Positive field tests by the PneuTrac concept by Mitas a.s. have led the tire maker to target a launch of PneuTrac tires and tracks by the end of 2017.
"The footprint and traction force of Mitas PneuTrac and rubber tracks are superior to those of traditional pneumatic tires. The next step is to compare PneuTrac and rubber tracks and see how close they will come,” says Andrew Mabin, sales and marketing director for Mitas. “We are getting closer to a clearer release date being available. Our goal is to launch PneuTrac in roughly two years.”
The company will do its comparison tests in 2016.
Mitas is conducting field tests in the Czech Republic with a John Deere 6150R tractor mounted with 480/65 R28 PneuTrac on the front axle and 600/65 R38 PneuTrac on the rear. The results show the traction force of Mitas 600/65 R38 PneuTrac is approximately 25% higher than a standard tire and, compared with an IF-rated tire, PneuTrac delivers approximately 15% better traction. Taking a closer look at the 480/65 R28 PneuTrac, it has approximately a 10% advantage in traction force over a standard tire and about 7% over the IF tire.
“The results of the first field tests that are under way in the Czech Republic give us a good feel for continuing the successful development of the Mitas PneuTrac concept,” says Mabin.
The slippage and traction force is measured under several modes of driving, and the result is the evaluation of traction force under the slippage that normally occurs during regular farm work (about 15%). The results are based on measurements conducted on July 22, 2015. Measurements are done by Research Institute of Agricultural Engineering, p.r.i.
“The field tests have so far demonstrated the clear advantages of PneuTrac over conventional tire designs and confirmed previously-released lab test results," says Mabin. "The most important PneuTrac benefits are a larger footprint, greater tractive force and also higher lateral stability at a lower inflation pressure when compared with the standard tire."
Mitas is developing its PneuTrac concept with Galileo Wheel Ltd.
