Continentals deliver 25% more mileage for Les Smith Haulage
A switch to Continental from another premium brand is delivering significantly increased tyre life for Swindon company, Les Smith Haulage Limited.
Front steer tyres on its fleet of trucks are lasting up to 25% longer, achieving over 100,000 kilometres before being changed. Those on the rear axle are giving up to 400,000 kilometres of life.
The 18 vehicle fleet is made up entirely of Mercedes-Benz Axor two-axle 18 tonners. These typically cover between 80,000 and 100,000 kilometres a year on work throughout the UK which includes both motorway and A road running. A policy of only ever fitting new tyres, correct tyre selection and careful monitoring of tyre condition lie behind the good performance of the Continentals.
Visual checks for signs of damage or under-inflation are part of each driver’s daily routine with any apparent faults immediately reported and rectified. Six-weekly safety inspections carried out by the local Mercedes-Benz dealer, Rygor Commercials, include a check of tread depth and pressures. Further support is provided by Barry Shaddick Tyres from their Swindon depot, including any emergency roadside assistance throughout the UK through other ContiNetwork partners.
Continental’s HSR1 tyre, and now the new generation HSR2, is the choice for front axles. Designed specifically for steer axle, the HSR2 provides precise steering response to help reduce oversteer or understeer, which can add to tyre wear. Even ground pressure from the extra wide contour ensures that wear occurs evenly across the face of the tread resulting in higher mileage. Finally the groove design both reduces the amount of stone retention and contributes to quieter running.
For the rear tyres the Continental HDR+ has historically been the choice, but is now replaced by the HDR2. Designed for regional traffic conditions, this tyre combines an extremely wide and very deep tread pattern and a closed shoulder to ensure high mileage.
The HDR2 also provides good grip in all weather conditions and is designed to cope easily with the high torque outputs of modern trucks.
“There’s no doubt that the key to achieving high tyre mileage starts with choosing a premium tyre like the Continentals that we use,” says Operations Director, Tony Smith. “We only ever fit new and always in pairs. We are also very vigilant in checking our tyres frequently, both through the daily driver checks and at the six-weekly vehicle safety checks. That way we can spot potential problems early and take the necessary action.
“I’m also pleased with the good level of practical advice and technical support we get both from Continental and their local dealer, Barry Shaddick Tyres. This ensures that we only use tyres that are exactly right for the type of vehicles we operate, where we are going to use them on our vehicles, and the conditions in which we operate our trucks.”
Started by Les Smith in 1975, the company is a true family affair, with Les himself still active in the business along with all four of his sons. They operate a modern fleet of curtain-side and boxvan bodied vehicles, currently based on the Mercedes-Benz marquee. General haulage and distribution services are provided covering all of mainland UK.
