We live in a world where we want to connect everything these days. We want to improve safety, save time, money, and even use connectivity to extend the life of our tires. Recently I had an opportunity to visit Continental’s Texas-sized proving ground. What I found—alongside of the thrill of driving a F450 Dually—is the company has solid tires, and a plan for how to keep them connected through an advanced monitoring solution.
Let me back up, in case you want to know a little bit more about Continental. The company offers tires for construction and on/off road use, which are used for vocational applications such as utility trucks, concrete mixers, and dump trucks. The Generation 3 Construction Line is engineered to meet the needs of the jobsite, meaning it offers improved mileage, even wear, minimal stone retention and drilling prevention, maximum retreadability, improved durability, and improved safety.
But let’s get to the good stuff. While I was there I tested those tires not only to see if they lived up to the hype, but also while sitting behind the wheel of the truck as it drove up a stone hill, through a mud pit, and on a gravel packed road, all in an effort to see the new treads and, of course, the connectivity. Here’s the big news: all Generation 3 Construction tires come equipped with TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system) sensors. With this technology, construction professionals can prevent tire damage, improve retreadability by protecting the casing, and reduce breakdowns. The intelligent tires provide accurate, realtime tire pressure and temperature readings.
The numbers also tell an interesting story for Continental. Pre-equipped TPMS Sensor lasts 6 years or 400,000 miles to minimize disruptions. The benefits are clear: the sensor provides true casing temperature, allowing preventative actions that make the tire last longer, while also avoiding valve damage and air leaks by mounting on the inner liner.
The company also showed off the ContiConnect Yard Reader for fleets that want to track performance via a web portal. This allows fleets to be alerted of issues with tires and to keep records of historical data.
Here at Constructech, we have been talking about connectivity on equipment for years, and recognize it provides big value for construction professionals to keep equipment up and running on the jobsite. It was a privilege to see how the technology works firsthand. After spending a full day with the Continental team, it’s obvious this company is committed to safety, and helping fleets avoid serious blow-outs and other roadside issues. Continental’s digital team hinted this is just the beginning for what it has planned for partners and customers for transforming the tire industry and “giving the tire a voice.” Stay tuned, I will certainly keep a close eye on what this company has planned for the very near future.
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