Several farm tire manufacturers introduced new products — and in one company’s case, a new farm tire performance monitoring system — at last month’s Agritechnica event. The show, which took place in Hanover, Germany, billed itself as “the world’s leading trade fair for agricultural machinery” and featured exhibitors from more than 50 countries.
Alliance Tire Group displayed its Alliance 398 Multipurpose Tire (MPT), which is rated up to 62 miles per hour on the road and provides low-compaction, high-traction performance in the field.“The J-rated Alliance 398 MPT is designed to enhance the performance of heavy trucks and trailers that are used both in the field and on the road, including manure tanks, feed trucks and trucks used to haul grain,” say Alliance officials. The tire won a silver medal in the Agritechnica Innovation Award program.
Balkrishna Industries Ltd. (BKT) displayed the V-Flexa, its latest-generation flotation tire that has been specifically designed for agricultural trailers. The tire, which features very high flexion technology, “enables the transport of heavy loads with an inflation pressure that is 30% less than that of a standard tire of the same size,” say BKT officials.
It also contains steel belts for enhanced resistance against punctures and impacts and features an all-steel casing to support heavy loads at low pressure levels. The V-Flexa’s extra-large contact area provides optimal weight distribution and helps reduce soil compaction.
Continental AG also spotlighted its very high flexion technology during Agritechnica by displaying its TractorMaster and CombineMaster products. “These tires with (very high flexion) specifications have highly flexible sidewalls, which maintain the tires’ durability and directional stability at a high level in the event of reduced air pressure or high load,” say Continental officials. “This is made possible through an optimized belt and bead geometry.”Global Rubber Industries (Pvt) Ltd. (GRI) showcased its Green XLR F77 and Green XLR 65 Series tires. Designed for heavy-duty trailers, the Green CLR F77 boasts a wide tread width to help minimize soil compaction, while its “premium tread delivers high productivity,” according to GRI officials.
The Green XLR 65 Series, which is designed for tractors, features an optimized lug angle for high levels of traction, an increased number of lugs and a strong casing for extra durability. The tire’s new tie bar design protects against base cracks.
Nokian Tyres plc displayed its new Ground King tire, which company officials believe “brings new opportunities for tractor and machine contracting by combining on-road endurance, traction and grip on soft terrain,” as well as a high load-carrying capacity. “The most distinguishing feature of the new Nokian Ground King is a whole new type of tread pattern, Hybrilug Technology, that provides strong grip on all terrain, including soft surfaces.”Nokian also introduced its digital Intuiti farm tire management system, which combines sensor-equipped smart tires with a mobile application that records tire-generated air pressure and temperature data in real time.” The system will be available next year.
Titan International Inc. displayed its new Goodyear R14 farm tire, which is designed for compact tractors and is suitable “for any job around the farm,” according to Titan officials. The tire’s unique tread pattern is a hybrid of agricultural, industrial and turf designs, which means that compact tractor owners “will no longer need to compromise or choose between three tire designs or change tires for different applications.”
In addition, Titan rolled out a new range of tires under the Goodyear banner. Intended for the European market, the range includes 85, 70, 65 and CL tractor drive radials, plus tires for sprayers, harvesters and even industrial applications. Titan plans to expand the range over the next 18 months. ?
Coming soon: CTIS+ from Trelleborg and Dana Central tire inflation systems (CTIS) are becoming increasingly common in agricultural applications. (This month’s edition of AG Tire Talk, starting on page 52, contains more information.)
Trelleborg Wheel Systems and Dana Inc. have entered the field with a new product, CTIS+, that they unveiled during last month’s Agritechnica event in Hanover, Germany.
CTIS+ will let farmers increase or decrease tire pressure levels from their tractors’ cabins. “According to our latest customer surveys, the adoption rate of CTIS will accelerate over the next three to five years,” says Paolo Pompei, president of Trelleborg Wheel Systems. “By 2025, CTIS solutions will equip one out of three tractors with over 120 horsepower in Europe and North America.”
Trelleborg and Dana say they are working with tractor manufacturers to make CTIS+ available on original equipment tractors by the end of 2020. “The solution also will be available for aftermarket as a retrofit system.”
