A desert tyre becomes a snow tyre

The first Alptrak, released ten years ago, was designed with a unique tread pattern for exceptional traction on turf and other terrain. Back then, nobody had foreseen that this pattern would be later tested for the Saudi Arabian market, together with STARCO’s key customer Avant Tecno. Both jointly developed the Alptrak for desert use.

“Our machines are initially not designed for sandy conditions like in Saudi Arabia. However, we have learned that by adjusting the wheel and tyre solution, we can make our multipurpose loaders perform just as well in sandy conditions, as they do in snow, mud or on dry surfaces,” explains Raul Tsili, Purchasing Manager at Avant Tecno.

Finnish Avant Tecno specialises in loaders and attachments. The company is market-leading in their field and has a production location in Finland, sales offices in Germany, UK and US and import partners in more than 55 countries.

The new Alptrak sizes have recently been tested for snowy and field conditions. During the development phase, new opportunities arose.
“Alptrak is a great example of a tyre, in which the features and performance change, when the dimensions are changed, and the pattern style remains the same,” explains Brian Lorentzen, Marketing Director with 15 years of experience in the tyre business.

Alptrak has always been known for a very reliable, all-round performance in the toughest operating conditions.

STARCO has supplied Avant Tecno since 2011 for their entire loader range and both companies recently signed a three-year contract. The joint development and testing of the new Alptrak solutions takes the partnership to the next level.

“We are very, very satisfied with the collaboration. It works well for us, that STARCO has their warehouse close to our factory in Finland and delivers just-in-time to our production line,” says Tsili.

During winter and spring Avant Tecno have been testing two solutions for snow. Results were very positive.

“We have been testing in snow together with two customers, who were very satisfied with the results,” says Tsili.
Good grip enables less working time, emissions and fuel consumption when cleaning the snow. Both parties look forward to seeing further test results.

STARCO Alptrak

The low-profile design gives first class lateral steering control, combined with low ground bearing pressure. The heavily braced tread is reinforced to provide a very even footprint and exemplary vehicle stability in all conditions. The tough carcass construction greatly increases the resistance to impacts, providing a very reliable, all-round performance in the toughest operating conditions.