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Michelin secures tracks technology with Camso acquisition

08-10-2018 | |
Michelin secures tracks technology with Camso acquisition
Michelin secures tracks technology with Camso acquisition

Tyre manufacturer Michelin is to capitalise on the burgeoning use of track systems on agricultural and other off-highway vehicles by acquiring Camso, a specialist in this field.

Michelin’s OTR (off the road) business will be merged with the Canadian group to form a new division based in Quebec.

Jean-Dominique Senard, Chief Executive Officer of the Michelin group, hailed the acquisition as “a wonderful mutual opportunity”.

“Michelin and Camso have many values in common; Michelin will benefit from all of Camso’s skills in the off-the-road mobility markets and Camso from the full range of Michelin’s expertise in the specialty markets,” he said.

Camso market leader in rubber tracks

Camso (named Camoplast until 2015), became a market leader in rubber tracks for farm tractors, harvesters and field implements such as planters after it acquired Caterpillar’s rubber track technology and US plants in 2002.

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Camso’s latest track conversion system for harvesting machinery – the CTS High Speed – can run at up to 37kph (23mph) to a combine running on tyres.

Camso’s latest track conversion system for harvesting machinery – the CTS High Speed – can run at up to 37kph (23mph) to a combine running on tyres.

In 2013, Camso bought the Italian track systems manufacturer Tidue, whose products are supplied to OEMs and for after-market conversions.

Growing use of rubber tracks

Michelin has witnessed growing use of rubber tracks as an alternative to its increasingly advanced traction tyres and will have a foot in both camps through the Camso acquisition, with the prospect of productive cross-fertilisation of technologies as the two companies’ R&D teams work together.

Camso’s latest track conversion system for harvesting machinery – the CTS High Speed – incorporates a final drive unit that enables it to run at up to 37kph (23mph) to match a combine on tyres. It has also worked with US combine rear axle drive manufacturer Mud Hog to develop a track conversion that puts a harvester on four driven tracks.

All John Deere models

The CTS High Speed design is now available on Case IH Axial Flow 140/240 Series, Claas Lexion and New Holland CX5/CX6 combines, as well as Fendt and Massey Ferguson straw-walker combines, and all John Deere models.

Hill
Peter Hill Machinery writer





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