Biglorryblog on how an Ex-Belgian Moggie got a fresh lease of life with new rubber boots!

The word on the street is that Morghew Park Estate is benefiting from a new tyre fitment policy across three of the primary off-road vehicles it uses to support its commercial shooting, which takes place around a 2,000 acre Estate in Tenterden, Kent. (Tenterden? Why that's just down the road from me...)

According to young Mr Keeler it seems "The change in tyre choice was taken following close consultation with ATS Euromaster, with the primary aim of increasing off-road traction and handling to ensure the Morghew Shoot fleet was better suited to cope with local terrain, which is comprised largely of Wealden upland, which descends steeply in places onto classic unspoilt marshland." ...Or as I know only too well claggy clay and binding bog!

And the Moggie connection? Well the 404S ex-Belgian army machine was one of the first to get new Michelin 280/80 R18 MXCL boots - not least as it's the primary shoot transport. Apparently it was previously running on an ageing set of Russian tyres which were not providing the necessary grip to enable the driver to make proper use of the simultaneous front and rear diff locks. And quite right too - what's the point of having a go-anywhere machine like a Unimog if you can't go anywhere in it?

Piers Carey, Farm Manager on the Morghew Park Estate, explains to BLB: "When the terrain got challenging, the tyres on the Unimog just weren't up to the job. ATS Euromaster advised us to fit Michelin MXCL's and they have transformed the Unimog into a transporter which can tackle the steepest and muddiest terrain we encounter."

Also benefiting from a new set of rubber is an ex-British Army Series 3 Land Rover, which is used exclusively by the Gamekeeper during the shooting season and was previously fitted with a narrow set of tyres which were chewing up the land. "I found a spare extra-wide wheel rim on the farm and asked ATS Euromaster to investigate whether it would fit the Land Rover. We found that it did, and would be ideally suited to a set of Mitas 31/10.50x15 Treadlight tyres, to give the Land Rover a true 'go-anywhere' capability" adds Piers.

"ATS Euromaster had three other wheels made up to fit the tyres, and the Land Rover has got a new lease of life. The larger footprint keeps the vehicle on top of the mud and stops it digging in. Not only does this mean it never gets stuck, it has also virtually eliminated any vehicle tracks being left on the landscape."

Completing the trio of tyre changes has been the fitment of a new set of Michelin 400/80 R24 Power CL tyres onto the farm's Matbro loader, replacing a set of budget tyres on the second-hand vehicle, which had failed to provide sufficient off-road grip and which had been prone to regular punctures. Not any more...