Michelin launches SprayBib CFO

A new generation of Michelin tyres for self-propelled sprayers enables load capacities to increase by up to 13.5 per cent at speeds as high as 30 km/h or 18.5 mph. The Michelin SprayBib CFO introduces the Cyclical Field Operation standard to the VF range, and UK customers will be able to obtain this successor to the SprayBib in 12 sizes by December 2022.

Michelin claims SprayBib CFO offers farmers and contractors improvements in three key areas:

Productivity

As mentioned, fitting SprayBib CFO increases load capacities at cyclic field operations. A reinforced casing design also allows added axle loads of up to 1.3 tonnes, depending on tyre size.

When comparing SprayBib CFO against the prior generation SprayBib (in size VF 380/90 R46), Michelin found that the new tyre’s optimised footprint improves traction by up to 20 per cent.

On-road speed capability is also enhanced, with some sizes available in an E speed rating for use at up to 43 mph or 70 km/h.

Like its predecessor, Michelin says SprayBib CFO offers superb longevity thanks to wide, robust tread lugs – and is also equipped with far more lugs than a standard sprayer tyre.

Soil Protection

Due to its advanced casing design which combines VF (very high flexion) and CFO standards, the operating pressures can be reduced to 0.7 bar for cyclic use to reduce soil compaction. For smaller sprayers, Michelin SprayBib CFO can operate at pressures as low as 0.8 bar, whereas the first generation SprayBib starts at a minimum of 1.8 bar (depending on size).

Driver Comfort

Low-pressure operating capabilities that are up to 0.7 bar lower than the non-CFO predecessor combines with a VF casing design to minimise the levels of vibration transmitted to the driver.

New size: VF 420/90 R34 174D/170E

Small self-propelled sprayers are often fitted with the tyre size VF 420/85 R34, but Michelin notes that this dimension “very quickly reaches its limits in load capacity.” The SprayBib CFO range includes the new VF 420/90 R34 tyre size, which Michelin says will benefit operators with either increased load capacity or a soil-protecting lower inflation pressure, depending on their specific needs.

Meet evolving expectations

“Self-propelled sprayer manufacturers are developing models with increasingly large tank volumes of up to 10,000 litres, and boom widths that can exceed 50 metres. As a result, the loads carried by the tyres are getting ever bigger,” comments Gordon Brookes, Michelin’s customer engineering support manager. “In addition, the demands on the tyre are very high due to increased road work. The new Michelin SprayBib CFO range will allow us to accentuate the benefits of the existing tyres in this category that we have on the market, and to meet rapidly evolving user expectations.”

When compared against its predecessor, the optimised footprint of the VF 380/90 R46 SprayBib CFO have up to 20% better traction (Photo: Michelin)