The tyre manufacturer Michelin has introduced a new tyre as part of its Bibload Hard Surface tyres range which was unveiled last year, it says.

The 500/70 R24, a new size that is popular on telehandlers, is designed for working on dry, wet or greasy hard surfaces, it says. This makes it a suitable tyre for farming, it says.

The new tyre also features diamond-shaped tread blocks with seven sides and 12 distinct bevelled edges, Michelin says.

The tyre has an enhanced side-wall protection and a wheel rim stone guard preventing damage to the edges of the rims when working on difficult terrain, it says.

The new telehandler tyre has been developed to provide better traction, stability, comfort, damage resistance and a longer service life than the XMCL model it replaces, the company says.

Michelin says the diamond-shaped tread blocks ensure that whatever the direction of the machine, the tread block is always in the right position for working efficiently.

Alongside it, the new lug tread pattern makes it possible to quickly evacuate any debris that may have got caught in the tread grooves, whilst also providing greater transverse adherence on slippery ground, it says.

Michelin says that the new tread and shoulder blocks improve resistance to wear-and-tear by providing increased rigidity to the tread in the event of lateral forces being applied, while tyre life is extended by increasing the surface area of the tyre in contact with the ground from 29-44%.

Michelin says that it is also extending its Bibload Hard Surface tyres to include the 400/70 R20, ideally suited to compact loaders and backhoe loaders.