Boasting ‘exceptional’ flotation properties to enable easier travel on wet soil, Titan’s exclusive low sidewall technology is now available in supersize, following the UK launch of the largest agriculture tyre in the world. CPM treads in on the discussion.
“The shorter sidewall reduces flex, delivering smoother transport, less bounce and safer handling at higher speeds.” SCOTT SLOAN
By Janine Adamson
While engaging total beast mode isn’t for all farms, even the largest machines in the business deserve something a little finessed from time to time…
And right on cue, in rolls the largest agriculture tyre in the world, recently given the green light to be used in Britain and Europe. However, while its size may be giant, its performance is altogether quite refined.
This is because to take full advantage of increased horsepower and greater load capability, it all comes down to the correct wheel and tyre assembly. For those at the bigger end of the scale, this could mean the LSW1400/30R46 from Titan, parent company of Goodyear Farm Tires.
Designed for the largest-scale vehicles in farming, the LSW1400/30R46 boasts the firm’s exclusive low sidewall (LSW) technology. The main benefit of this is exceptional floatation properties, achieved through a larger rim diameter and smaller sidewall than a conventional type, explains Titan’s LSW specialist, Scott Sloan.
“LSW technology is a unique innovation designed to enhance tractor performance in the field and on the road. The shorter sidewall reduces flex, delivering smoother transport, less bounce and safer handling at higher speeds. Then, the reduced power hop minimises vibration under high torque, improving traction and reducing stress on driveline components,” he adds.
In terms of the tyre’s impact on the ground, Scott notes that its larger footprint lowers ground pressure, which helps to protect soil structure and optimise crop yields. “Equally, enhanced flotation and traction allow machinery to operate more effectively on wet soils in particular, and enter fields sooner in the season,” he says.
Because the tyres are specifically designed for heavy machines, they support higher loads without compromising field or transport performance, highlights Scott. Equally, operator comfort matters too. “Reduced vibration lowers operator fatigue and enables more consistent, efficient working.”
Available in a range of sizes, the current most popular LSW combination sold in the UK is the Optitrac LSW1100/45R46 rear with LSW1000/45R32 front. While the supercharged LSW1400/30R46 is unlikely to appeal to many, Goodyear Farm Tires is looking forward to having the conditions required to put them to the test, says marketing manager Natalie Dukes.
“The LSWs are a true flagship of the Goodyear Farm Tires offering, and to have approval for the European market for the biggest tyre of them all is fantastic.
“Those farmers who have the machinery to utilise the LSW1400/30R46 will see a long list of unrivalled benefits, with the size and scale of the tyre combining with the exceptional technology of the LSW,” she comments.
LSW tyres are engineered and sold as complete wheel and tyre assemblies, purpose-built by Titan. According to Natalie, they’ve proven a huge success for farmers across the world. “Operating at up to 40% lower inflation pressures than standard tyres, they should help to reduce potential soil compaction,” she adds.
At the moment, the dry arid weather experienced across the UK hasn’t been conducive to farmers exploring tyres for inclement conditions. However, if the situation does turn wet, Natalie believes Goodyear has the solution, particularly with the largest of its tyres.
This is because the LSW1400/30R46 also boasts the deep R-2 tread, part of the Custom Flo Grip line, which spreads machine weight across a wider footprint to help prevent sinking and damage. “With the Custom Flo Grip, this is a self-cleaning tread action promoted by 45o tread lug angles. It’s ideally positioned for applications where there are heavy, wet soil conditions,” explains Scott.
“Custom Flo Grip brings the best of both worlds in terms of flotation and traction, as well as smooth roading.”
For one Goodyear Farm Tires customer, the LSW technology has been ‘game changing’. Running a combination of LSW1250/35R46 on the rear and LSW1000/45R32 on the front of the farm’s largest tractor, James Peck of P.X. Farms says it’s all about minimising compaction and subsequent yield loss.
“We’re working with controlled traffic farming (CTF) and want to run 12m-wide drilling equipment, hence we require a big horsepower tractor. But to tread lightly, this meant finding a manufacturer that could produce wide tyres,” he explains.
“With LSW, suddenly it meant a heavy tractor could essentially be lighter and more multipurpose across the farm. We use a tine drill to minimise disturbance in wetter conditions, and these tyres allow us to achieve that goal.”
For James, the point of CTF is to reduce compaction across the farming area, which he believes is directly equating to improved margins. “It’s a complete game-changer; we have full confidence in this technology,” he concludes.
This article was taken from the latest issue of CPM. Read the article in full here.
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