brings more tyre and track choice investment Continued

Balkrishna Industries Ltd (BKT) offers a rapidly growing range of off-road tyres, including many ideal for fruit growing and vineyard applications. Fruit & Vine machinery editor, David Williams, visited the company’s newest production plant at Bhuj in Northern India recently, to meet the owners and nd out about the brand’s growing success

Last year, BKT’s global sales exceeded $1BN for the rst time since the company started trading in 1987. Now the target is to double that gure within just three more years.

BKT has ve tyre factories in India, and the Bhuj plant, 850km north of Mumbai, is its largest and newest. Construction began in 2010 and, by 2012 the rst solid tyres were produced. The plant is in an arid desert area, away from centres of population. Road and rail links are poor, there was no infrastructure to support the new plant and no local workforce. However, the 125ha needed was available there and two main sea ports nearby make it easy to ship tyres worldwide. Labour supply issues were solved by an on-site village for workers and their families comprising modern, well-equipped ats accompanied by sports and social facilities as well as a supermarket and a medical centre. Approximately 900 families currently live on-site.

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The company invests heavily in research and development, and an advantage over many competitors is that it manufactures its own tyre moulds. This allows new tyres to be developed to meet speci c demands within a very short time, and modi cations to carcase and tread designs can be implemented quickly.

A state-of-the-art 10ha research and development centre at the Bhuj site was completed in 2017, allowing intensive testing of new tyres and technology. Compounds, carcase and tread designs are all thoroughly evaluated. “Having a testing centre at the factory is crucial,” explained joint managing director Rajif Poddar.

An outside test area comprises six types of tracks and allows tyre evaluation on vehicles before nal testing by customers.

The thorough testing results in an extremely low failure rate of less than 0.25%, even though BKT radial tyres come with a six-year warranty.

Tyre manufacturing is complex, and the factory tour included explanations of how rubber compounds can be created to optimise ride quality and tyre durability, and how combinations of layers achieve the desired results.

Fruit & Vine took advantage of an opportunity to meet BKT president and director of technology, Dilip Vaidya, and ask his advice regarding tyre selection for UK orchard and vineyard applications.

Whether it is orchards, vineyards, cereals or beet elds, every crop requires dedicated cultivation techniques where machinery and tyres play a crucial role in ensuring a good harvest, he pointed out. It is also important to consider the di erent working regimes. In orchards, machinery usually operates under branches, whereas narrow vineyard rows require increased manoeuvrability for headland turns – facilitated by suitable tyres. Another important variable is the machinery. Specialised orchard tractors are small, compact, and low-powered, which a ects the equipment they can use. Therefore, these tractors must be equipped with narrow tyres, for operation along narrow rows. Sprayers often have a high centre of gravity and travel between sites carrying heavy loads. They can work in narrow vine rows, orchards, olive groves, and elds of crops of varying height, and on challenging terrain and slopes. It is therefore essential to equip them with tyres o ering exceptional stability, reduced soil compaction, and maximum traction.

BKT’s tyre range consists of over 3,200 products and is characterised by its breadth and ability to o er solutions for all operating sectors, Dilip continued.

Tyres designed for orchards and vineyards o er durability, operator comfort, stability, reduced soil compaction and traction, resulting in time, fuel, and cost savings.

The agship tyre is the AgriMax Spargo, speci cally designed for row crop applications and to increase productivity while preserving the soil. With VF technology, these tyres o er higher load capacity at standard in ation pressures. The robust casing and increased number of lugs ensure durability combined with excellent stability in the eld and for road transport. Next is the AgriMax RT955 – ideal for row crop applications, and with some sizes also suitable for spraying and harvesting. The rounded shoulder tread design gives excellent traction, great stability and e ective self-cleaning properties, and the robust casing provides high load capacity. Similar features are found in the AgriMax RT945 which minimises crop damage. Exceptional self-cleaning allows quick transition from eld operations to road use. The durable casing provides outstanding stability, excellent traction, and extraordinary durability. Lastly, the Agrimax RT855 stands out for its excellent traction and comfort. Mainly developed for soil cultivation and transport, some sizes are also suitable for spraying and harvesting applications, and the tyre o ers excellent selfcleaning properties allowing a quick transition from eld to road work.

These operations require durability, reduced soil compaction, traction, stability, and good operator comfort. In addition, agricultural machines used for these operations often have a higher centre of gravity than conventional farm vehicles, and many travel on roads carrying heavy loads. Choosing the right tyres is crucial, but it is also essential to apply the correct tyre settings to facilitate work, such as setting the proper pressures to maximise operator comfort. Where row crop tyres are used, BKT's rst recommendation is to use VF (Very High Flexion) tyres – with 40% higher load capacity at the same pressures compared to standard tyres of the same size. Another consideration in choosing the right tyres is to consider machine height and width limitations for speci c crops they will work with.

“Selecting the right tyres isn’t simple,” Dilip explained. “Many variables must be considered, such as intended use, speci c work activity, speci c terrain, and climate conditions. There are numerous scenarios, which is why there are di erent tyres for various applications.”

So how should customers choose? Dilip said it is essential to consult experts who can advise the most suitable product through their knowledge and experience. This consultative phase is of great importance for BKT, he stressed, beginning in the initial stages and continuing throughout the aftersales process. “Our after-sales service is through an extensive network of specialised distributors and quali ed, reliable retailers. We provide professional support relating to all aspects – including mounting, maintenance and tyre replacement, ensuring maximum e ciency and timeliness.

Considering speci c characteristics of the UK’s wine industry, including the wetter and cooler climate, later harvesting season, and shorter working windows, Dilip said it is crucial to select tyres that will perform well under these unique conditions.

He suggested factors to consider include:

Traction in wet conditions: Tyres which achieve excellent traction on wet and slippery surfaces can improve overall performance and safety during wetter periods.

Low temperature resistance: Maintaining exibility and durability in cooler temperatures will ensure consistent performance in the UK's cooler climate.

Adaptability to varying terrain: The UK has a diverse landscape, and tyres that can handle di erent types of terrain, such as slopes and uneven surfaces will be bene cial.

E cient self-cleaning: Tyres that can e ciently shed mud and debris will maintain optimal performance in wet conditions and help prevent damage to crops.

Although speci c tyre recommendations may vary depending on individual circumstances, BKT’s expertise and extensive product range can help UK users invest in the most suitable tyres for their needs in this unique climate and terrain, he continued. By consulting with BKT professionals and local distributors, UK users can select the best tyres for their speci c requirements, maximising e ciency and productivity for vineyard and fruit operations.

Dilip was asked about future developments. “One of BKT's top priorities is providing the best products for every situation, and we achieve this by continuously designing solutions that ensure the best results. For this reason, the company is constantly working to enhance and improve its product ranges.

“In relation to orchard and vineyard applications, we are excited to share with Fruit & Vine readers that we are currently working on a rubber track project speci cally aimed at these sectors. As a result, in the coming months, they can expect some exciting new developments and innovations to be unveiled,” he concluded.