In designing the new XMCL off-road radial tire, Michelin chose a major shift in construction by replacing the Kevlar crown belts in its predecessors – the XM27 and XM37 – with a steel belt package. Michelin credits the steel crown belts and more heavily reinforced sidewalls with the XMCL’s 46-percent longer life and 10-percent greater puncture resistance compared to the XM27. The new radial is designed in 12 sizes from 18 to 28 inches to fit backhoe loaders, compact wheel loaders and telehandlers – machines that Michelin says are sold with radial tires less than 10 percent of the time. The XMCL will be available as a standard option on all new 2007 Caterpillar backhoe-loaders.