Evolution of radial tires and benefits in agricultural application

Several studies carried out by independent entities, committed to improving agricultural productivity, in Brazil and around the world, indicate that the lower the pressures inside an agricultural tire, the better agronomic results are obtained and the better the performance of the machines in the field.

Considering that the tire is the link between the agricultural machine and the soil, we can attribute to it a series of commitments related to the performance of this machine and its impact on the productivity and profitability of the crop. In this way, the decision to choose the ideal tire for each type of machine, axle and type of work has a direct relationship with the results obtained in relation to productivity in the field.

For example, a tire with a radial construction has a contact area with the ground up to 30% more than a tire with a diagonal construction, under the same conditions of use, load and tire size.

This larger contact area results in better load distribution on the ground and more bars in contact with the ground. The radial construction also allows the use of lower pressures compared to diagonal tires. Even among radials, you should look for those with lower pressures.

The tread of the radial tire is stabilized by the ply belt at the top. These characteristics provide several advantages when using radial tires on agricultural machinery, as we will see below. One of the most important is less soil compaction, which provides increased crop productivity and protection for the soil against erosion. Furthermore, radial tires provide greater traction power, which provides better transfer of engine force to the ground. This combination results in fuel savings, increased speed or reduced working time, use of larger or heavier implements, reduced wear on the mechanical parts of the machine and reduced slippage.

Today, in Brazil, there are already agricultural tire solutions with radial technology, with the most advanced features in improving performance. These are technologies such as “IF” – Improved Flexion – (radials with a bonus of 20% more load) and “VF” – Very high Flexion – (radials with a bonus of 40% more load).

In this context, the great challenge for tire manufacturers is to present farmers with solutions that integrate reduced operating costs and increased productivity. An example found in Brazil is the Michelin Ultraflex radial technology. Comparative tests with agricultural tires, audited by the Vanzolini Foundation, show that tires with this type of configuration compact the soil around 32% less and save around 28% in fuel compared to conventional radial tires.

If two thousand hours worked per machine per year and an average consumption of ten liters per hour are considered, the annual savings, with the reduction in fuel consumption for 30 tractors, can reach approximately R$400 thousand. And, if we take into account the other productivity gains, with less soil compaction, this number would still increase significantly.

In Brazil, only around 5% of agricultural tires sold in the replacement market are radial, while in Europe 85% are already radial. The radialization of the Brazilian market will be essential for increasing agricultural productivity.

In 2013, according to Anip (National Tire Industry Association), the sale of radial tires in the replacement market grew by 37%, while diagonal tires only grew by 7% compared to the previous year. The market for radial tires for original equipment grew 176% against 18% growth for bias tires (Anip - 2013 vs 2012). This clearly demonstrates that there is already a great demand for technology from customers, whether agricultural producers or automakers who have already understood that agricultural machines require radial tires to maximize their productivity in all types of crops.

Advantages of special radial tires compared to standard tires

PERFORMANCE	ADVANTAGES	Technical characteristics versus standard technologies
Soil protection	Lowest compression: better root development preservation of agronomic heritage Minor grooves: Better air and water circulation Uniform crop growth	Lower pressure (20% to 40% lower) under heavy load and at high speed Perfect load sharing thanks to a larger contact area with the ground Significant increase in the number of bars on the ground
fuel economy	Clear reduction in slip rate: Perfect operation of machine performances Work reduction
Longevity	Exceptional traction capacity: Reduced tire wear in the field Abrasion and heat resistance: Reduced tire wear on the road High level of comfort Respect for men and material preservation

PERFORMANCE

ADVANTAGES

Technical characteristics versus standard technologies

Soil protection

Lowest compression:

• better root development
• preservation of agronomic heritage

Minor grooves:

• Better air and water circulation
• Uniform crop growth

Lower pressure (20% to 40% lower) under heavy load and at high speed

Perfect load sharing thanks to a larger contact area with the ground

Significant increase in the number of bars on the ground

fuel economy

Clear reduction in slip rate:

• Perfect operation of machine performances
• Work reduction

Longevity

Exceptional traction capacity:

• Reduced tire wear in the field

Abrasion and heat resistance:

• Reduced tire wear on the road

High level of comfort

• Respect for men and material preservation

This article was published in issue 143 of Cultivar Máquinas magazine. Click here to read the edition.