‘Green’ tyres from AirBoss

AirBoss have developed a segmented tyre system that, they claim, can help users and manufacturers of heavy machinery and plant vehicles cut costs, improve efficiency and become more environmentally friendly.

The tyre comprises rubber segments individually bolted to a metal rim, eliminating the need to replace and dispose of the whole tyre because the only parts that need replacing are the worn/damaged segments.

It has been estimated that nearly 100 million tyres scrapped in the last two years have come from heavy machinery and plant vehicles. Pneumatic tyres, in particular, are regularly scrapped before they are fully worn out because puncture frequency reaches an unacceptable level.

Don Gillanders, chief executive officer of AirBoss, said: ‘Disposing of waste tyres, especially the size of those used by off-road vehicles, such as wheel loaders and dumptrucks, is a headache, and it is now illegal to send tyres, either shredded or whole, to landfills for disposal.

‘With AirBoss tyres, vehicle operators will not have to buy new wheels or tyres again – just replacement rubber segments. From an eco-friendly point of view, businesses will be discarding far less rubber than their competitors, and they will be playing a part in reducing the carbon emissions produced by call-out and recovery vehicles.’ Early adopters of the AirBoss tyre include JCB, Bobcat and Caterpillar.