewall markings mean and how important they are for you as a driver.

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Agricultural equipment plays a vital role in a farmer’s life and finding the ideal tyre for your machinery can seem like a tiresome task. Even a minor mistake can make your machinery less efficient, so there is no scope for anything but the best.

Yokohama Tire’s new 114R^™ is designed for fleet and operators who are looking to maximize tire life in regional haul and spread-axle operations.

The SmartWay^®-verified tire will be available March 1 in the U.S. in six sizes: 11R22.5, 295/75R22.5, 285/75R24.5, 11R24.5, 255/70R22.5 and 275/70R22.5. Yokohama will be displaying the 114R at TMC in booth #827.

“With its high-scrub tread compound and rounded shoulder ribs, the all-new 114R is definitely built to last,” said Tom Clauer, Yokohama’s senior manager of commercial product planning.

Benefits of the 114R include:

— Longer wear is achieved by round shoulder ribs which are specifically designed to resist curb damage and help reduce wear – especially in spread axle applications. Plus, the high-scrub compound is formulated to resist tread cutting and chipping without producing a negative impact on fuel efficiency.

— Increased mileage is attained via the optimized tread depth that delivers maximum fuel efficiency and long-lasting service. Additionally, the sturdy rib design provides flawless tracking and improved fuel efficiency while minimizing tread wear.

— Enhanced durability comes from the funnel-shaped step grooves which prevent stones and other debris from reaching the bottom of the grooves where casing damage can occur.

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Magna Tyres boosts global Footprint with new acquisition

Founded in 2004 and operating in the Gauteng, KZN and Western Cape regions, Tirepoint has established itself as one of the largest tyre dealers & service providers in South Africa.

The company has an exceptionally strong foundation of tyre industry-related experience and adheres to good business practices created to place the customer first.

As an independent, multi-branded organisation with strong supplier relationships, Tirepoint is positioned to consistently provide exactly what clients need.

Michael de Ruijter, President & CEO of Magna Tyres Group stated: “We are excited to welcome Tirepoint to the Magna Tyres Group family. With their expertise and excellent longstanding reputation as well as their ability to satisfy customers with tailor made solutions, Tirepoint is a valuable addition to our global network.

It perfectly fits our joint belief of ‘Customer First’ mentality. With the addition of Tirepoint, our position as largest second tier supplier of Off-The-Road tyres and service provider in the world has been further strengthened. Moreover, it’s a giant step forward in our well executed ‘Buy & Build’ strategy.

With this acquisition, The Magna Tyres Group employs over 700 dedicated employees across the globe. We are well ahead of our ultimate goal to surpass our turnover by € 600 million before 2026. Furthermore, it accelerates our growth on the African continent tremendously.” Financial details of the acquisition cannot be disclosed.

Andrew Cameron, CEO of Tirepoint South Africa states: “As with everything you need to remain relevant, flexible and able to adapt with the times. To this end, we are very excited about the transaction with Magna Tyres and the extra benefits that will become available for our customers. We believe there is good synergy, like-mindedness and an opportunity to grow the business to a new level. We are looking forward to this new chapter in Tirepoint’s life and being a part of Magna Tyres’ success!”

As a highly active and experienced OTR and industrial tyre designer and manufacturer, Magna Tyres has a dedicated reputation in the industry for keeping companies ‘constantly on the move’ by providing the very best tyre solutions so suit their individual operational needs.

Magna Tyres’ ultimate trading priority is to constantly strenghten our position in the global market as the largest second tier supplier of Off-The-Road tyres, incorporating Mining & Earthmoving, Underground Mining, Construction, Port & Terminal, Mobile Crane, Solid and Truck tyres.

We are a family owned company who pride themselves on constantly forming valuable business partnerships around the world backed by a team of highly capable and motivated employees to secure successful ‘exclusivity’ deals.