Bridgestone Americas is unveiling three new off-the-road tires at CONEXPO-CONAGG: the 27.00R49 Bridgestone MasterCore V-Steel M-Traction Deep (VMTD), the 24.00R35 Bridgestone V-Steel Rock Deep Ultra (VRDU), and the Firestone Multi Block T. These products headline the Bridgestone Off-the-Road booth, which features a comprehensive range of premium and intelligent tires for applications including cranes, graders, haulers, and loaders.
Rob Seibert, President, Off the Road, Bridgestone Americas, emphasised, “These three new tires underscore our relentless focus on delivering premium products that help our customers operate more efficiently. Each tire is engineered to deliver optimal performance in the most demanding environments, extending tire life, reducing downtime, and lowering total cost of ownership, helping our customers move more with less.”
The Bridgestone MasterCore VMTD 27.00R49 debuts for 100-ton haul trucks, utilising Bridgestone’s proprietary MasterCore technology. MasterCore technology refers to advanced tire engineering that enhances durability, traction, and longevity through innovations in casing construction and rubber compounds. This technology is designed specifically for challenging surfaces encountered in quarry and mining operations.
TMPH/TKPH stands for Ton-Mile Per Hour/Tonne Kilometre Per Hour, which are industry-standard metrics used to measure tire productivity. They indicate how much load a tire can carry over a certain distance within a given time frame, helping operators assess tire efficiency and suitability for heavy-duty applications.
A three-star rating in tire manufacturing denotes a tire’s ability to handle higher load demands, as defined by industry standards. This rating signifies enhanced strength and durability compared to lower-rated tires, making it suitable for rigorous quarry and mining environments.
Enhanced Performance, Industry Metrics, and Technical Innovations Explained
All percentage improvements in tread depth, tire life, load capacity, and cut resistance mentioned below are based on internal Bridgestone testing conducted in 2023. Where applicable, these figures align with published industry benchmarks or studies.
Key Features of Bridgestone MasterCore VMTD
- +14% Deeper Tread – The MasterCore VMTD’s tread is 14% deeper than the conventional Bridgestone VMTP tire, enhancing performance on difficult terrain.
- +10% Longer Tire Life – Durable sidewalls and narrow tread grooves contribute to 10% longer tire life compared to previous models.
- +10% Load Capacity – MasterCore technology enables a 10% increase in load capacity and a 2% improvement in TMPH/TKPH, supporting greater productivity for each haul.
The MasterCore VMTD tire, featuring a traction-based tread pattern, joins the rock tread pattern of the Bridgestone MasterCore V-Steel Rock Deep Ultra (VRDU), which was launched in summer 2025. The VMTD will be available to fleets from June in four compound options: standard, cut resistance, ultra cut resistance, and heat resistance.
The new three-star VRDU tire in 24.00R35 size, engineered with a rock tread pattern, is designed for rigid dump trucks. Its three-star rating confirms its suitability for higher load requirements as per industry standards. This tire extends the hauling benefits of larger VRDU sizes to quarry applications and is Bridgestone’s second three-star product in the large tire segment.
- +15% TMPH/TKPH – Built for higher load demands, the VRDU features a stronger cord, enhanced casing, and improved tread design, resulting in a 15% increase in TMPH/TKPH compared to its predecessor.
- +8% More Load Capacity – The new casing structure provides over 8% greater load capacity than the two-star Bridgestone VRQP tire.
- Innovative New Pattern – The VRDU features a new tread pattern with slopes and centre grooves, enhancing wear life and reducing heat generation.
The new VRDU size will be available in 2027 and will replace the Bridgestone VRQP tire in the product portfolio.
A New Era of Construction Tires
The Firestone Multi Block T radial tire, designed for articulated dump trucks and wheel loaders, offers higher cut resistance for improved tire life. This tire replaces the Versabuilt AP, marking a new chapter in Firestone’s 125-year legacy of durable and reliable products.
- +10% Cut Resistance – Strategic tie bars, strong steel cords, and advanced compounds provide 10% more cut resistance than the Versabuilt AP tire.
- +10% Tread Depth – The Multi Block T is constructed with 10% deeper tread and a new block design featuring biting edges for increased grip on tough terrain.
- Multi-star and Non-directional Pattern – Designed for versatile applications and easier tire management, supporting reduced operational costs.
The Firestone Multi Block T will be offered in five sizes (17.5R25, 20.5R25, 23.5R25, 26.5R25, and 29.5R25) and will be available in summer 2026.