Multi-level benefits: New, advanced VF tires for agriculture save both fuel and soil

In the farming business, the choice of tires is just one factor. But VF tires can be one of the small streams that make up a river of productivity. Investing in a quality tire is therefore a technological investment that brings benefits on many levels, including: 

• working efficiency 

• fuel savings 

• faster road transitions 

• keeping the soil productive 

• long tire life 

 

By choosing the right tire for the right need, you can help build a sustainable agricultural sector that ultimately benefits everyone. In this article, I will explain in more detail what VF tires are all about and the benefits they offer. 

  

VF tires – What are they and what are they not? 

When talking about VF tires, it is important to remember that VF is not a "technology" but a standard. The European Tire and Rim Technical Organisation (ETRTO) has agreed on a set of common rules and practices so that, for example, the load capacity of a VF tire is always calculated in a comparable way, regardless of the manufacturer. 

The load capacity per unit of pressure is therefore a key element of the VF standard and is typically 30–40% higher than for tire based on conventional agricultural radial tire standard. However, the standard does not specify how this should be implemented technologically, so each manufacturer develops tires to the standard according to their own criteria. 

The VF standard allows a wider range of tire pressures. In practice, the lower operating pressure allows the tire to compress efficiently to maximize ground contact, resulting the machines weight to distribute on larger contact area, keeping the soil fluffier and improving traction. 

However, the standard does not make low pressure operation mandatory, and when driving on the road, it is still worth increasing the pressure to improve stability and further reduce rolling resistance. Still, the VF tire can also withstand transitional driving at lower pressures than a typical agricultural radial tire. 

  

Controlled stretching for improved soil contact area

In its standard, ETRTO defines a sizing range for the nominal size of tractor traction tires, with an upper limit on the diameter and width of the tire. This means that even tires of the same nominal size can be of different dimension in width and diameter within certain limits.  

As the large size provides more contact area, the most advanced VF tires are designed closer to the upper limit of the size range. Stretching while use is controlled by advanced structural and material technology enabled by state-of-the-art manufacturing processes.  

 

Rolling resistance guzzles fuel  

With typical agricultural tires, lower tire pressure means greater tire deformation which adds to higher rolling resistance, heat build-up and tire wear. With advanced VF tires, these adverse effects can be avoided. 

The effect of rolling resistance on fuel consumption is not marginal: for example, a 38% increase in rolling resistance increases fuel consumption by 5%. With a fairly typical consumption of 25 liters per hour, this equals 1.25 liters per hour. In other words, it takes 22.5 liters from a 450-liter tank to overcome the rolling resistance. 

The design of a tire, i.e. the choice of material, shape and structure, has a major influence on the amount of harmful thermal expansion that occurs. A low-pressure tire requires specific tire technology know-how to control energy loss and its negative effects. In this way, tire deformation is carried out with high efficiency and its benefits are achieved with a minimum of inconvenience. 

The new Nokian Tyres Soil King VF tire has an exceptionally low rolling resistance thanks to the advanced Flexforce technology. 

 

Discover the Nokian Tyres Soil King VF tire 

 

 

More yield, less energy loss 

The lower surface pressure of VF tires significantly reduces the compaction, which weakens soil structure. In other words, soil porosity is better maintained for plant vitality when the soil is not compacted because the space needed for water, nutrients and plant roots is in the soil pores. 

Ground pressure also causes topsoil damage and resistive force as the tire is forced to push the topsoil in front of it. The resistive effect of pushing is equivalent to driving uphill all the time. 1 cm of soil compaction increases energy loss by 10%. Therefore, lower surface pressure on soft ground also has the effect of reducing energy loss.  

  

Let's not forget the handling 

Drivability is an important part of overall performance. However, it is well known that lower tire pressure usually reduces tire stability. For example, driving a tractor with large implements on narrow country roads can be downright scary when reduced visibility is combined with difficulty staying in lane. Then you must slow down, wasting time on unproductive work. 

Read user experiences with VF tires  
  

I have been involved in the development of the Nokian Tyres Soil King VF tire from the very beginning, with the aim of minimizing the negative effects of low tire pressure on drivability. That is why it has been great to hear from end users how the tractor has maintained good drivability even with less than 1 bar of tire pressure and heavy seed drills in front and behind. 

  

 

Writer 

Tero Saari  

Senior Product Manager  

  

Questions about VF tires?  

Contact: [email protected]