Continental Tire recently released the CompactMaster AG, a tire designed for telehandlers and skid-steer loaders. It is the first tire of its kind to feature a twisted steel belt and Turtle Shield tread layer.
According to Benjamin Hübner, Continental’s Product Line Manager Agricultural Tires in the Commercial Specialty Tires department, the new CompactMaster AG is reinforced with a more flexible steel wire construction and hard shell to help prevent damages and cuts while offering improved stability for materials handling work.
He went on to add that the tire represents many years of research and development by Continental’s agricultural research and development team based in Lousado, Portugal. The new Turtle Shield layer is found beneath the twisted steel belt and rubber construction to protect the tire shoulder area from damage. The wider lug and tread widths have been specially designed to offer improved traction on different surfaces and to enhance the self-cleaning properties of the tire.
The new CompactMaster AG tire can be used at speeds of up to 50 kilometers per hour (31 mph). Its higher level of tolerance is an indication of the tire’s flexibility and strength. The twisted steel belt allows it to run at higher pressures on the road, enhancing fuel efficiency. It also allows it to run at lower pressures in the field or yard when carrying heavy loads.
Compared to standard agricultural tire patterns, this new tire is a great addition to the company’s lineup of Continental tires. “This lug design further enhances grip and will also contribute to the tire wearing more evenly, which can improve the hours and mileages the tire will deliver,” says Hübner. The tire also has a land-sea (L/S) ratio of 30 percent which means a larger portion of the tire stays in contact with the ground. “This ratio is particularly important for traction in wet and slippery conditions, so we anticipate operators will see a marked benefit by choosing these tires for use on more challenging surfaces,” he adds.