Michelin has unveiled what it believes will be the next generation of agricultural tyres. The concept tyre has a tread pattern shaped like an ear of wheat – distinctly different to the conventional V-shaped or herringbone design that farmers know.

Michelin claims the design features a central, rigid rubber block formed by wheat grain shapes, with side tapering for maximum precision, guidance and traction.

According to Michelin, its development springs from more than €600m spent on research and development.

Trial work by Michelin suggests that its XeoBib tyres fitted to a Massey Ferguson 6616 tractor operating with a Kuhn power harrow drill combination and driven over a 100ha field saved fuel.

Michelin stated the lower ground pressure of 7psi in the front tyres and 13psi in the back reduced the rut depth. The results from the trial by Michelin are that £400 (or €560) was saved on fuel over the 100ha.

Bridgestone offers very high flexion (VF) tyres

Bridgestone claims that, compared with standard tyres, the main benefit of the VF standard is that it allows the VT-tractor tyre to operate at lower pressure in the field, which reduces soil compaction. It also allows the vehicle to carry more loads on the road, which Bridgestone says means making fewer transport cycles.

The tyre is capable of driving at higher speed when moving from the field to the road since the load capacity is now independent of speed and there is no need to adapt inflation pressure.

The DLG test report concluded that this tyre is in the premium category in the test performed.

The results of the test showed the footprint of the VF tyre lug contact area increased by 26%. The tractor got through 0.9ha extra area in the time tested, burning 36 litres less fuel. The results were based on a direct comparison with premium competitors.

Adding to the benefits of VF, according to Bridgestone, the VT-tractor tyre provides the extra advantage of being suitable for standard rims. VF tyres usually require wider rims, making it necessary to purchase new rims when switching from standard tyres.

However, an experimental standard has been introduced by the European Tire and Rim Technical Organisation (ETRTO), called narrow rim option, which enables VF tires that would normally require a wider VF rim to also be fitted on a standard rim. Bridgestone advises that anyone considering this option should consult their suppliers.

Tyre pressure app from Firestone

Firestone has introduced a free European-wide iPhone app to help farmers maintain their tractor tyres at the right pressure. When the Tyre Pressure Calculator app is downloaded, users simply select their tyre size and then see the correct tyre pressure for the load and speed of their tractor.

According to Firestone, operating a tractor on incorrect pressure shortens tyre life and can unnecessarily increase soil compaction, which reduces crop yield. When changing farming activity or jobs, the app can help farmers maximise tyre life by adjusting to recommended tyre pressure.