Michelin Demonstrates Benefits of XeoBib’s “Ultraflex Technology” at Contractor Panel

Michelin’s signature on an agreement to extend its cooperation with agricultural machinery manufacturer Claas was somewhat pre-empted in June when the French tyre giant held its Agricultural Contractor Panel (MACP) in association with Claas, using the latter company’s UK base on Saxham Business Park in Bury St Edmonds, Suffolk. Tyres & Accessories saw the panel meet for its tractor in field fuel saving workshop, where Michelin demonstrated the importance of the correct tyre choice, proper tyre maintenance and the benefits offered by the company’s XeoBib tyre, which has been developed using the company’s patented “Ultraflex” technology for “larger farming and contracting operations”. In terms of cost and environmental pressures, fuel preservation is one factor constantly near the forefront of many businesses, especially as a potential route to improving profitability and productivity.

According to Michelin, Ultraflex technology – which is present in both the AxioBib and XeoBib – has been integrated for extra flexibility in the sidewall, which allows agricultural machinery to “carry the same load at a lower pressure or carry a heavier load at the same pressure”. Achieved through the higher rate of deflection (or the percentage rate of the flexing of the tyre under the weight), Michelin was able to demonstrate the performance achieved by the tyre in a tractor ploughing demonstration in comparison with the more conventional AgriBib. Using the same machinery, the MACP set up a conventional AgriBib tyre (rear: 520/85R42, front: 420/85R30) and an Ultraflex-equipped XeoBib (rear: VF710/60R42, front: VF600/60R30) for this first workshop. The AgriBibs showed a psi of 25 and 21 respectively, while the XeoBibs were at 12 and 9.

The results of the short ploughing activity carried out on the demonstration area were shown on a roof top display as the tractors proceeded. Each run yielded similar plough draught loading, at a force of around 55kN. Radar measurement of true forward speed showed an advantage to the tractor fitted with the XeoBib of 700m per hour – the AgriBib showed 6.82kmh, while the XeoBib reached 7.52kmh. There was significantly less wheel-slip too: the MACP measured 14 per cent on the AgriBib, but only 9.22 per cent with the XeoBib.

But what does this mean for fuel efficiency? Michelin used a digital fuel meter to show the tractor fitted with the AgriBibs consumed 12.76 litres per hectare, while the XeoBib reduced this figure by over a litre – 11.61 litre/hectare. In terms of operational efficiency, the panel compared the d/bar power of the AgriBib-and XeoBib-fitted tractor with the fuel consumption. This yielded 3.42kWh/litre on the AgriBib; a figure the XeoBib raised to 3.65kWh/litre. The XeoBib’s Ultraflex technology also reduced the depth of ruts in the field, reducing their depth by up to 55 per cent through their larger footprint area. On a hard surface, the XeoBib had a footprint of 4312 square centimetres, while the AgriBib’s was 3024sqcms. The increased deflection allowed the tractor to dig into the field less, thus reducing soil compaction and increasing the area for the crop yield. Michelin also claims the durability of the tyres is unaffected through the extra deflection achieved by the XeoBib.

In addition to the ploughing test, the MACP demonstrated the fuel-saving and draught loading potential of fitting its CargoXBib trailer and implement carry axle tyre. In the first test a tractor fitted with the XeoBib ploughed across trailer-compacted demonstration plots; one that had been compacted by a conventional trailer tyre, the other with a CargoXBib flotation tyre. The CargoXBib plot showed
a fuel saving potential (from a reduction in plough draught & d/bar power requirement) of 13.5 per cent (6 litres/hectare versus 6.96 on the conventional plot.

Finally, the MACP demonstrated the flotation tyre on trailers in the field. The CargoXBib in size 560/60R22.5 required 32psi, while the 385/65R22.5 conventional tyre was inflated to 90psi. In addition to the large increase in footprint area (3300sqcm versus 1520sqcm) and the reduction in wheel rut depth (165mm versus 240mm), MACP showed the ability of the CargoXBib to reduce tractor draught loading and fuel consumption, with the demonstration showing a 45.8 per cent reduction in fuel consumption.

Related News:

• Michelin and Claas Sign Cooperation Agreement
• Michelin Commences Cooperation Agreement with AGCO Corporation
• Michelin Agri Range Designed to Offer Greater Productivity