On the move with Semperit tyres
The use of Continental Tyres’ Semperit brand is helping an Ayrshire-based operator move 1.5 million tonnes of coal a year safely and efficiently to local railheads and into the South of England. For nearly three years Semperits have been the tyre of choice for Cumnock-based Tom French & Son.
The company’s fleet, which includes Volvo mid-lift axle artic trucks and three- and four-axle rigids, shift between 6,000 and 7,500 tonnes of coal every day from a local opencast site. Tom French, who started the business 40 years ago, said: ‘Semperit tyres stand up very well to both the extremely hard local work and long-distance jobs that they do. The product performs well in the different operating environments and delivers exceptional mileage, giving us good value for money.’
With around 700 tyres on the trucks and trailers across their fleet, Tom French & Son need a reliable and regular supply, and Semperits are pre-ordered through Hamilton-based R&J Strang Tyre Services, who also provide the company with a nationwide breakdown service through the Independent Tyre Dealer Network.
The Semperit M223 is the choice of tyre for drive axles on the Volvo FH13 artics, as its tread pattern is designed to ensure optimum ground pressure across the entire face of the tread, resulting in good grip and even wear over a high mileage.
Drive axles on the other trucks in the fleet are fitted with the M420 Trans-Steel tyre, which has a solid tread block pattern that ensures good traction in wet conditions. It is suitable for higher-powered trucks that deliver lots of torque.
Meanwhile, the company’s trailers run on the Semperit M277, which is designed for use in construction sites and quarries. The tyre uses low-profile technology and offers good resistance to stone damage and punctures.
