“India’s infra growth is creating a growing need for high-performance solutions.”
An Exclusive Interview with Srinivasu Allaphan, Director – Sales & Marketing, JK Tyre & Industries

What are the key highlights of JK Tyre’s showcase at bauma?
We have launched four new off-the-road (OTR) tyre solutions developed for construction, material handling and mining applications. The new range has been engineered around requirements such as durability, load-carrying capability, traction and operational efficiency under demanding working conditions. 

The launches include the 12.5/80-18 MPT 45 16PR TL for self-loading concrete mixers (SLCMs) and backhoe loaders; the 16/70-20 MPT117 14PR TL for SLCMs and telehandlers; the 18-19.5 MPT117 18PR TL for SLCMs; and the 12.00R20 JDO XD OTR 22PR 156/153F TT for mining tippers. 

What changes in customer requirements are driving the development of these OTR tyres?
India’s infrastructure and industrial growth is creating a growing requirement for reliable and application-specific mobility solutions. Construction and mining equipment operates in demanding environments, so customers are looking for tyres that can support equipment uptime, operating efficiency and consistent performance.

Our approach is therefore to develop products around the requirements of the individual machine and application rather than treating OTR tyres as a single broad category. 

What are the key characteristics of the new MPT 45?
The MPT 45 has been developed primarily for self-loading concrete mixers and backhoe loaders operating across mixed terrain. Its tread pattern is designed to provide traction and stability while supporting even wear. The objective is to deliver consistent machine performance while extending tyre service life across applications where equipment regularly operates on varying surfaces. 

How does the MPT117 address construction and material-handling applications?
The MPT117 is designed for applications requiring a combination of grip, durability and manoeuvrability.
The 16/70-20 MPT117 is suited to self-loading concrete mixers and telehandlers, while the 18-19.5 MPT117 has been introduced specifically for SLCM applications.

Its optimised tread geometry is intended to support manoeuvrability while maintaining grip in challenging working conditions. 

Mining presents a very different operating environment. How has the JDO XD been engineered for these conditions?
Mining tipper applications place significant demands on tyres because of heavy loads and abrasive operating environments. The JDO XD therefore uses a heavy-duty construction and reinforced casing. It has been engineered to improve resistance to cuts, chips and abrasions while supporting load performance in demanding mining conditions.

The objective is to enable fleet operators to maintain productivity while reducing tyre-related interruptions during operations. 
How important are Indian operating conditions when developing OTR products?
They are a major consideration. The new tyres have been developed keeping Indian operating conditions in mind, where equipment may encounter difficult terrain, heavy loads and demanding duty cycles.
Our focus is on durability, load-carrying capability and longer service life. These characteristics are important not only for tyre performance but also for the overall economics of the machine. 

How can tyre technology contribute to reducing the total operating cost of construction equipment?
Tyres have a direct bearing on equipment utilisation and operating efficiency. Improving durability and service life can reduce the frequency of replacement and tyre-related downtime.

Similarly, the tyre has to provide the required traction and load performance for its specific application. Our latest range has therefore been designed with the broader objective of supporting machine performance while helping customers manage operating costs across demanding applications. 

How is JK Tyre expanding its presence in the off-highway segment?
We are strengthening our OTR business across construction, mining and specialised industrial applications. An important part of this strategy is increasing our engagement with OEMs while moving into higher-value and more performance-intensive applications. The development of application-specific products for SLCMs, backhoe loaders, telehandlers and mining tippers is part of that direction. 

What role does R&D play in developing application-specific tyre solutions?
Technology development and validation are important to our broader tyre-development capabilities. JK Tyre’s Raghupati Singhania Centre of Excellence in Mysore houses testing and validation facilities supporting product development.

This capability enables the company to work on tyre technologies around different performance and application requirements as the needs of construction, mining and other OTR segments evolve.

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