Goodyear Rolls Out Revolutionary Two Piece Assembly

AKRON, Ohio, Aug. 6, 2003 -- Joe Gingo doesn't fire off with descriptive words such as "revolutionary" like a loose cannon. For just the third time in his 30-plus years with Goodyear, Gingo, executive vice president, quality systems and chief technical officer, is using the term revolutionary about a new product. That revolution is Goodyear's new Two Piece Assembly.

"I define a revolutionary product as one that changes the consumer's buying habits," says Gingo. "Both the radial tire and the all-season tires were revolutions in the tire industry. Today, Goodyear is introducing another revolutionary product in the Two Piece Assembly."

It's not a tire

Goodyear is initially offering the Two Piece Assembly in a 45R57 size for large haulage trucks. Insiders at Goodyear are quick to clarify that its newest product is not a tire.

"It's a multifaceted assembly meant to solve many of mining's challenges," said Tom Walker, general manager of off-the-road tires. "It offers many benefits such as reduced downtime from tire changeovers, higher payload capabilities, improved traction, handling, stability and ride on haul trucks, not to mention increased productivity and cost per ton savings."

"I would compare it to buying a stereo," said Perry Martenny, team leader for off-the-road tire programs. "You can buy a stereo as an all-in-one unit or buy it a piece at a time. Think of the Two Piece Assembly as a component system."

Like the name suggests, the Two Piece Assembly consists of two separate but vital pieces. The assembly consists of a casing and a treadbelt package. The two pieces have corresponding grooves that interlock during assembly. Once assembled, the two pieces are held together by the air pressure in the inflated assembly.

Benefits are many

Goodyear's Two Piece Assembly provides many favorable benefits to mine operators. No longer does a rock cut mean the end of the life for one of the most expensive types of tires in the industry. With the Two Piece Assembly, mine operators can change out just the damaged tread in a fraction of the time and for a fraction of the cost of removing a complete conventional tire. "Normally, tire changes on a large mining truck can take as much as eight to nine hours," said Walker. "With the Two Piece Assembly, you can change a treadbelt package in a fraction of the time.

"No longer do operators need to destroy an entire tire after damage to just the tread or sidewall. Because the assembly consists of two pieces operators are given the option of replaceable parts. Damage the sidewall with a large rock gouge -- replace just the casing. Damage the tread with a large railroad spike -- replace just the tread. This reduces waste taken to the landfill, which makes the Two Piece Assembly environmentally friendly too, an added bonus."

Storing dozens of huge tires are a thing of the past, as well, added Walker. Replaceable parts and their ability to compact into smaller storage spaces than traditional tires, means only keeping a few treadbelt replacements and even fewer casings on hand.

The Two Piece Assembly also provides intriguing options for the future.

"Mine operators will soon be able to change the treads on their haul trucks based upon conditions. For example, one tread for arid-dry conditions and one for soft-wet conditions," said Walker.

Martenny, who has a Ph.D. in polymer physics, says the Two Piece Assembly's benefits are rooted in its simplicity.

"It's more radial than a radial tire," he said. "The unique, yet simple design prevents outside diameter growth. The footprint is 11 percent greater than a traditional 57-inch off-the-road tire which provides a more uniform pressure distribution and leads to much improved traction."

Because the treadbelt package protrudes beyond the sidewall more than a traditional tire, it provides added protection for the casing as well.

"In a nutshell, the treadbelt package provides uniformity and compound flexibility while the casing design offers a heavy-duty construction, improved bead area durability and reduced sidewall deflection," said Walker.

All of these benefits and features may sound too good to be true. But, after nearly two years of field testing Goodyear is convinced that the Two Piece Assembly will do everything that the company claims, says Walker.

"Our customers who have tested the Two Piece have raved about its performance," said Walker. "Now we are ready to fully launch this new and exciting product to more customers."