3 minute read
TEN Insights
from Modern Tire Dealer - August 2022
by EndeavorBusinessMedia-VehicleRepairGroup
or machinery used in agriculture or construction. Agriculture sprayers are complete spray systems engineered for generating pressure to drive spray uid from a tank out to the sprayer’s nozzle(s) onto crop or soil. Sprayers are most o en used for the administration of water, insecticides, pesticides, herbicides and fertilizer. Sprayer tires need to pass over soil and crops.
Obviously these two de nitions are very di erent. Consequently, these machines will need very di erent tires. However, in today’s farming climate, there are times where a sprayer tire size can be used on a tractor and a tractor tire size can be used on a sprayer.
Let’s talk about various di erences between tractor tires and sprayer tires. The need for higher productivity in the agricultural industry drives the professional and extensive use of modern sprayers.
New generations of fertilizers and self-propelled, high-powered sprayers require a signi cant upgrade in tire technology to cope with new, high-demand applications through high-load, stability and reduced fuel consumption.
Current sprayers’ and spreaders’ normal working speed is between 25 and 30 mph. Transport speeds are up to 45 mph. Sprayer-specific tires must at least have a speed symbol of D. This enables the speed to comfortably carry its rated load at 40 mph.
Another major di erence between a tractor tire and a sprayer tire is tread depth. A tractor tire needs to pull, whereas a sprayer tire needs to oat on the ground and provide some traction. But otation and stability are its main contributors.
Sprayer tires normally have an R1 tread design, whereas a tractor tire normally has an R1W tread design. e main di erence is an R1W lug design is 20% taller than an R1 and assures a higher traction transfer from the tractor to the ground.
Over the years, applications have become quite sophisticated. End users now will o en use two kinds of sprayer tires.
Sprayer tires feature VF technology. This technology enables the tire to carry up to 40% more load at the same air pressure. It also allows the tire to be used at up to 40% less air while carrying the same load, while maintaining the 40 mph speed capability.
BLAINE COX, national product manager — agriculture, golf and turf, Yokohama O -Highway Tires America Inc.:
Like so many segments in the tire industry, sprayer tires have become very specialized.
It’s really the opposite of a one-size- ts-all market. But there are some common denominators.
For instance, applicators need to protect crops, whether it’s by running between rows of standing crops or by minimizing soil compaction, especially if they are running on wet, compaction-prone soils. ey need precise, reliable steering, without the squirrely wobble that many older-style tires can create.
Good roadability is an absolute must to cover as many acres as possible in a day. That’s critical to maximizing income or return on investment and also to react with protection when needed.
And farmers and growers have come to recognize the value
of a smooth ride to help maximize productivity.
Finally, tires need to handle heavy loads, which has driven a lot of enthusiasm for our VF sprayer tires.
VF technology permits up to 40% more weight at the same in ation pressure as conventional radials of the same size or allows applicators to reduce in ation pressure by up to 40% to carry the same load as a conventional radial.
Yokohama O -Highway Tires America Inc. o ers a wide range of tread patterns and constructions for sprayers of all kinds to help farmers and custom applicators match their tires to their business model, soils, crops and even the time of the season.
Choosing the best sprayer tire takes a little consideration, but it’s time well-spent. e right tire can help maximize the productivity and impact of an application rig at times when the stakes are high and the crop or a farmer’s bottom line are at stake.
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