WAKEFIELD, Mass. — Alliance Tire Americas Inc. has introduced a VF (very high flexion) tire, the Alliance Agriflex+ 354, for the largest class of high-clearance sprayers.
The tire features wide steel radial belts, stubble-resistant rubber compounds, sidewalls engineered for extra flexibility and a large air chamber to support the weight of today's big machinery, the tire maker said.
The Agriflex+ 354 tire in size 420/95R50 can handle loads of more than 15,000 pounds per wheel, the company said, noting that the tire also is available in 380/90R46 and 320/90R50 sizes. A 380/105R50 size will be released soon.
The tire is rated for road speeds up to 40 mph.
VF technology offers operators a choice of two key benefits, according to James Crouch, Alliance Tire's product manager for agriculture: VF tires can carry the same load as a conventional radial tire at 40 percent lower inflation pressure, dramatically reducing soil compaction; or VF tires can carry 40 percent more load at the same inflation pressure as a conventional radial tire of the same size.
"At Alliance, we strongly believe in giving customers great choices," Mr. Crouch said. "VF technology is perfect for us because it allows owners to choose the way they want to use the tire to make their machine more productive.
"It is in the same spirit as our commitment to developing innovative tread patterns, new rubber compounds, cutting-edge flotation tires — all kinds of tire technologies that improve performance and contribute to the bottom line for farmers and applicators."