Michelin adds flotation tyre to SprayBib CFO range

Earlier in 2022 Michelin introduced the SprayBib CFO (Cyclic Field Operation) as successor to the SprayBib. It is now available in 14 sizes, including a new dimension: SprayBib CFO VF710/60R46. Designed for self-propelled sprayers, it is the first very-low-pressure flotation tyre in the SprayBib CFO line-up, and as such the first in the range developed to maximise the footprint so as to prevent soil compaction in the fields and maintain crop yield.

This 2.05 metre-diameter tyre offers high productivity levels, helps to protect the soil, and offers very good stability to sprayers with large-capacity tanks. Ludovic Labeaume, agricultural product category manager at Michelin, shares that the tyre was developed to meet the requirements of equipment users as well as manufacturers awaiting a development. “Their desire was especially warranted as some constructors had already tested prototypes of these tyres on their machines with a view to homologating these as OEM fittings.”

Higher load capacity for greater productivity

The Michelin SprayBib CFO range increases load capacity by up to 14 per cent (compared with a non-CFO tyre) during cyclic operations in the fields, at speeds reaching up to 18.6 mph or 30 km/h. The development of a new casing allows the load per axle to be increased to 1.3 tonnes, depending on tyre dimension.

Developed for use in the fields at even lower inflation pressures, the optimised footprint of the Michelin SprayBib CFO allows for up to 20 per cent more traction (compared with the non-CFO SprayBib in size VF 380/90 R46). The speed capacity is also increased with the introduction of speed index E in some dimensions, accommodating speeds of up to 43 mph or 70 km/h.

Michelin adds that thanks to its crampons, which are wider, more robust, and more numerous than on a standard tyre, the SprayBib CFO range boasts a longer lifespan.

Protecting soil & greater comfort

An advanced casing designed that combines the 40 per cent load to inflation pressure advantage of Very High Flexion (VF) with the CFO standard, which allows a VF tyre to increase cyclic loads by 13.5 per cent at 18.6 mph or 30 km/h, the inflation pressure for the Michelin SprayBib CFO tyre can be lowered to 10.2 psi or 0.7 bar for cyclic use in the fields, in order to reduce soil compaction. For small sprayers, the minimum inflation pressure for the SprayBib CFO is now 11.6 psi or 0.8 bar, as opposed to the 26.1 psi or 1.8 bar for the first generation of SprayBib tyres (depending on dimension).

Thanks to its capacity to operate at a low pressure, which is up to 10.2 psi or 0.7 bar less than its non-CFO predecessor, and to the VF casing design, the Michelin SprayBib CFO also minimises the vibrations passed along to the driver.

Stability at speed

According to Michelin, the new flotation dimension gives self-propelled sprayers and some other specialised machines a high level of stability – an advantage that is of particular benefit when very large capacity tanks are used or during operations on land that is fragile or difficult to work.

As self-propelled sprayers have increasingly large tank volumes of up to 10,000 litres and boom widths that can sometimes exceed 50 metres, these new tyres must be able to carry very heavy loads. At the same time, user demands dictated that the new VF710/60 46 be capable of road speeds of over 31 mph or 50 km/h when permitted by local legislation. Michelin comments that this latest SprayBib CFO dimension allows “rapidly growing user expectations to be met.”

In addition to being available as an aftermarket tyre at Michelin tyres, the SprayBib CFO VF710/60R46 will be an original equipment fitting on AGCO, CNH and even John Deere machines.