Cooper Tire has expanded its Work Series line of truck tires with the introduction of two new tires in 19.5-inch sizes (225/70R and 245/70R) for Class 4-6 trucks and vans. The Work Series All-Steel Drive (ASD) tire is an open shoulder steel-belted drive tire, while the Work Series All Steel All Position (ASA) tire is an all-position, steel-belted tire, with a less aggressive tread pattern. The tires will be available for order beginning in June.

Additionally, for fleets requiring extra grip and traction, Cooper introduced its Work Series All Weather Drive (AWD) tire for regional fleets. Available for order in June, the Work Series AWD tire comes in three sizes – 295/75R22.5 LR G, 11R22.5 LR H, and 11R24.5 LR H.

To be unveiled at the American Trucking Associations' Technology & Maintenance Council Annual Meeting in Atlanta, the ASA and ASD tires are targeted toward the growing final mile marketplace, where smaller vehicles, requiring 19.5-inch size tires, are used.

According to Schroeder, the new ASD and ASA tires can withstand punishment from constant curbing. They are engineered with an extra strip of rubber on the sidewall – a curb bar – which helps ensure the integrity of the sidewall. The tires also will perform well for vocational trucks such as utility vehicles, bucket trucks, and ambulances. To work well with EMT and ambulance operations, the tires, in size 225/70R, have an N-speed rating – the highest in the industry.

All three tires offer a full replacement value warranty for the first 50% of treadwear.

Work Series ASD

This all steel-belt constructed tire features 18/32 of tread depth in a four-rib, open-shoulder design. Special compounding allows the tire to withstand damage and tread loss from scrubbing, curbing, and rapid starts and stops. For added performance, chevron grooves provide biting edges for excellent traction, while the tire’s 3D zig-zag siping interlocks to provide exceptional wet weather grip.

The ASD tire is Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certified, “meaning, it was engineered and verified to provide outstanding all-weather performance,” said Schroeder.

The tire was designed for long miles to removal, plus is retreadable, thanks to the highly engineered steel belt package.

WORK Series ASA

The Cooper Work Series ASA tire features 17/32 of tread depth in a five-rib pattern. Designed for the steer position, the tire can also be used as a drive tire for those running in operations where extra traction isn’t required.

Like the ASD, the ASA tire has special scrub-resistant compounding and all -teel casing construction for long life. A special curb bar and stone ejectors combine to resist hazards commonly found in urban deliveries, while aisle sipes, near the edge of the tire, help in controlling irregular wear.

The tire also features Cooper’s Wear Square treadwear indicators – squares on the tire’s shoulder ribs that show the tread depth through five different evolving image icons. A “square” shows full tread depth, while an “L” shape shows half the tread is left. An icon also shows when the tire should be pulled for replacement or retreading due to the remaining tread depth.

Since the Wear Square treadwear indicators are placed on both sides of the tire, it’s also an alignment indicator. If the icons don’t match, the tire technician knows there is an alignment problem or uneven tire issue and can take corrective measures.

Work Series AWD

The Cooper Work Series AWD has an open shoulder design with tightly packed center tread blocks that are highly siped. The full-depth 3-D sipes enhance traction, while interlocking to maintain tread stability while cornering.

Featuring 26/32 of tread depth and a wide footprint for long miles to removal, the tire has wide snow groves separating the three inner tread blocks with the outside ribs. This allows snow to pack in the tire, enhancing traction. The tread blocks are staggered and zig-zag to promote optimum traction in all weather conditions, while shoulder pockets provide additional traction “bite” in tough driving conditions.

The tire is also is Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certified.

To ward off irregular wear and enhance performance, the new tire features shoulder tie bars to provide stability to the shoulder ribs, allowing for a good balance of traction and irregular wear resistance. Stone ejectors, located between the tread blocks, help resist stone drilling while helping to maintain casing integrity.

Built around a four steel-belt casing, the Cooper Work Series AWD tire is highly retreadable.