Every agricultural business and every farmer have specific needs arising from the type of daily activities they undertake but also from external factors, such as the type of terrain in that particular geographical area. Feedback of such end users has helped BKT develop the Agrimax Fortis radial tyre, designed to fit out high-powered tractors on the rocky terrain that is typical of the area of Valencia in Spain and the Massif Central in France.
The Agrimax Fortis is designed for soil preparation, planting and treatment operations. The tyre provides high traction on difficult terrain and a high flotation capacity, delivering low soil compaction and low rolling resistance, which means fuel saving as well as reduced environmental emissions.
The Agrimax Fortis is designed to meet the challenges of cuts, tears, sharp stones and stress and can also be further reinforced by choosing the ‘special compound’ developed by BKT drawing on the industrial machinery sector. This compound is therefore tougher than usual – around 10 Sh(A) extra – and with better characteristics as regards resistance to punctures and the cut and chip phenomenon.
The product was tested by BKT on rocky Spanish and French terrain covered with debris to assess its resistance in tough conditions where a normal tire is already seriously damaged after 200 hours’ use. From the tests it emerged that after 500 hours’ work, tyres with the special compound are in perfect condition compared to standard tyres which on average require 7 repairs under the same conditions.
“First-hand accounts and feedback from our customers have proven really essential in developing the special compound for Agrimax Fortis,” says Piero Torassa, field engineering manager at BKT. “Each application requires a very specific product: this is why we work so hard to translate the needs of the various agricultural businesses into unique products. But it is not just a question of having greater choice available. Using the right tire is also sustainable and cost-effective since the product life cycle is extended, without therefore needing to replace it, and fuel consumption is reduced.”