IF/VF agricultural tyres on the move

Test with innovative tyre technology proves greater performance for soil

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The new IF/VF technology promises greater performance for soil. But can it also keep this promise under real conditions? Bohnenkamp followed up on this claim and, with the support of the agricultural machinery manufacturer Amazone, carried out a series of tests under real conditions on the field. The results indicate that IF/VF technology is significantly superior on the field and on the road.

Lower ground pressure due to flexible carcass layers

IF (Improved/Increased Flexion) tyres move the same payload as comparable standard tyres at 20 percent lower inflation pressure - or up to 20 percent more load at the same tyre pressure. VF (Very High Flexion) tyres even increase this performance limit up to 40 percent. This is made possible by a modified carcass structure. The lower tyre pressure compared to the standard tyre not only makes the tyre look "flat", the tyres contact area actually increases so that the load is better distributed. If the machine drives on the road, the tyre pressure can be increased for lower rolling resistance, thus saving fuel. The resulting performance benefits of IF/VF tyre technology sound compelling. Farmers should benefit from better soil protection and higher yields while saving valuable fuel. Bohnenkamp and Amazone examined this very closely in the field test.

Results show economically superior technology

For the test, three different Amazone machines (towed field sprayer UX 5201 SUPER, self- propelled field sprayer PANTERA 4502H, towed spreader ZG TS 1001 PROFISPRO) were each fitted with a standard tyre on the left and an IF or VF tyre on the right. After driving along a given section of the field, the tracks were precisely measured. The absolute track depth was measured and compared, as was the penetration depth using a ground penetrometer.

The ground penetrometer loads a probe with a defined weight and measures how far it penetrates into the soil. The further the probe penetrates, the less resistance the soil will have against the probe and the less the soil is compacted. Lower soil compaction means better rooting and thus a higher yield as well. To measure the individual track depths, a board was laid over the track so that the respective depth could then be measured with a folding ruler.

The measured values already show clear advantages for the IF/VF technology. The track depths are consistently lower (sometimes up to 30%) and the penetration depth is significantly higher.

220 cubic meters more root space

A clear picture can be seen across all measurement results - especially in the track depth. The effect of higher soil protection through the use of IF and VF technology is verifiable: On one hectare, plants have around 220 cubic metres more root space available for the absorption of nutrients. A clearly positive test result, which at the same time confirms that the use of the new tyre technology is worthwhile in every respect.

Heiko Holthaus, Business Unit Manager for Agriculture, is already making a clear forecast: “IF/VF technology will soon become the standard. It is offers gentler ground handling, is economically superior and suitable for mass production, meaning it is already available for many machines and towed vehicles. We will present the advantages of the technology and its broad range to our customers at Agritechnica.”