Bridgestone’s VT-TRACTOR tyre enables farmers and contractors to meet the conflicting demands of greater productivity, efficiency and soil protection.

The tyre is capable of operating at lower inflation pressures and with a larger footprint. As such, it reduces ground contact pressure and associated soil compaction.

Preliminary tests conducted in March 2014 by the independent organisation DLG confirm the VT-TRACTOR has resulted in noticeable improvements in many areas, including traction and fuel consumption.

It is claimed that the superior traction allows farmers to work faster in the field and cover up to 0.9ha more over a 10-hour period. Coupled with the tyre’s excellent fuel economy, generating savings of up to 36 litres per 50ha, the VT-TRACTOR guarantees a lower total cost of ownership.

The most important feature of the tyre is arguably its low and evenly distributed contact pressure. Internal testing in Bridgestone also revealed that the tyre provides up to 26% larger lug contact area, resulting in very low soil compaction and thus greater crop protection.

While Bridgestone has set its sights on the new and growing high-end agricultural tyre segment, and this tyre will mainly be made available in sizes covering the largest and most powerful agricultural equipment, Firestone will continue to meet the needs of more than 90% of the tractor market in Europe with a new generation of high-quality agricultural tyres.

This new generation of Firestone agricultural tyres includes the robust MAXI TRACTION COMBINE for combine harvesters and the advanced PERFORMER ROW CROP for sprayer applications, a narrow tyre that allows precise steering between crops, thus eliminating damage to crops and roots.

Product manager Steve Hewitt said: “Bridgestone and Firestone have different brand strengths and attributes. Together in our multi-brand approach they can provide farmers in all segments with the optimal solution.”

The opportunity for both Bridgestone and Firestone is the rapidly changing face of farming in Europe.

Farms today are becoming fewer in number, but larger in size, often sharing their resources and equipment to maximise efficiency. Their equipment is also becoming larger, more powerful and more specialised.

Steve added: “This evolution in farming in Europe represents a serious challenge to manufacturers of agricultural tyres, as they struggle to keep up with the pace of change. As one of the world’s largest tyre and rubber manufacturers, we are responding to the challenge with a target-oriented multi-brand product portfolio that will meet the needs of all players in the agricultural sector.”

For more information about Bridgestone and Firestone’s agricultural tyres, visit www.bridgestone.co.uk/agricultural.

To read the full Tyres Focus Supplement, click here.