The Ground Kare tire range for excavator applications has been expanded by Nokian Tyres.
Following the release of the company’s Ground Kare tire for wheeled excavators and backhoe loaders two and a half years ago, the wide block-patterned single tire has proved successful during excavation work. As a result, Nokian has expanded the portfolio with a size 600/50-22.5 for compact excavators and 710/40-22.5 for larger machinery.
Nokian describes its Ground Kare tire range as a good compromise between the extreme stability of a dual tire configuration and the soft soil traction of a wide lug-patterned single tire.
“We were ahead of the market with Ground Kare,” explained Kimmo Kekki, product manager, Nokian Tyres. “We were confident about its impressive specs, but the real value has been proven in the field, in the everyday use.”
The Nokian Ground Kare tire features three main benefits: excellent stability; a larger footprint to minimize soil damage during work; and, when compared with dual tires, the single tire configuration is less prone to stone trapping.
“The tire faces many challenges on the worksite. Ground Kare with its steel fortifications is very resistant against cuts and cracks,” said Kekki. “What’s more, its big contact area makes it extremely wear-resistant as well, both in terms of working hours and mileage.”
Furthermore, with contracting work often involving high-speed road transports, the Ground Kare’s tread pattern delivers a smooth, silent ride, and the large contact area aids in slowing down tire wear due to the even distribution of surface pressure.
“The size 600/50-22.5 is suitable for smaller and compact machines, which benefit from stability and soil-friendly work as well,” concluded Kekki. “The size 710/40-22.5 is for the biggest wheeled excavators that look for extra-large footprint and usability on soft worksites as well.”
In addition to the expansion of its excavator tire range, Nokian Tyres is also aiming to grow sales in North America by 100%.
The company will need to double its sales from two million tires to four million tires in the mid-term and aims to achieve this target by growing three main areas of its business.
These are: building customer relationships in Canada and North America to secure a larger share of the winter tire market; expanding the all-season product range to drive growth; and building a distribution network with wholesale partners in addition to going direct with large retail accounts.
“Our sales team is building on our strong customer relationships to secure a share of the winter tire market,” commented Anna Hyvönen, EVP, Nordics, Vianor and North America, Nokian. “We will maintain our market leader position in Canada and increase our in-store share in the US. The Dayton factory in Tennessee is an investment that has paved the way for Nokian Tyres’ growth.”
