The new Hercules AG-TRAC RT45 “is Hercules’ first step into the ag tire market,” says Marshall Gillespie, director of commercial marketing, proprietary brands, American Tire Distributors Inc. (ATD).
The tire, which is now available to Hercules dealers throughout the United States, comes in 10 SKUs and targets mechanical front wheel drive tractors and other machines.
“Our strategy has been to continue to grow our commercial tire offering,” says Gillespie.
“We’re already in medium truck, industrial and OTR. And we think the timing” for a new Hercules brand ag tire “is perfect. There’s higher demand for ag tires than we’ve ever seen. We wanted to launch this product for that reason.” (ATD also carries other ag tire brands, he notes.)
Gillespie says dealers specifically asked for a Hercules brand ag tire line.
“They demanded this tire from us. We’ll continue to listen to our dealers to see where we can expand in the future. I think there’s going to be enough demand to expand the line if that’s what we decide to do and that’s what our dealers ask for.”
Features of the new Hercules AG-Trac RT45 include mud diffusers, which help free the tire from mud and other debris; multi-angle lugs for enhanced handling and vibration reduction; an optimized footprint to minimize soil compaction; and a 20% deeper tread than “the typical R1” tire for low slip, optimal traction and long service life, according to ATD officials.
ATD is offering members of the Hercules Flex Program “double incentives” to order the tire.
The Flex Program is geared toward commercial products - "OTR, industrial, commercial truck and now ag tires,” says Gillespie.
“We also have put a strong protection policy on this tire. We’re focused on providing value.”
