SASKATOON, Saskatchewan — Michelin North America Inc. will exhibit two new agricultural tires, the Michelin CrossGrip and the Michelin AxioBib2, at the Ag in Motion outdoor farm expo in Saskatoon.
During the July 17-19 expo, Michelin will sponsor a hands-on skid-steer demonstration to compare competitive solid tires with the Michelin X Tweel airless radial tires, the tire maker said.
Michelin has two John Deere skid-steer loaders — one fitted with Michelin X Tweel All Terrain airless radial tires, the other with a competitor's solid skid-steer tires — in the expo's field demonstration area.
"Participants will have the opportunity to experience hands-on, educational demonstrations," Michelin said. "Attendees can assess ride, operator comfort, handling, responsiveness, productivity and total cost of ownership."
The Michelin CrossGrip is a multipurpose radial tire for road, grass and snow.
"Using a special rubber compound, this four-season tire is designed for high-load-capacity use on loaders, backhoes, telehandlers and tractors," Michelin said.
The tire has a patented, non-directional tread for excellent handling in both forward and reverse gears, the company said.
With 196 tread blocks per wheel rotation, the tire reduces vibration for greater rider comfort. Asymmetrical lateral blocks help provide good traction in winter conditions, and the tire can be studded for use on ice, the tire maker said.
The Michelin CrossGrip will be available for sale Aug. 1 in sizes 250/80R16, 400/80R24 (16.0R24), 440/80R24 (16.9R24) and 440/80R28 (16.9R28). Additional fitments will be available in 2019 and 2020, Michelin said.
The Michelin AxioBib2 is a high-traction capacity radial very-high-flexion (VF) tire for mid- to high-powered tractor loads running with low pressure on a standard wheel, Michelin said.
"The tire has the best load index (650mm) on the market," the tire maker said. "Farmers will have ease plowing in the furrow. AxioBio2 demonstrates exceptional field traction performance at pressures as low as 9 psi, dues to its very high flexion carcass.
"Michelin Ultraflex VF technology can carry the same load at up to 40 percent lower air pressure compared with standard radial technology tires," Michelin said.
The AxioBio2 is available in 710/60R42 and 600/60R30 sizes, with additional sizes anticipated in 2019.