BEADLOCK TECHNOLOGY (Information from Hutchinson)

To increase the mobility of a wheeled vehicle operating in soft terrain such as sand, mud or snow, it is necessary to increase the footprint of the tires. This is achieved by the crew decreasing the tires air pressure. For example a 4x4 at low pressure can easily exceed the footprint of an 8x8 at service pressure. This mobility is only achievable if the wheels are equipped with a tire bead locking device.

As a result the vehicle capabilities are enhanced by:

• Increased traction and braking
• Improved steering control
• Minimal chance of rollover caused by the unseating of the tire
• Preventing foreign materials from entering the tire.