Falken tyres keep CV fleets rolling
Tyre manufacturer Falken has outlined some of the latest developments in its truck and van tyre portfolio.
“Falken’s commercial tyre portfolio has always responded quickly to the ever-changing demands of the specific industry,” said the company.
“Three main factors which may influence such changes and draw the product development team’s efforts and attention are higher load-per-axle capacity, a carcass suitable for re-treading, and climate change.”
The firm’s truck tyre portfolio ranges from steer axle and trailer to low-loader and all-wheel-drive construction vehicle tyres, in a variety of sizes and speed indexes.
“The range is designed to respond to many demands, including, in many cases, a drive for higher-load-per-axle and retreading,” said Falken.
“The former is prompted by vehicle dimension limitations dictated by the law, as well as European charges per axle rather than load, which make enhanced load capacity the ideal solution. The latter is due to the necessity to curb costs wherever possible, and the need for a carcass strong enough to make it suitable for re-treading. This avoids further potential product shortage and delivery issues at the same time.”
The BI 856 is the latest-generation drive axle tyre, said to deliver excellent traction in any weather conditions.
“The new robust casing and wider and square footprint, with 3D sipes installed in tread blocks, will ensure increased mileage performance and safety,” said Falken.
The RI 151 is a steer axle and trailer tyre, featuring an innovative compound for all harsh weather conditions. The pattern includes smart ‘Stone Ejectors’, raised elements that prevent stones from lodging in the tyres.
The Falken RI 128 is tailored for use on truck trailers and low-loaders, it carries the snowflake symbol and the FRT marking.
“Offering high mileage and outstanding regrooving and re-treading capabilities, the RI 128 is an ultra-efficient tyre choice,” the company continued.
Meanwhile, the Falken GI 368 is said to be the ideal choice for steer and trailer applications in industry sectors with high wear and tear. In local transport and on construction sites, its cut-proof compound and reinforced shoulders minimise the risk of damages, says the manufacturer.
Also available is the GI 388, which features: “an open pattern designed for outstanding traction, versatile on all-wheel-drive construction vehicles; rugged and durable, it delivers superb traction on firm and loose terrain alike.”
Like the RI 151, the GI 388 incorporates Stone Ejectors.
Tailored for steer and trailer axles, the GI 378 is said to be ideal for use on construction sites or in local transport.
“Its tough, long-life casing is designed to provide exceptional resistance to mechanical damage,” said Falken.
“The GI 378 delivers high mileage and can be regrooved and re-treaded, like the RI128.”
Falken also highlighted its winter truck tyre, the SI 011.
“The newest generation for ultra-demanding winter conditions features an all-new tread design, innovative 4D-Nano enhanced extreme winter compounds and extra-dense siping. The Falken SI 011 is tailored for steer axles and is a good fit for trailer applications.”
The firm continued: “The drive axle winter tyres (for extremely demanding winter regions) features an all-new Multi Sipe tread design and compounds developed using Falken’s innovative 4D-Nano design technology.
“The result is a tyre with high levels of traction and ultra-short braking distances on snow, ice and slush that notches up high mileage. The Falken SI 021 is specifically designed to provide high mileage and reliable winter performance.”
With global warming having led to milder winter seasons across parts of Europe, Falken contends that the need for winter tyres has been reduced, prompting more customers to opt for its Euroall Season Van11 tyre fitting – not only because of the tyre’s effectiveness across seasons, but also because its use reduces the downtime and costs of swapping or changing tyres.
Said the company: “The newest generation of Falken’s all-season tyres for light commercial vehicles boasts optimised stiffness for directional stability, effective braking distance, high levels of grip and even wear; the oscillating groove and sipe pattern (with groove placement in the mid-pattern area, fixed transverse grooves and a central staggered tread to intensify the compression power applied on snow and mud, facilitating self-cleaning effect) generates reliable traction in snow and mud with high levels of wet grip and improved aquaplaning resistance.”
The Euroall Season Van11 is designed with the help of 4D-Nano technology and is M+S and 3PMSF certified.
Said to be equally effective as a summer tyre, Falken’s Linam Van01 provides durability thanks to its sidewall kerb guard and even wear due to its pattern stiffness and flatter tread profile.
The van range is completed by Falken’s Eurowinter Van01, the winter tyre with densely packed 3D-sipes in differently-angled placement for superior levels of traction power and short braking distances even on snow or ice.
Falken’s future plans include production of lower RRC (Rolling Resistance Coefficient) van tyres, a feature which it says is equally important for ICE and electric commercial vehicles alike.
