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Progressive Traction technology sees an innovative tread lug design, with a 160% increase in comfort over tracks.
While the last fifty years has seen massive evolution and development of the humble tractor tyre, the last two decades have seen its weaknesses addressed with the arrival of rubber track systems.
The concept offers less damage to the soil, increased traction and potentially higher operating speeds, but in most cases, the configuration of the systems doesn’t lend itself to the orchard or vineyard sectors, where narrow rows and often sloping terrain cause issues.
Trelleborg has addressed the problem of protecting the topsoil and reducing damage to tree roots or vines with its PneuTrac hybrid system, said to offer the advantages of rubber tracks, with reduced overall width and less lateral slippage.
The design of PneuTrac sees the traditional tyre sidewall changed to Cup Wheel Technology, with the ability to carry loads, flexibility and importantly an increase in footprint of around 10% for a similar sized conventional tyre, which helps to reduce soil compaction.
Progressive Traction technology sees an innovative tread lug design, with a wide lug base increasing traction by up to 6%, stability, particularly on slopes, improved self-cleaning capability, a 60% improvement in handling and steering, as well as a 160% increase in comfort over tracks.
Trelleborg notes that PneuTrac is around 20% lighter than typical track systems and is efficient over the whole contact area, unlike tracks, which deliver the best results at the rear of the assembly, ensuring there is a more even distribution of traction and a reduction in soil damage.
One impressed user of PneuTrac tyres is Ross Tanner of Tanner Spraying, contractors based in Katikati. Having run the system on his New Holland tractor since 2022, Ross comments, “the PneuTrac tyres mean I can go places I couldn’t go to before and with much less mess”.
“We strongly believe that Pneu- Trac is a game changer for the NZ viticulture market, demonstrating a commitment to sustainable farming by helping to protect some of our most valuable agricultural assets,” says Mark Prentice, national sales manager for TRS Tyre & Wheel Ltd.
“With the roots of vines susceptible to damage, the system helps preserve the structure of the topsoil by reducing lateral machine slippage that could easily be a disaster for both the soil and roots,” says Mark.
PneuTrac is available in VF sizes 280/70R18, 280/70R20, 420/70R28 and 480/65R28.
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With the biannual Italian EIMA machinery Expo less than a month away, Case IH has taken out a Technical Evolution award for the Advanced Vehicle Suspension system available on its Optum 360–440 series tractors.
The Advanced Vehicle Suspension system, available on Optum 360, 390, and 440 models, responds to changing conditions, automatically adjusting how the suspension reacts to absorbs shocks and controlling vehicle movement.
In operation, sensors monitor the vibrations transmitted from the tractor chassis to the operator cabin, allowing the system to adjust suspension damping in real time. The control system incorporates key priorities, such as comfort at lower speeds and stability as speed increases, while also reacting to factors such as lower tyre pressures, where the tyres absorb more of the initial shock.
Case IH said as suspension requirements change throughout the working day, as tractors move between the paddock and road transport, the system manages suspension response in the background as tasks, speeds and conditions change, leaving the operator without the need to make manual adjustments.
Richard Hollins, Optum series tractors global product manager, said: “Pioneering technology must earn its place in the working day. Farmers and contractors will judge an investment by what it delivers, including manageable ownership costs, dependable up-time and the versatility to tackle different jobs. With AVS, we are putting intelligent control to work for comfort and stability, without giving the operator another setting to manage.”
Organised by FederUnacoma, the Italian Agricultural Machinery Manufacturers Federation, the contest has been part of EIMA since 1986, with the Technical Evolution distinction awarded to products that introduce original improvements to solutions already manufactured or patented.
www.caseih.com
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