Michelin has unveiled a new generation of agricultural tyre, the Michelin RoadBib, co-designed with agricultural contractors, which defines a brand new segment of the market.
From launch, it will become the first tyre for 200hp-plus agricultural tractors designed specifically to provide high performance, longevity and traction on machines used intensively on roads.
The high-powered tractor fleets of farm and construction contractors typically spend more than 50 per cent of their time on the road – equivalent to 80 per cent of their total distance travelled – and are often coupled with heavy trailers, which adds to the stress on the tyres. This was the challenge for Michelin’s research-and-development engineers; to propose a solution that would work mainly on tarmac and hard soil roads, providing high traction and longevity, while also working well in fields on soft soil.
To achieve this, the Michelin RoadBib features a brand-new tread design; the first time Michelin has produced an agricultural tyre that’s not “lugged” in the traditional sense. Formed of 52 blocks to maximise traction, coupled with a central spine, it allows 40 per cent of the tyre to remain in contact with the road surface – a 60 per cent increase on a typical lugged agricultural tyre. The new tyre also increases driver comfort, and delivers about 25 per cent additional tyre life.
The commercial director of agriculture at Michelin responsible for the UK, Ireland and the Nordics, Martyn Pointer, said the new Michelin RoadBib was packed full of innovations, and is set to change the way contractors specify tyres in the future.
“Whereas a traditional agricultural tyre might have an average life of 4,000 hours, a Michelin RoadBib will deliver 5,000 hours in service,” he added. “That’s a significant increase in tyre life, coupled with the benefits of increased comfort, reduced costs and high traction in the field.”
The new tyre will be available in the sizes 600/70R30 and 710/70R42 from the first quarter of 2018.
For more information visit http://agricultural.michelin.co.uk.
