DECATUR, Ill. — Michelin North America is using this year's Farm Progress Show in Decatur to showcase several prototype tire designs, some of which are due on the market in 2018, that the tire maker claims represent "game-changing" solutions for the farm sector.
Among the tires on display is the LifeBIB concept, Michelin's vision of the next-generation farm tire with a tread pattern that emulates wheat grain in an attempt to protect soil fertility and enhance productivity. It represents a break from the traditional "V" lug design prevalent in this sector.
From a construction point of view, LifeBIB relies on Michelin's reduced air-pressure Ultraflex technology, which the tire maker claims yields tires that can carry the same load at up to 20 percent lower air pressure or up to 20 percent heavier loads at the same pressure as standard radial tires.
"Tires are the only link between the ground and the machine," said Laurent Le Dortz, director of marketing, Michelin North America Agricultural and Compact product line.
"Michelin is driving change through innovation. These prototype tires showcase our technical leadership in the agricultural industry and our commitment to customers to provide the best solutions for their challenges on and off the field."
Other tires on display include:
AgriBIB2 — the successor to the AgriBIB designed for row-crop applications for high-horsepower tractors (150 to 500-plus hp) and positioned as an affordable, premium row-crop tire. It features high traction level due to its R1W tread depth and 45-degree lug angle. It launches in September in two sizes — 380/80R38 142A8/139D and 480/80R50 159A8/159B — with 13 additional dimensions on tap for 2018.