Earthmover Tires: Customized Tires for Machinery Operating in Harsh Conditions

Hanover/Munich, April 9, 2019. Whether extracting and hauling raw materials on gravelly, rocky or sandy terrain or transporting building materials on unpaved roads at the construction site: off-the-road tires (OTR) mounted on a variety of construction vehicles and machinery have to cope with difficult ground conditions. Continental has therefore developed the ContiEarth range, a series of OTR tires, each of which is equipped with a thoroughly developed tread pattern tailored for the specific needs and requirements of loaders, dump trucks or dozers used in mining and construction projects. The ContiEarth range consists of two tire lines – the EM-Master and the RDT-Master. 

Articulated dump trucks (ADTs), loaders and dozers are used for transporting large quantities of bulk or aggregate material in extreme conditions ranging from soft and muddy soil to gravelly and rocky terrain on construction or mining sites. Durability, excellent traction, and superior resistance to rock cutting and heat generation are essential for operation in these extreme conditions. Continental’s EM-Master is customized for these specific demands. The tire is available in two versions with different tire tread designs.

The EM-Master E3/L3 features a normal tread depth and wide spacing between the blocks. This results in good self-cleaning characteristics, traction, and manoeuvrability even in soft and muddy terrain. The open tread design offers better cooling characteristics and therefore low heat buildup, resulting in a long service life.

Compared with the E3/L3, the EM-Master E4/L4 features a greater block size with less spacing between the blocks. The tire therefore offers a high level of carcass protection and good cutting resistance, minimizing the risk of punctures and downtimes. The smaller tread block spacing of the five-edged block design results in smooth running and good traction even on hard and rocky surfaces. Due to its deep tread design and high wear volume, the EM-Master E4/L4 also offers an excellent service life.

Both the EM-Master E3/L3 and the E4/L4 are available in sizes 23.5R25, 26.5R25 and 29.5R25. The EM-Master E3/L3 is additionally available in size 20.5R25.

The RDT-Master is designed for rigid dump trucks, which transport heavy loads over long distances in rough terrain. In these severe conditions, tires have to offer high stability and good traction even at high speeds. In addition, the tires need to be extremely resistant to cuts and tears.

The RDT-Master’s special tread design with a deep tread depth and a wide, flat tread radius offers high loading capacity and cutting resistance. The angled tread edges, in addition to the open shoulder design, ensure good self-cleaning capabilities and facilitate high lateral stability, which results in better driving behaviour. Maximum traction is guaranteed even on winding terrain and while driving at high speeds. The RDT-Master is available with a standard compound and a cut-resistant compound designed to withstand sharp rocks and stones in rough terrain.

The RDT-Master E4 is available in sizes 18.00R33, 21.00R33 and 24.00R35.

Both the EM-Master and RDT-Master come with integrated tire sensors shipped from the factory. The sensor constantly monitors the inflation pressure and temperature of the tire and transmits the information in real time to the tire pressure monitoring systems ContiPressureCheck and ContiConnect.