New Falken truck tyres have been released by Sumitomo Rubber Australia (SRAU). The Falken truck tyre update includes a selection of large and small/medium truck tyres for highway regional/interstate and mixed on/off road applications.
“We’re excited to be reintroducing ourselves to the Australian trucking industry with no less than 24 truck tyres changes – and we have more in the pipeline,” announced Ken Furuhama, Managing Director of SRAU.
Mick Small, SRAU’s Technical Service Manager, is pleased about the new products; “Whilst we designed the new products with abrasive Australian roads in mind, the take-up of some products has been impressive, with BI850 being the standout. Tipper/dog and livestock operators have quickly adopted it, with great results coming from the 22.2mm deep open traction pattern and mild cut/chip resistant compound.”
To further validate the new tyre range, SRAU has conducted extensive testing in Australian conditions with fleets. “Falken and Sumitomo tyres have always performed well in our tipper and dog operations. We have been running the new Falken BI850 drive tyre for over six months now. Basically, they’ve become the standard fitment for all of our PBS combinations,” explained Paul Gates of Illawara,NSW-based Gates Haulage.
Mount Gambier-based Raymond Scott Transport are also very pleased with the results Falken tyres have been producing, as explained by Managing Director Ray Scott; “The Falken RI128 super single steer gets much better life, with a sharper price point, so it is much more competitive than the major brands we’ve run in the past. What’s most impressive is that all Falken truck tyres are made in Japan, so you’re buying top quality.”
Key New Products
Highway Regional/ Interstate
For steer (all position) fitment, two new patterns are offered:
• RI151 in six sizes – 295/80R22.5, 265/70R19.5, 225/70R19.5, 235/75R17.5, 215/75R17.5 and 205/75R17.5.
• RI150 in size 255/70R22.5 suits medium trucks and drop deck trailers.
Drive Tyre Fitments
• BI851 drive tyre has two pattern designs and four sizes:
o 295/80R22.5 line-haul drive has a six block pattern;
o While the narrower 205/75R17.5 & 215/75R17.5 delivery truck sizes and 235/75R17.5 have a five block pattern.
• BI850 deep traction drive tyre has been introduced in the most common 11R22.5 size.
• BI877 is a four block traction design for popular mid-sized trucks running tyre size 225/70R19.5.
Mixed On/Off Road
Further expanding Falken truck tyres coverage in construction and mining applications, new mixed service and off road tyres are now available. The GI388 is an all position tyre, suitable for steer, drive and trailer, with deep cut resistant tread and offered in sizes 315/80R22.5 and 11R22.5.
