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important to determine the appropriate inflation pressure for each application and to be sure to maintain it.

If a grower doesn’t plan to adjust tire inflation pressure throughout the year, we recommend setting the pressure for the maximum load the tires will see all year. But the best way to maximize fuel efficiency is to adjust the inflation pressure for each specific application throughout the year.

The tread of a tire is what transmits the power from the tractor to the ground. As the tread depth decreases below 20% its original depth, consider replacing the tires. This is when the customer’s tires may start losing traction, especially in wet soil conditions. Growers should also replace tires when signs of damage or degradation become apparent.

Adding liquid ballast to tires increases the maximum amount of draft a tractor can exert, but it can reduce fuel efficiency in some situations when compared to using wheel weights. This is due to the stiffening effect of the liquid on the tire’s carcass, which causes it to deflect less and results in a smaller footprint. The smaller footprint translates to less lug surface area available to develop tractive force. Moving away from liquid ballast, and calcium chloride also removes the chance for corrosion of the tire rims, which would eventually necessitate tire replacement.

Two options that can help enhance fuel cost reduction include upgrading to increased flexion (IF) and VF tires. When switching from standard to IF/VF, growers can increase fuel efficiency up to 4%. Those using bias tires can experience an increase in fuel efficiency up to 14% when upgrading to radial tires, which also provide better tire longevity and fuel economy, as well as reduced soil compaction. www.wheelership.com

IF and VF tires offer elongated footprints by either permitting the same load at a lower inflation pressure or a higher load at the same inflation pressure. In turn, this extended footprint increases the contact area between the tread lugs and the soil, improving the ability to transmit the torque of the machine to the soil without slip. This equals better fuel economy and less time in the field due to decreased slippage and increased traction. Per unit of fuel, growers should be able to travel further and get out of the field sooner than they would otherwise.

Also consider switching your customers from bias to radial tires. The unique construction of a radial-ply tire allows the carcass to be more flexible and develop a bigger and squarer footprint than a similarly sized, bias-ply tire. The increased footprint size leads to reduced contact pressures exerted on the soil, increased flotation and more lug surface area available to develop tractive force without slipping, with enhanced fuel economy. The squarer footprint shape leads to improved wear performance, ride comfort and handling when roading.

While some specific agricultural needs and equipment may call for the bias-ply option, Firestone Ag recommends radial tires in nearly all cases, given their long life, smoother ride and better performance characteristics.

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DAVID GRADEN, operational market manager, agriculture, Michelin North America Inc.: There are many things that can be done to reduce fuel consumption and add money to your customer’s bottom line.

To start with, make sure you fit your equipment with the right tires for the application. Next, be sure tires are set to the manufacturer’s recommended air pressure, based upon speed and weight of your customer’s machine. If air pressures are set higher than the recommendation, you risk lug damage, punctures, fuel consuming slip and soil compaction, which negatively affects your yield in the long run. By using recommended air pressures, your fuel consumption is reduced due to the larger footprint on the ground. Keep in mind, this is contrary to what we know about passenger car tires. In the soil, a larger footprint means more tractive capacity/less slip.

Make it a VF tire and you have significantly improved upon this idea, as VF tires are designed to carry the same weight at 40% less air pressure. Less slip translates into improved productivity and, therefore, less fuel is consumed to do the job. In fact, independent studies at Harper Adams University in the United Kingdom show fuel consumption can be reduced by 10% simply by changing to VF tires.