VF Tires Can Reduce Yield Loss

VF Tires Can Reduce Yield Loss TIRES/WHEELS Miscellaneous How tires flex on ag equipment is key to lowering compaction in the soil and that can have a big impact on yield loss VF very high flexion tires have sidewalls that enable them to bear heavier loads and operate at lower inflation pressures They cost about 15 percent more than standard radials but their impact on yields can last the life of the tire or longer “We’ve seen scientific data from all over the world in a wide range of crops that shows yield losses of 14 to 70 percent from soil compaction ” says James Crouch Yokohama Off-Highway Tires America “That loss can last a very long time or cost a lot to try and repair ” Crouch points to his company’s Alliance Agriflex+VF tires as technology that can be more efficient on the road while reducing yield loss in the field VF tires can carry up to 40 percent more load than a conventional radial tire at the same inflation pressure That saves on fuel and reduces machine hours The higher the inflation pressure the cooler the tires run which is important in transit and the less likely the tires will fail from overload VF tires are also able to operate at 40 percent lower air pressure While the ability to carry more load can be a money saver on the road operating at lower inflation pressure can be a money saver in the field The lower the air pressure the larger the footprint A larger footprint translates to improved traction and reduced soil compaction The latter is as true for grain carts as for tractors and combines Crouch notes that Alliance was an early adopter of VF technology and the first to develop a VF flotation tire They’ve since introduced their Whole Farm Concept offering low-pressure high-performance tires for nearly any farm tire “We’re investing heavily in expanding our VF offering to fit nearly every wheel that touches the field ” says Crouch The key to taking full advantage of up to 40 percent lower inflation pressure in the field and 40 percent higher load with full inflation pressure on the road is a central tire inflation system CTIS Crouch argues that it isn’t required with VF tires but it ensures access to all the benefits “With CTIS you can reduce inflation pressure when you get to the field to minimize compaction Then with the push of a button inflate them in moments before getting on the road and driving to your next field at higher speeds ” says Crouch “What we’ve seen is that CTIS ends up extending the service life of VF tires because they’re always being operated at the optimum pressure for load and conditions ” he adds “VF tires are an investment so a CTIS that helps you get extra years of benefit from that investment pays off surprisingly quickly ” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Yokohama Off-Highway Tires America 201 Edgewater Dr Suite 285  Wakefield Mass 01880 ph 339-900-8080 or toll-free 800-343-3276; https://yokohama-atg com/usa

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