Franken-Schotter GmbH & Co. KG is based in Treuchtlingen-Dietfurt and has been active in the production and delivery of natural stone finished products for over 50 years - from facades, flooring, and stairs to raw slabs, raw blocks, and gravel products.
Challenges for Machines and Tires
The company includes four own quarries and three natural stone plants. However, the steep inclines and challenging ground conditions put a lot of strain on the wheel loaders, dump trucks, and dumpers in the quarries, gravel, and asphalt mixing plants.
"One of the biggest challenges is the unusually steep inclines that our wheel-driven construction machines have to overcome. The long circuits also pose special demands on
the tires of our vehicles," said Martin Scherer, plant manager at Franken-Schotter GmbH & Co. KG.
It was decided to equip 58 of the company's own machines, each with an annual mileage of up to 2,000 hours, with Bridgestone OTR premium tires - for stability, durability, mileage, and load-bearing capacity, according to the information.
"These are ideally suited for our operations in combination with the protection chains used," explains Scherer.
Different profiles are used: The dump trucks on site are equipped with Bridgestone VMTP tires in the size 24.00 R35. They are intended to offer very good traction with an especially deep tread pattern.
The dumpers in the quarry and in the
gravel and asphalt mixing plants are fitted with VLTS tires in the size 33.25 R29. They take care of the transport of limestone blocks and gravel material. The wheel loaders are responsible for loading materials onto trucks and are equipped with VSNL, VSNT, and VSDT tires.
"Each of our OTR premium products brings specific performance features for different vehicles and applications. Special advantages for quarries and mining are enabled by the comprehensive selection of our portfolio for wheel loaders," explains Christoph Frost, Director Commercial Products Bridgestone Central Europe.
Tire Features
According to Frost, for example, the Bridgestone VSDT offers high cut resistance on both the tread and sidewall and consistent traction -
even at 75 percent wear.
The VSNT also scores with deep tread and very good traction. The VSNL, on the other hand, is characterized by its special rock pattern design, high stability, and comfort.
Sustainability and Economic Aspects in Focus
According to their own statements, it is also important for Franken-Schotter GmbH & Co. KG to keep the impact on the environment, biodiversity, and landscape as low as possible. Therefore, they rely on partnerships with the same mission.
According to Scherer, thanks to technological and organizational advances, it is not only possible to have a positive influence on the environmental balance and sustainability of products. At the same time, they contribute to
