Agricultural
During its Escorts Exclusive 2018 dealers and partners event in September, Indian agricultural machinery manufacturer Escorts Limited presented its first driverless tractor. The Automated Concept Tractor was produced in collaboration with seven technology firms – Microsoft, Reliance Jio, Trimble, Samvardhana Motherson Group, Wabco, Bosch and AVL – and utilises sensor-provided data and applications. Tyres were provided by BKT.
According to Nokian Tyres, global demand for premium heavy tyres is rising and new, larger tyres for bulkier machinery need to be developed. To meet this demand, the tyre maker’s Nokian Heavy Tyres unit will erect a new research and development centre in Nokia, Finland next year.
When Tyrepress.com first saw the Bridgestone VX-Tractor tyre at Agritechnica 2017, the very first of these tyres ever made was on display – and was so new it was still warm to touch upon arrival at the exhibition hall. A year later, and the range is now on the market, targeted at users looking for longer on-road wear life and the ability to carry larger loads.
Apollo Vredestein has added a new tyre to its Vredestein Traxion range. The Traxion 65/70 makes the most of proven Traxion technology to meet the specific requirements of standard and articulated compact tractors such as those frequently used in vineyards, orchards and for municipal services. Apollo Vredestein anticipates that the compact Traxion 65/70 will “set new standards” in traction, stability and wear resistance.
A new app from Trelleborg will be introduced at the EIMA show in Bologna next month. The Trelleborg TLC Plus app is a sensor-based check-up system that measures the potential difference in tyre pressure between the optimum pressure and actual inflation pressure and relays this information wireless to the farmer’s mobile device or computer.
The Vredestein Traxion Optimall tyre range has grown to a total of ten fitments with the addition of seven further sizes. The first of these new sizes will be introduced at the EIMA agricultural show in Bologna next week.
It’s back in the agricultural tyre game and will offer more than 100 agricultural sizes by 2019, however Continental is no newcomer to the business. This year marks the 90th anniversary of the introduction of Continental’s first pneumatic agricultural tyre.
The Trump administration upped the ante once again in the ongoing trade war between the USA and China on 18 September with the introduction of tariffs on all US$200 billion of imports including basically all categories of tyres, retreads and inner tubes. At President Trump’s direction the additional tariffs will initially be set at 10 per cent and will take effect on 24 September 2018. However, as of 1 January 2019, the level of additional tariffs will increase to 25 per cent.
Yet another sports sponsorship for BKT – following on from the start of its Serie B and Coupe de la Ligue title sponsorships in Italy and France, the off-highway tyre specialist has entered into a partnership with the KFC Big Bash League (BBL) cricket league in Australia. BKT has signed an agreement with governing body Cricket Australia that secures its status as off-highway tyre supplier to the Twenty20 cricket league for three years.
East of England-based tyre wholesaler RH Claydon has expanded its business with the acquisition of agricultural, industrial and specialist tyre wholesaler Unity Tyre.
The first STARCO Alptrak released 10 years ago was designed for traction on turf and other terrain. Back then, nobody had foreseen that this pattern would be later tested for the Saudi Arabian market, together with STARCO’s key customer Avant Tecno. Both jointly developed the Alptrak for desert use.
“Our machines are initially not designed for sandy conditions like in Saudi Arabia. However, we have learned that by adjusting the wheel and tyre solution, we can make our multipurpose loaders perform just as well in sandy conditions, as they do in snow, mud or on dry surfaces,” explains Raul Tsili, Purchasing Manager at Avant Tecno.
As of next month, the Valtra A Series tractor will be available with Continental tyres as original equipment. AGCO’s homologation of the Tractor70 and Tractor85 hands Continental its very first agricultural tyre original equipment approval since its return to the segment late last year. Continental agricultural tyres are already available from Valtra Unlimited Studio, the manufacturer’s in-house customisation workshop that fits accessories and equipment not available directly from the production line.
Logistic service provider ATL officially opened ‘ATL Midlands Hub’ in Foston on 6 September 2018 to celebrate its recently built high-spec distribution centre and office facility.
To commemorate the opening, the Rt Hon Greg Clark MP, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, officially opened the 35,000 pallet distribution centre and offices, in attendance of over 100 local dignitaries, suppliers and customers.
Soltyre’s Brechin branch has joined Michelin’s pan-European Exelagri network. Soltyre’s first centre in Dumfries previously gained Exelagri accreditation in 2013, and its new Brechin depot passed the 48-point Michelin audit months after opening in January of this year.
Chiltern-based Kensham Farms specified a second set of Michelin AxioBib tractor tyres after a first set showed grip and longevity above expectations. The first set of IF 600/70 R30 and IF 800/70 R38 tyres were fitted as original equipment on a John Deere 8360R tractor purchased as new in 2013.
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