TIREMAKERS SHARE TIPS FOR SLASHING FUEL COSTS INFLATION, BALLAST AND TREAD DESIGNS ALL PLAY A ROLE

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TPMS: Chrysler Pacifica – 2022

“Good decisions on tires can have great impacts on fuel costs,” says Blaine Cox, national product manager — agriculture, golf and turf, Yokohama Off-Highway Tires America Inc.

Modern Tire Dealer has partnered with AG Tire Talk to provide answers to insightful questions that farm tire dealers have about farm tire technology. This is the next installment in our ongoing series, which is designed to help farm tire dealers better connect with their customers. A trending question, followed by answers, will appear in our Commercial Tire Dealer section every other month. For complete answers, click on www.agtiretalk.com.

QUESTION: What tactics can be used to reduce fuel costs, what types of tires can further enhance fuel efficiency and how much savings can end users anticipate?

DAVE PAULK, manager, field technical services, BKT USA Inc.: There are several factors to consider when working to enhance fuel economy in the field. When these things aren’t working right, it can increase the cost of fuel and time, as well as wear and tear on the tractor.

The correct amount of wheel/tire ballast is important for a tractor because it helps to transfer the power from the tractor to the ground. With too little ballast, the end user is limited to the size of the implements/wagons he can pull. This can create too much tire slippage and can cost your customer fuel and time. Eight percent to 15% slippage is in the recommended range per industry standards.

Proper air inflation and proper ballast are important to ensure that a tractor performs at an optimum level. Tractors in the field used at lower speeds can run less air pressure to allow for a longer and wider footprint. This helps with traction, minimizes soil compaction and saves fuel. Overinflation in the field can cause excessive wheel slip and fuel use.

When the tractor is on the road and used at higher speeds, tires need more air pressure to carry the weight of the tractor and implements. Load capacity decreases as speed increases. Therefore, more air is needed to protect the integrity of the tire. More air also creates a smaller footprint for the road that gives less rolling resistance and better fuel economy.

Central air inflation systems (CTIS) on tractors and combines are starting to be more widely considered and used. A compressor mounted on the tractor and air lines connected to the tires allow for air pressure levels to be dropped in the field and air to be added to the tires before road use. Incorrect air pressures for diverse applications can cause a variety of problems with tires, including premature wear, casing failures and impact breaks.

One survey stated that by using the correct air pressures — minimum pressure levels that will carry the weight of the tractor and implement — end users can save up to 20% in fuel. Another study suggests that eliminating excess slippage by using the correct amount of ballast can lead to up to 10% in fuel savings.

Very high-flexion (VF) tires carry 40% more weight than a standard tire at the same air pressure. They can also carry the same load as a standard tire at 40% lower air pressure. The VF tire is a good option to consider if no till/minimum till is used on the farm. Air pressure dictates the ground bearing pressure of a tire. The lower the pressure, the less ground bearing pressure on the soil. The more air, the greater the ground bearing pressure that is applied.