Alliance launches VF flotation tire

WAKEFIELD, Mass. (Dec. 11, 2015) — Alliance Tire Group (ATG) has launched what it claims is the world's first VF (very high flexion) flotation tire, the 380 VF Flotation Radial.

According to ATG, the tire can carry up to 40 percent more load at the same level of inflation as a conventional radial tire or the same load with 30 percent less pressure. ATG said footprint of the 380 VF at the lower inflation pressure is 25-percent larger than conventional tires.

The Alliance 380 VF has been released in size 650/55R26.5 and 560/55R22.5.

The company said lowered inflation pressure and larger footprint are both key factors in reducing soil compaction, a growing concern to farmers globally as equipment manufacturers develop larger, heavier machines. Soil compaction has been identified by scientists as a global threat to sustainable land use, limiting crop yields by as much as 70 percent, reducing a field's capacity to store moisture, causing greater soil erosion and lowering the fuel efficiency of fieldwork, ATG added.

“Alliance was one of the first manufacturers to produce flotation tires, and the first to introduce an all-steel radial flotation option,” said Trent Wallin, agriculture product manager for Alliance Tire Americas. “We were also the first to make flotation tires capable of highway speeds.

“At Alliance, our goal is to develop high-tech tires that solve real problems in the field, and do it at a price that's within our customers' reach. The Alliance 380 VF is a great example of how we're doing this.”    

ATG also is offering a free white paper on soil compaction and farm tires. Visit http://ataoffers.atgtire.com/soil to download a copy.