The new Galaxy Hippo all-steel radial from Yokohama Off-Highway Tires America, — introduced to the construction and paving industry
at the CONEXPO/CONAGG trade show in Las Vegas, Nevada — pushes traction to a whole new level for bucket loaders. The high-traction pattern is ideal for loaders working in dirt on construction sites, or on farms and dairies.

“We think of rock tread for most loaders, but many of those machines are working in dirt, whether it’s on construction jobs, demolition sites, or on farms. The new Galaxy Hippo all-steel radial brings a dirt tread to the category to deliver the extra traction many loader operators need,”

says Dhananjay Bisht, National Product Manager—Earthmoving, Construction and Industrial Tires for Yokohama Off-Highway Tires America.

Bisht uses farms as an example of an ideal application for the high-traction Hippo radial.

“On dairy farms and other livestock operations, loaders are used to build silage piles, pack
silage, pick up manure, load scales or do dirt work, so farm loaders need reliable grip in any conditions. And we see similar challenges on many construction sites where loaders are in more of an earthmover environment,”

he notes.

The new Galaxy Hippo all-steel radial pushes traction to the next level for bucket loaders. Deep, variable-angle lugs and aggressive shoulders maximize grab, while curved lug noses overlap at the center for smooth stable roading. Radial construction creates a footprint 6% larger than the bias-ply Hippo for more traction and stability, slower wear, and longer service life.

Variable-Angle Lug
The new Galaxy Hippo all-steel radial delivers better stability under load as a result of its deep, variable-angle lug, Bisht notes, as well as top performance on mud, vegetation and pavement. The lugs on the Hippo radial are thicker than those on the bias-ply Hippo, adding durability and roadability.

Along the outer part of the tread, the lugs are almost perpendicular for maximum traction, and feature aggressive, buttressed shoulders that add extra grab. Toward the center, the lugs curve to form a steeply angled overlap for steady roading and reduced wear at up to 25 mph.

Yokohama Off-Highway Tires design team also extended and widened the nose of each lug to produce a smoother, more stable ride and reduce scrub wear while running on hard surfaces.

All-Steel Radial
The new Hippo radial features a new, improved cut-and-chip-resistant compound with excellent wear resistance on pavement. Bisht adds that, below the tread, steel radial belts provide puncture protection and create a larger, flatter footprint to boost traction, flotation and tire life.

He explains that the flatter footprint and tire cavity are a result of radial construction. The radial version of the Galaxy Hippo has a footprint 6% larger than the bias version of the tire in the same size. The flat, even footprint puts more rubber in contact with the ground, improving traction and slowing wear.

The long service life and tough construction of the new Galaxy Hippo all-steel radial is reflected in its 5-year warranty.

Yokohama Off-Highway Tires has released the Galaxy Hippo all-steel radial in the popular 20.5R25 and 23.5R25 sizes, engineered to fit on existing rims while providing a larger footprint.

Also in the Yokohama Off-Highway Tires booth:

The Galaxy Giraffe ND For Telehandlers
The Galaxy Giraffe ND is purpose-built for telehandlers with a range of features to enhance
stability, from the wide footprint to the huge center blocks of the non-directional tread pattern.
The ND tread also reduces wear and improves handling on hard surfaces, while open shoulders add grip in dirt and sand.

The Galaxy Mighty Trac ND—The Skid Steer Multi-Surface Master
All seasons, all surfaces, all challenges—the Galaxy Mighty Trac ND skid steer and backhoe tire is all that and more. Siped tread blocks and stepped shoulder lugs provide hundreds of biting edges for great traction while the Mighty Trac ND’s 52:48 solid-to-void ratio ensure a smooth ride and slow wear on pavement, sand, and snow. The versatility of the Mighty Trac ND has made it a top choice for rental and municipal fleets—and for any skid steer or backhoe owner facing new challenges every day.