New Product Details

FIRESTONE® INTRODUCES RADIAL DURAFORCE AT-R

LAS VEGAS (March 16, 2005) — Bridgestone Firestone Off Road Products Division announced today at CONEXPO-CON/AGG the expansion of the DuraForce™ line of construction tires. The new DuraForce AT-R is a bi-directional radial tire which yields improved traction for the R-4 market serving loader backhoes, telescopic handlers and rough terrain fork lifts.

"In applications where traction is critical in both directions, Duraforce AT-R delivers improved performance and productivity over directional tread designs," said David Ashby, product development manager, Bridgestone Firestone Off Road Products Division. "In some applications, our customers are demanding more reverse traction for improved vehicle productivity and faster cycle times."

The DuraForce AT-R tires were rigorously tested during development to reduce the amount of tire induced vibration to the vehicle.

In addition to superior bi-directional traction and comfort, the Duraforce AT-R tires are designed for greater durability. When developing the DuraForce AT-R, the latest tread design technology was used to reduce the possibility of irregular wear patterns many tires experience.

Additional features of the DuraForce AT-R include: Radial construction for better steering and grip, a larger footprint and better fuel economy Full sidewall protection to resist punctures and downtime Tough tread compound that is resistant to cuts and formulated for long wear The Bridgestone Firestone Off Road Products Division, based in Nashville, Tenn., is a subsidiary of Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT), also located in Nashville. The Off Road Products Division consists of the Firestone Agricultural Tire Division in Des Moines, Iowa; Bridgestone Firestone Off Road Tire Company in Nashville; and the tube division located in Russellville, Ark. The Off Road Products Division builds tires for construction equipment, such as skid steers, backhoe loaders, telescopic handlers and many other types of equipment. The tire is also backed by the largest network of trained and certified dealers in the industry. For more information on the Bridgestone Firestone Off Road Products Division, call 1-800-847-3364 or visit us on the Web at firestoneag.com.