Increased flexion (IF) tyres and very high flexion (VF) tyres are said to have revolutionised the farming sector.  The increased flexion and larger footprint of IF and VF tyres compared to standard radial farming tyres, allow for better weight distribution, which helps to reduce soil compaction and offers several benefits.

The new technologies are able to bear heavier loads – with an IF tyre able to bear 20% more weight and a VF tyre 40% more weight, at an equal pressure, resulting in fewer transport cycles being required. Materials used in the manufacture of IF and VF tyres and the strengthening of sensitive areas, such as the beads, results in a higher quality tyre.

“The other main advantage of VF tyres is their complete versatility – you no longer need to adjust your tyre pressures when alternating between field and road application,” says Bridgestone Southern Africa product specialist Willouw Goosen. “This saves an enormous amount of time, while also offering greater comfort.”

Bridgestone says that its recently launched VT-TRACTOR tyre is the flagship in the brand’s agriculture range. The tyres are designed to improve the performance of tractors, sprayers and implements and are suited for the most advanced, heavy, and sophisticated machines. In addition, the tyre contributes to lower fuel consumption, as a result of its ability to work at lower pressure, even when operating under higher loads.

The tyres are said to be ideal for intense field operations, helping to improve soil protection. The tyre’s S-LINE bead profile is designed to allow greater flexing at lower pressure, while the patented involute lug design is said to minimise slip and soil disturbance – even under extreme conditions, and with high and constantly changing loads.

“Our tests show that, compared with its competitors, Bridgestone’s VT-TRACTOR tyre has a lug contact area up to 26% larger than current key players in the market,” says Goosen. “The tyres boost agricultural productivity in all conditions thanks to the ability to carry heavier loads, while protecting your most valuable resource, fertile soil.”

Goosen says Bridgestone has introduced the VT-TRACTOR range to South Africa in response to evolving needs in the agricultural sector. “With the farming community adopting new technology, this has opened up an opportunity for Bridgestone to introduce its top-end range of agriculture tyres to the country. In addition, many OEMs are using VT-TRACTOR tyres on the machines that are being exported to the country.”