Waste transfer contractor Shorten Environmental is reporting a 50% reduction in punctures since it changed to Michelin new and Remix tyres across its fleet.
Since completing its tyre trials, the haulier has also begun specifying the tyres as original equipment on its new vehicles – most recently on two Scania R440 6x4 tractor units.
Director Joe Shorten explains that roughly half of the work carried out by its 31-strong fleet of 44-tonne tractor units, and ejector and walking floor trailers is on landfill sites – meaning an increased risk of damage, punctures and hence downtime.
"Since adopting a Michelin policy, our tyre replacement rate has been drastically reduced and productivity has increased, leading to considerable savings," he says.
"Michelin's Remix brand also stood out as something that would reinforce our dedication to reducing our carbon footprint," he adds, acknowledging the fact that each Remix requires less than one third of the raw material needed to make a new tyre.
Shorten is now fitting Michelin's XZY2 new and Remix tyres for front steer axles, XDY3s on drive axles and XZY3 across its trailers – all of which are designed for a mix of on- and off-road driving.
He points to their large, buttressed shoulders, which protect against kerb damage, and the reinforced crown ply, which improves resistance against tread damage.
