Founded in 1972, Westlake Tire is a Chinese brand, and a subsidiary unit of Tireco Inc. Known for manufacturing affordable and durable tires for passenger vehicles, SUVs, light trucks, and crossovers, Westlake offers a perfect balance of value, performance, and quality through its comprehensive product lineup. The brand produces different types of tires, including all-season, all-terrain, mud-terrain, and commercial vans.

The Westlake EL78 is a great industrial tire developed for skid steer equipment working in muddy conditions. The EL78 features an aggressive industry-standard lug tread pattern to boost handling and traction. Its deep tread enables the tire to deliver consistent performance even as it wears down, while its high ply rating enhances durability and strength. This Westlake tire stands out with exceptional load-bearing capacity and tread life. Thanks to the damage-resistant casing and reinforced sidewalls, it returns higher strength and durability.

So, is it worth going for? Let's try to find an answer in this Westlake EL78 tire review.

Features and Benefits

Industrial tires are designed for heavy machinery and equipment used in construction sites, warehouses, and factories. They are engineered to withstand harsh working conditions like rough terrain, heavy loads, and high pressure. The Westlake EL78 offers buyers the following features and benefits:

• Great load durability: The EL78 offers exceptional durability, thanks to the reinforced bias plies within the internal structure. While the tire can withstand the heavy pressure of loads without deforming under driving pressure, its robust construction ensures safer load handling, which significantly boosts its ability to handle heavy loads in industrial settings.
• Better handling: Featuring an angled lug pattern, the EL78 offers better controllability to operators. The tire improves surface contact as the equipment performs in industrial settings. With the angled lug placement, the tire returns better steering response and stability while driving. The structure remains secure under driving pressure, which makes it suitable for handling challenging terrains.
• Long lifespan: The EL78 significantly improves resistance to damage to prolong its lifespan. The special rubber compound and detailed design on the sidewalls reduce damage to the tread and casing. With strong compound elements, the tread remains secure against tearing, chipping, and cracking. The durable sidewalls and structure protect the tire from external damages like cuts, punctures, and impact damage. The rims remain protected by the sidewalls from accidental damages, which make the driving experience safer.

Pros and Cons

While the EL78 offers several benefits, it has some drawbacks too. Let’s glance over its pros and cons before we sum up this Westlake EL78 tire review.

PROS

• Ideal for skid steer equipment performing in mud and challenging conditions
• Boosts strength and durability with reinforced sidewalls
• Delivers consistent performance with its deep treads even as the tire wears down
• Provides higher strength and durability with a high ply rating, carrying heavier loads
• Enhances handling and traction with its special lug tread pattern

CONS

• It is not backed by a mileage warranty from the manufacturer
• It is not suitable for passenger cars

SimpleTire’s view on Westlake EL78 tires

To sum up, the Westlake EL78 tire (starts around $122) is a great industrial tire developed for skid steer equipment that operates mostly in mud and other challenging conditions. Featuring reinforced sidewalls and a high ply rating, it endures high load capacities without deforming. The EL78 comes with a long tread life, besides offering decent traction and handling in different conditions. However, it does not come with a mileage warranty from the manufacturer. If you are looking for a dependable industrial tire for your skid steer equipment, the Westlake EL78 will be a great choice.

It locks horns with the likes of Samson Skid Steer Sidewinder Mudder XHD (starts around $68). Scoring an average of 8.0 in its overall SimpleScore, the Westlake EL78 marginally outscores the Samson which receives a 7.8. Whether traction or longevity, both tires score an 8.0 in each category, while their durability scores are 8.0 and 7.9 for Westlake and Samson tires, respectively.

Vehicles the Westlake EL78 is a good replacement tire for

The Westlake EL78 will be a good replacement tire option for several industrial equipment and vehicles. Skid steer equipment by Bobcat, John Deere, and Kubota can be fitted with these tires.