Page 24 - CTB n6 - 2014-02
P. 24
Bandag FuelTech:
The New Fuel-Smart Retreads
Fuel and personnel are the biggest expenses in transport operations, each accounting for about 30% of the total fleet costs. Tyres influence fuel consumption significantly: of all variable factors that can affect the fuel consumption of a vehicle, about one third is related to the tyres’ rolling resistance. What’s more,
the tread of the tyre is responsible for around 45% of
the tyre rolling resistance (and
retreads deliver excellent fuel efficiency and eco-friendly benefits, without compromising tyre life, durability and wet- weather performance.
FuelTech designs are based on Bridgestone’s successful ECOPIA truck tyre range, which is Bridgestone’s flagship line of fuel-efficient truck tyres.
Two Bandag FuelTech products will be
thus fuel
consumption).
So making the
right tyre
choice and
opting for low
rolling
resistance
treads is an
important
business
decision.
With FuelTech,
Bandag says it has
formulated the perfect answer to a fleet's cost challenges: a new tread line that combines minimal rolling resistance with long tyre life.
“FuelTech retreads give fleet operators a double
advantage: fuel
consumption
savings plus lower
Total Tyre Life
costs with the
ecological
benefits of
retreading” says
Harald Van
Ooteghem,
Senior Manager
Marketing
Planning,
Bridgestone
Europe.
Indeed, Bandag
retreads are claimed
to deliver on
average 30% lower
cost per kilometre
than new tyres, and require about 70% less raw materials to manufacture than new tyres, drastically reducing CO2 emissions during production. Using advanced tread compounds and innovative tread design, Bandag FuelTech
available as from October:
• Drive tread M749 FuelTech,
featuring all- season safe M+S design and speed index M. • Trailer tread R109 FuelTech, featuring the
typical Bandag mini-wing design
which provides a great finished product appearance that’s virtually indistinguishable
Trailer tread R109 FuelTech
from a new tyre, a low noise design and speed index J. FuelTech treads are designed for a perfect fit with Bridgestone and other premium brand casings. They are available in
size line-ups which allow the most common casing sizes used
Drive tread M749 FuelTech
within this segment to be
retreaded.
To maximize the fuel saving effect, Bandag recommends the use of Bridgestone ECOPIA
casings, as the complete casing
structure contributes to
about 55% of the tyre's rolling resistance. Together, says the company,
Bridgestone ECOPIA new tyres and Bandag FuelTech retreads provide a lower total cost of ownership over the entire life of the tyres.
