VF Technology Fuel Savings

VF TECHNOLOGY Fuel Savings

BKT USA, Inc.
Dave Paulk:  Manager Field Technical Services

VF Technology Fuel Savings
VF rated tires carry 40% more weight than a standard tire at the same air pressure. They can also carry the same load as a standard tire at 40% lower air pressure. The VF tire is a good option to consider if no till/minimum till is used on the farm. Air pressure dictates the ground bearing pressure of a tire. The lower air pressure needed, the less ground bearing pressure on the soil. The more air, the greater the ground bearing pressure that is applied. VF tires provide a larger footprint to reduce slippage, minimize soil compaction and save fuel. At times, the weight carrying capacity and speed rating of a VF tire is needed. For heavy tractors, sprayers, and other equipment, the VF tire is the best choice to consider. Also, if less air pressure is desired for field work, the VF rated tire is the better choice.

Maxam Tire International
Greg W. Gilland:  Business Development & Ag Segment Manager

Michelin Ag
David Graden: Operational Market Manager – Agriculture

VF Technology
Make it a VF tire and you have significantly improved performance, as they are designed to carry same weight at 40% less air pressure. Less slip translates to improved productivity and, therefore, less fuel is consumed to do the job.

In fact, independent studies at Harper Adams University in the UK show fuel consumption can be reduced by 10% simply by changing to VF Tires, as shown in below example:

Yokohama Off-Highway Tires America, Inc.
Blaine Cox: National Product Manager—Agriculture, Golf and Turf

The most important decision is inflation pressure. Here’s why: when manufacturers design a tire, we determine how much its sidewalls will flex in order to create a contact patch with an optimal size and shape. Too much inflation pressure means less contact patch, more slip, and less engine power turned into forward speed. That all adds up to more fuel consumption.

Properly Inflated Optimized Footprint

In practical terms, we can be talking about a lot of fuel. In fact, scientists at the University of California, Davis found that correctly inflating tractor radials (in their example, 13 psi front/11 psi rear rather than overinflated at 24 psi) reduced fuel consumption by 20%.

Selecting the right tire can pay off in lower fuel bills. Because IF and VF tires have added flex in their sidewalls, longer and wider contact patches, and can operate at lower inflation pressure, they improve fuel economy over standard radials.

Trelleborg Wheel Systems
Chris Neidert: Marketing, Training and Development Manager – AG

VF TECHNOLOGY

VF technology has been around for several years, and it has two main advantages – using less air pressure (up to 40%), see footprint impact above, or being able to carry more load (up to 40%). Let’s talk about how you might use them. Our tire size is 710/60R34.

 Less Air Pressure

What I have observed in North America is we tend to go with the less air pressure feature. This creates a bigger footprint and has many benefits.

• Less compaction – crop roots can spread out and create a higher yield.
• More traction – more tire on the ground translates to more lugs on the ground which gives more traction. Less slip in the field, less time to complete your work and less tire spinning means less fuel consumption.
• More sidewall flex means a smoother ride.

Firestone Ag
Austin Fischer: Firestone Ag Field Engineer

Products to Further Reduce Fuel Consumption

The bigger the tractor or implement, the more important it is to make sure it’s riding on the right tire. The wrong tires can decrease fuel economy and potentially lower yields due to increased compaction.

Two options available to farmers to enhance fuel cost reduction include upgrading to increased flexion (IF) and very high flexion (VF) tires. When switching from standard to IF/VF, growers can increase efficiency up to 4%. Those using bias tires can experience an increase in efficiency up to 14% when upgrading to radial tires, which also provide better tire longevity and fuel economy as well as reduced soil compaction.

• Upgrade to IF/VF tires: IF and VF tires offer elongated footprints by either permitting the same load at a lower inflation pressure or a higher load at the same inflation pressure. In turn, this extended footprint increases the contact area between the tread lugs and the soil, improving the ability to transmit the torque of the machine to the soil without slip. This equals better fuel economy and less time in the field due to decreased slippage and increased traction. Per unit of fuel, growers should be able to travel further and get out of the field sooner than they would otherwise.
  • IF tires can carry up to 20% more load than a standard radial at a given inflation pressure—or they can carry the same load (as a standard radial) at a lower inflation pressure.
  • VF tires can carry up to 40% more load than a standard radial at a given inflation pressure—or the same load (as a standard radial) at a lower inflation pressure.

All information is provided in this blog solely to provoke thought. All deductions made from information on this site must be confirmed by Certified Ag Tire Dealer before use. Ag Tire Talk does not recommend anyone conduct tire service work with exception of Certified Ag Tire Dealer Professionals.