Tyres can make a critical difference to in-field performance as well as soil health, but not all tyres are the same. So CPM has checked out some of the top tyres available to meet the differing needs of the grower.
The Traxion Optimall is a very high flexion (VF) tractor tyre, which ties in traction and fuel efficiency and is suited to high horsepower tractors.
By Melanie Jenkins
At some point replacing the tyres on a tractor, combine, sprayer or other piece of farm kit will be on the ‘to-do’ list, so what’s on the market at the moment and what are different tyre manufacturers offering?
Everyone knows that good tyres which are right for the job can improve efficiencies, maximise machinery output and are worth their weight in gold when you get the working hours out of them. What’s more, the wrong tyre in the wrong conditions can result in smearing and compaction, with consequences for soil health and crop performance. So it’s worth taking a close look at some of the best-known names in agricultural tyres to see what they’re putting in the field at the moment.
BKT
BKT has a range of tyres to cater for all soil tillage operations. So for those growers looking to minimise soil compaction, improve field to road transition, or work in harsh conditions, selecting the right tyre for the job can make a big difference.
BKT’s high-end product Agrimax Force is suited to high power tractors. Utilising the company’s ‘IF’ technology the tyres are able to work with heavy loads at low inflation pressures to minimise soil compaction, says the firm. In addition to this, their large footprint area and homogenous pressure distribution aid soil flotation. The casing structure is designed to provide maximum sidewall flexibility and to give the tyre a longer service life.
BKT’s high-end product Agrimax Force is suited to high power tractors.
Using a polyester casing, BKT has also been able to eliminate the occurrence of flat-spotting – a vibration linked to the temporary tread flattening in the contact patch. Available in 24 sizes, SIMA 2019 saw the launch of the IF 750/75 R 46 option, with a 2.3m diameter.
BKT’s optimal tyres for tillage and cultivations are the Agrimax Fortis, which the company states can ensure comfort while delivering on-soil performance. They’re available in five different sizes.
Agrimax RT 855 is BKT’s best traction tyre, with a purported self-cleaning feature, to smooth the field to road transition. It has a high load capacity and soil flotation ability, and is available in 44 different sizes.
For performance in harsh conditions, BKT’s Agrimax RT 765 is designed to be resistant to cuts and wear. Made from a new generation compound, the company says this radial tyre should minimise soil compaction while providing excellent traction – and it’s available in 34 sizes.
The RT 857 tyre is also suited to unforgiving situations, with polyester belts, a strong casing and a special tread compound all designed to reduce the risk of punctures and cuts.
For those looking to prioritise soil tillage operations, the Agrimax RT 657 is built with this in mind. According to the firm it was produced to maintain grip and provide comfort, while being versatile and reliable. Suited for working in the field as well as for road transport, this tyre is made of a special compound so that the tractor can travel long distances, which can help save on operational costs, says BKT. It comes in 22 different sizes and can equip a range of kit.
Another option for those looking to reduce soil compaction while also resisting punctures: The RIB 713, with IF technology, comes in four sizes. It can handle lower inflation pressures – load being equal – compared to a standard tyre of the same size, states the company. These qualities and its larger footprint provide even weight distribution on the ground, giving it good flotation properties, it claims. The steel-belted structure allows it to withstand damage caused by stubbles and can help prevent punctures. Classified as a D speed rating for road use, this tyre can reach a maximum road speed of 65km/h.
Moving from the tractor to whatever it’s towing, it’s worth taking a look at the AW 711 tyre. Designed for agricultural implements, and coming in 11 different sizes, it’s designed to provide farmers with good fuel economy and is long lasting, according to BKT.
CEAT
For producers who want tyres with puncture protection and long life at the forefront, CEAT has front and rear options with these as priorities.
For those looking to prioritise longer life in their tractor tyres, the cut-resistant tread compound of the standard Aayushmaan front tractor tyre makes it CEAT’s longest lasting tyre. It has a high NSD (non-skid depth) and has a rib design with a solid centre rib, as well as puncture pads. It’s available in three sizes of 6.00-16, 6.50-20 and 7.50-16.
Looking at the rear option of the Aayushmaan, this has deep lugs to establish good grip on soils and avoid slippage, while also having a sea (?) area designed to be self-cleaning. This tyre is available in six tube sixes of 11.2-24, 12.4-28, 13.6-26, 14.9-28, 16.9-28 and 8.00-18.
The Aayushmaan Plus front tractor tyres are built to resist punctures. Equipped with puncture pads to increase durability they have a broad rib design, with a solid centre rib to aid handling. The high NSD assists performance and can extend the life of the tyre, says the firm. These are available in one size of a 6.00-16 tube.
The rear version of this tyre has a deep lug design to help the tractor establish a firm grip on the soil. It also has puncture pads and comes in three tube sizes: 13.6-28, 14.9-28 and 16.9-28.
Apollo Vredestein
When getting the best performance and a long life out of the tyre is at the top of the wish list, Apollo Vredestein has an option that could be worth looking at.
The Traxion Optimall is a very high flexion (VF) tractor tyre, which ties in traction and fuel efficiency and is suited to high horsepower tractors. It has a curved design with up to 15% larger footprint – at equal pressure – than other VF tyres and 25% more than increased flexion (IF) tyres, which should reduce compaction, according to Vredestein. It is also suitable for use with central tyre inflation systems (CTIS) and has a rigid upper bead zone to boost stability at low pressures. This can provide up to 10% more radial stiffness, improving the handling safety, the company adds.
Bridgestone
Bridgestone says the VX tractor tyre offers growers more traction for a longer time. A long life tyre, it is made from a wear resistant compound and has long, wide and deep lugs. The patented Involute lug design should minimise slip and soil disturbance and its large tread footprint helps give it good traction, says the firm. The tyre has a six-layer tread belt and a reinforced lower sidewall area to increase durability at higher inflation pressures, and is capable of carrying heavy loads at a pressure of 43.5psi.
For intense field operations, the VT tyre has Bridgestone’s unique S-Line bead profile, which allows for greater flexing at lower pressure, as well as a large footprint to help minimise soil compaction, says the company.
Bridgestone also has a VT combine tyre, which incorporates the S-Line profile, has a reinforced casing for durability, and allows for high load capacities with low pressures, while its large footprint and patented lug design can help minimise soil disturbance, it says.
Farm performance meets tyre test claims
Vredestein’s Traxion Optimall has proven itself a winner for Nick Huddlestone at Debdhill Farm, Doncaster, S. Yorks. After using the tyres for 12 months and recording 1000 working hours with 50mm RTD on the front and 55mm RTD at the back of his Fendt tractor, Nick has found that the tyres have outperformed his original tyres, which were removed at just over 2000 hours. The predicted lifespan of the Optimalls is around 6000 hours, depending on workload.
“Our drivers’ feedback is excellent; we have noticed excellent stability in road use at 11psi and traction in fields with low-ground pressure. The plan is to inflate to around 18psi when an increase in road work is scheduled (as it is likely per seasonal demand). This will protect the tyre and improve fuel economy,” says Nick.
“I think the VF technology will see us get the best out of the big high horse-powered tractors without loss of performance when transferring from field to road. When operating within such extremes, I can make the adjustment in tyre pressure knowing it’s designed to take the strain and deliver the power.
“As a working farmer I don’t have the on-site technology to test the claims made by tyre manufacturers, but I can read the independent reports issued by DLG (Report 6800) and then see how they perform in the field for myself.”
