The arrival of the VF (Very Increased Flexion) tyre was a game-changer in the world of agricultural tyres.
When choosing new tractor tyres, the user can now choose between standard tyres, IF (Increased Flexion) and VF tyres, and often their decision will be based on the price. However, the cost savings are not exactly what they appear to be…...
While the VF is the most expensive to buy, it is also the most hard wearing and efficient and its life span is greater to that of other types of agricultural tyres.
To illustrate this, here’s a simple calculation: an IF tyre can carry up to 20% more than a standard tyre and the VF tyre can carry up to 40% extra. to that of other types of agricultural tyres.
A sizeable advantage is that you no longer endure the problems of incorrect tyre pressure, it is no longer necessary to change the tyre pressure from one type of surface to another. This evolution represents considerable time saved and comfort for farmers who are often in a hurry and don’t know which pressure to apply on roads or on muddy or chalky soil.
According to manufacturer tests, for an equivalent load, the VF casing allows you to reduce the pressure by 40% at 50 km/h and by 30 to 40% at 30 km/h.
Another advantage: contrary to IF tyres, the pressure of the VF casing can be reduced to below 0.8 Bar while a standard farming tyre cannot work at below 1.2 Bar. This new technology will revolutionise the daily lives of farmers by helping them to save valuable time.
Soil compaction is one of the primary worries of crop farmers and farm workers in general. In terms of agronomics and soil preservation, VF tyres have all the answers. With a lower pressure level, they limit soil compaction, have a more evenly spread footprint and reduce spinning.
The agricultural tyre is therefore a great alternative to dual wheels which represent an initial investment and increased maintenance costs. With this type of tyre, which is no bigger than a standard tyre, the tread contact length will be longer, generating increased traction, less rut creation and less fuel consumption.
Low pressure, wide footprint, heavier loads… QED, VF farming tyres will boost your productivity. Tests and user feedback have shown that this technology allows you to work more hectares in one day. An increase in yield which is particularly relevant to increasingly large farms and a reduction in the numbers of farm workers.
For anyone hesitating at the idea of investing in this type of tyre which is 15 to 20% more expensive to purchase, the argument is obvious: a saving of 0.7 litres of Off-road fuel per hectare compared to a standard agricultural tyre. At around 0.65 euro per litre of Off-road fuel, this is a significant economy for increasingly large farms which are often composed of several hundred hectares.
The Bridgestone-agriculture.eu blog is written and administered by tractor tyre experts who are available to provide you with the advice you need on the subject of your agricultural tyres. They allow you to maximise your productivity with information on all subjects linked to tyres: technical data for agricultural tyres, agricultural tyre performance, air pressure advice, solutions to avoid soil compaction – sprayer tyre pressure – why and how to ballast your tractor tyres – etc….
To take it one step further and increase the profitability of your farm, les Experts du pneu provide a free, highly detailed eBook which explains the essential role of the agricultural tyre in your productivity.
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