Bridgestone Introduces New Steer, Drive, Trailer Radials
Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire recently introduced three new Bridgestone brand truck tires at BIZCON 8, the company's annual dealer conference in Chicago.
The new tires — one for each axle position — include the R287 steer radial, the M726 EL drive radial and the R195F free-rolling trailer radial.
Each is engineered to offer long haul and long regional haul fleets longer original tire life and lower cost per mile.
The M726 EL drive represents an enhancement of the Bridgestone M726. With a 32/32-inch deep tread, this new "extra-life" version offers irregular wear-fighting innovation and a tougher tread compound. And as one of the deepest drives in the industry, the tire is built to deliver high removal miles, says the company.
The R287 is new, and its combination of proven irregular wear-fighting innovations is familiar to dealers and fleets. The patented Bridgestone Side Groove and Equalizer Rib features combat edge and wavy wear in the shoulder and main ribs.
With advances that include a stiffer tread compound, the even-wearing R287 should prove popular with drivers who typically remove steers because of irregular wear before they are worn out.
Trailer tires built to resist curbing abuse are important to drivers, so the R195F uses sidewall protector ribs to fight scrub damage and enhance retreadability. The R195F's patented Equalizer Rib and Defense Groove features promote even wear and long original tread life.
Phillips Offers Heat Shrink Connector Kits
California-based Phillips Industries has expanded its selection of STA-DRY heat shrink connector kits.
Metal drawers and plastic HSC kits are available in various sizes and product combinations to fit the different requirements of industry maintenance shops.
STA-DRY heat shrink connectors were developed by the company to reduce the out of service hours from a frequent cause of downtime — lighting and electrical problems. The adhesive-lined heat shrink tubing offers a permanent watertight connection, which maintains the integrity of the electrical system and minimizes the introduction of contaminants that can corrode the wire.
The tubing also provides additional tensile strength to hold the wire in place. When fleets use inadequate electrical connectors, the problems recur causing additional downtime.
ConMet Launches Simplex SE Fifth Wheels
ConMet has announced it has re-engineered the Simplex product and has introduced a new name — Simplex SE.
The improvements made to the fifth wheels apply to both the Simplex (formerly known as Simplex Lite) and Simplex II models. They will now be known as Simplex SE and Simplex II SE to better reflect the improvements made to the product in recent years.
This year's enhancements include:
• A new and improved handle design improves driver ergonomics and requires less force to operate
• Updated jaw shape and return spring prevents jaw from closing while bobtailing
• A new eccentric pin design allows for much finer increments of slack adjustment
• A retooled top plate maximizes surface contact and extends product life
In addition to the improvements made to its fifth wheels, ConMet has also introduced a new and improved optional slider. By reducing the slider weight an additional 42 pounds, use of the Simplex SE slider will enable drivers to carry as much as 64 more pounds of cargo than the same truck with a competitor's fifth wheel/slider assembly. Other features include:
• Optimized one-piece saddle casting to reduce weight
• Two-inch adjustment increments
• Dual-tooth lock for improved security
• New in-line air-operated cylinder
• Machined lock interface to reduce slack
ConMet offers additional Simplex SE product options: the air-operated TouchLoc fifth wheel unlocking system and a complete range of stationary mountings, including flat mounting plates, drop-over brackets and bolt-down brackets.
