Titan Tests New 63-Inch Tire

Quincy, IL - Titan Tire Corporation, a subsidiary of Titan International Inc., began testing its 63-inch tire on the company's newly constructed 24-foot bull wheel this week in Quincy, Illinois.

The first 63-inch tire, built in February 2008, is approximately 13.5 feet tall and weighs approximately 12,500 pounds. Titan will be testing the 63-inch tire on the bull wheel, loaded with up to 500,000 pounds at a speed of up to 45 miles per hour. Titan's new bull wheel is the largest in the world. A much smaller bull wheel can be found at the space agency NASA, where it is used to test tires and handling gear for the space shuttle, though at significantly higher speeds.

Titan's testing will confirm the casing of the tire and its heat characteristics. Ten days of testing is equivalent to a year of field use, and will allow Titan to know how it will perform before used.

"There were many who doubted Titan's ability to produce and test this tire," said Titan Chairman and CEO Maurice M. Taylor Jr. "Never underestimate a small entrepreneurial company. This tire has surpassed all of Titan's expectations."

The following Titan team members contributed to the bull wheel project that was completed in record time: Dan Kayser, Manufacturing Engineering Manager; Todd Fetter, Product Engineer; Rich Sibbing, Product Engineer; Wayne Whittaker, Manufacturing Engineer; Jim Reed, Electronics Technician; Greg Heindselman, Electrical Supervisor; Dave Kuhl, Product Engineering Director; and Dave White, Maintenance Manager.

"We thank this team for all the work they've done, and for bringing the project in under the $8M that was allotted," said Taylor. "When all components are installed, which will happen by the end of May, the new bull wheel will test two giant tires at a time."

SOURCE: Titan International, Inc.