Michelin Agri Range Designed to Offer Greater Productivity

Tests conducted by the tractor manufacturer New Holland have demonstrated fuel savings of 10 per cent using the Michelin XeoBib compared to an identical machine equipped with 65-series tyres.

Michelin’s agricultural range lays claim to providing something for everybody: its six ranges include the AxioBib for very high power machinery; the MachBib for machinery over 200 hp; the MultiBib 65 series; the standard 85 series AgriBib; the 2008-launched 70 series OmniBib; and the XeoBib, which has recently undergone a series of tests by tractor maker, New Holland.

Covered in Tyres & Accessories October 2008 (pp. 104-105), the OmniBib became the newest addition to Michelin’s farm-based product range when it was launched at the Poing experimental farm, near Munich, Germany. The tyre aims to become the all-purpose product in the range for machinery with between 70 and 180 hp. The flexibility of the casing allows the tyre to run at typically lower pressures, while creating a larger contact area with the earth (Michelin quotes 16 per cent larger than its nearest competitor), meaning an increase in traction. Michelin was very keen to emphasise the tyre’s additional benefits for consistent harvesting, demonstrating that the wider footprint also reduces rutting and soil compaction.

Saving fuel with the XeoBib

Comparative tyre tests were conducted on a New Holland T6070 tractor with a five metre 21 tooth chisel working at a depth of 25 cm. The machine did four passes with Michelin XeoBib tyres fitted and four with Michelin MultiBib tyres; the current reference in 65-series. The results show that the Michelin XeoBib reduces wheel slip by 6.5 per cent and fuel consumption by 10.6 per cent.

The XeoBib is constructed using Michelin’s patented Ultraflex technology. The increased flexibility of the tyre allows it to run on lower pressure, increasing the width of its footprint. This encourages greater soil respect, reducing compaction and rutting, and can therefore lead to increased productivity in an environment where production costs are crucial.

Michelin’s Ultraflex technology is characterised by a new carcass profile which offers a larger sidewall flexing area. This technology enables Michelin to offer agricultural tyres which can perform with the largest deflection rate (percentage of tyre compression under load) on the market, without compromising tyre endurance or service life.

Thanks to a lower operating pressure, the tyre offers better traction and reduced resistance to forward motion in the field. For the customer, this translates into greater working time efficiency and fuel savings.