Potato farmer reselects original Michelin YieldBib sprayer tyre

FG Pryor & Son has chosen to fit a new set of Michelin YieldBib tyres on its Bateman RB35 sprayer. The tyre in size VF 380/85 R34 149A8/B TL was the original equipment fitment for the sprayer, primarily used to support potato and cereal crops on Colwyn Farm, in Truro, Cornwall. Michelin Exelagri dealer Geoffrey Harris Tyres supplies and fits the replacement tyres. “We have found the YieldBibs to perform really well for us and we had no hesitation in going back for another set,” says Warwick Pryor, driver and farmhand at FG Pryor & Son.

Commenting on their performance, he adds: “They have a very high load rating for their size, particularly when you consider how narrow they are. Compared to other tyres of the same size on the market, the YieldBibs travel much better in the tramlines, which helps us to protect the soil and limits the damage to the crops.”

Michelin YieldBib features

YieldBib tyres benefit from patented Ultraflex technology, meaning they can carry the same load as a standard technology tyre, but with up to 40 per cent reduced inflation pressure and without compromising on robustness. They also boast Very High Flexion (VF) casings, giving a 24 per cent larger surface footprint which helps to spread the machine’s weight over a larger surface area for less ground compaction.

To retain optimal tyre performance benefits, the VF 380/85 R34 149A8/B TL YieldBib can carry up to 3,250 kg per tyre, working at a maximum speed of 50 km/h, when inflated to 23 psi. Other key features include stubble-deflecting lugs and an anti-stubble belt in the tread area, designed to strengthen the main zone at risk of damage caused by stubble, bolstering the tyres’ durability.

“The YieldBib tyres give a really comfortable ride both in the field and on the road,” explains Pryor. “We’ve used competitor tyres of the exact same size on other sprayers in the past and they just seem to disturb the ground and damage the crops more than the YieldBibs.

“We’ve run a lot of Michelin tyres over the years; it’s a quality brand, so you know what you’re going to get and the level of service we receive from Geoffrey Harris Tyres has always been first class. We utilised their latest cashback offer to purchase this latest set, so it’s great value for money.”

Liskeard-based Geoffrey Harris Tyres is a longstanding member of the Michelin Exelagri network. This recognises dealers’ agricultural tyre expertise, requiring a rigorous quality audit for membership. Michelin says this ensures Exelagri dealers can offer the support needed to help farmers extract the maximum performance from their tyres. The tyre manufacturer adds that it always advises its customers use this bespoke service to ensure the appropriate tyres are fitted for every individual operation.