DAIRY FARM ADOPTS RADIAL TYRE POLICY FOR SKID STEER LOADERS
Stoke-on-Trent – April 11, 2012
A Cornish dairy farm has become one of the first customers in the UK to fit Michelin’s new BibSteel Hard-Surface radial tyres to one of its skid steer loaders.
Previously Graham Kitto, owner of Higher Coombe Farm in Liskeard, used cross-ply tyres on his three Bobcat skid steers, which are used to scrape yards and clear slurry. However, due to the unforgiving working environment which includes running on abrasive surfaces, these tyres rarely lasted more than 300 hours.
The BibSteel Hard-Surface tyres were recommended by local Michelin Exelagri dealer Geoffrey Harris Tyres and are proving such a success that the farm plans to fit all three machines with this ultra-tough rubber once the existing tyres wear out.
Exelagri dealers are uniquely positioned to offer expert tyre advice thanks to stringent entry criteria, which includes providing advanced levels of staff training and offering extensive aftersales support.
Kitto, who is responsible for 350 head of cattle, says: “We work our skid steer loaders very hard, across surfaces which range from uneven concrete to sand – so we’re used to seeing our tyres wear very quickly.
“After 100 hours with the BibSteel Hard-Surface tyres you can hardly see any wear at all and the performance of the tyre is outstanding. My drivers tell me that the machines feel more stable and can manoeuvre more easily in the yards and sheds.”
The Bobcats are also used to put sand in tight cattle cubicles, where there is no room for any other farm machine to manoeuvre. Narrow passages mean that tyres can easily be caught on the cubicle sides, which historically has led to sidewall damage or punctures.
However, thanks to the BibSteel’s steel bracing and reinforced sidewalls, these new Michelin tyres offer outstanding puncture resistance compared with the less-durable cross-ply tyres used on more than 90 per cent of the machines in this market.
Kitto adds: “Our skid steers are amongst the most important machines on our farm –we’d be lost without them – so having the optimum tyres is important.
“Fitting BibSteels has required some additional investment, but as a farmer we are looking for the best overall value. We don’t mind spending a little more up-front if it means we’ll get a better return over the life of the asset.”
Geoffrey Harris Tyres’ company director, Michael Harris, says: “Our team has the knowledge and expertise to recommend tyres which offer the best balance of performance for our customers. It’s what being a Michelin Exelagri dealer is all about.”
Michelin launched the BibSteel Hard-Surface tyres to replace the former Stabil’X XZSL radial fitment. The new range is designed for compact vehicles looking for maximum traction and toughness while working on asphalt and other hard, abrasive surfaces. Michelin also offers the BibSteel All-Terrain, for off-road use.
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MICHA/030/12
Michelin (www.michelin.co.uk)
Dedicated to the improvement of sustainable mobility, Michelin designs, manufactures and sells tyres for every type of vehicle, including aircraft, bicycles, cars, earthmoving machines, farm equipment, trucks and motorcycles. Michelin employs 115,000 people, has sales organisations in more than 170 countries and operates 69 production sites in 18 countries throughout five continents. The Company also publishes travel guides, hotel and restaurant guides, maps and road atlases and offers electronic mobility support services on ViaMichelin.com. Research and development is undertaken in technology centres in Asia, Europe and North America.
For further press information please contact:
Paul Cordle, Michelin Press Office
Tel: 44 (0) 1782 402341 Email: paul-m.cordle@uk.michelin.com
James Keeler, Garnett Keeler PR, Inver House, 37-39 Pound Street, Carshalton, Surrey, SM5 3PG
Tel: 44 (0)20 8647 4467 Fax: 44 (0)20 8544 4711 E-mail: james.keeler@garnettkeeler.com
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