Tyres (I). Michelin Ultraflex

Some few weeks ago we visited the "Tracks & Tires Farming Tour" event Michelin is holding across Europe. This time, we travelled to the New Holland Campus (Peñarubias del Pirón - Segovia), where we spent a very pleasant afternoon and we were able to learn a lot about different agricultural solutions such as tyres with MICHELIN Ultraflex Technology, PTG tele-inflation systems or CAMSO rubber tracks solutions. 

Many factors besides price have to be taken into account when buying agricultural tyres, which in many cases will tip the balance in favour of one tyre or another. Factors such as load and speed coefficients, dimensions (width, rim, etc.) allowed on the tractor as well as non-technical conditions such as the work to be carried out (pulling tasks, transport tasks, etc.), soil conditions and orography, etc. are fundamental factors to be taken into account when choosing the right tyres. 

At the workshop with Michelin, we were able to see Michelin's wide range of agricultural tyres and we were able to see the VF (Ultraflex) range in action, which allows working pressures ranging from 0.6 bar to 2.5 bar. One of the tests executed was the performance of the AXIOBIB 2 VF tyre depending on the different pressures. The test was carried out with two different pressure configurations, as follows: 

1. VF tyres front at 1.2 bar and rear at 1.5 bar. 
2. VF tyres front at 0.6 bar and rear at 0.9 bar. 

It was easy to see that with the first configuration, traction and speed varied by zones depending on slip and also the time to complete the route and the fuel consumption was higher than with the second pressure configuration, where we saw more traction with less slip and better fuel consumption. 

The tyre pressure change is made possible by the TPG tele-inflation system. It is connected to the tractor as an ISOBUS implement and allows you to change tyre pressures very easily and safely. According to Michelin specialists, correct tyre inflation results in fuel savings of 10%, 4% more productivity due to less slippage and 30% more traction. If we extrapolate these figures to a high number of working hours, the tele-inflation system is really interesting for medium and high power tractors (even though the system costs around €30,000). If you don't have a tele-inflation system on your tractor, the ideal situation is to have a pressure of 1.3 bar for the front tyres and 1.5 bar for the rear tyres... it's an inefficient solution, but in the worst circumstances this is the best solution. 

Finally, we looked at the options CAMSO company offers in terms of rubber tracks. These tracks can be fitted to any tractor, and are designed for tractors working in extreme traction conditions (muddy terrain, heavy pulling work, etc.), practically eliminating skidding, as well as eliminating the need for pressure checks and possible punctures. 

Versión en español.

Soil preparation (I). DF 8280 TTV Agrotron

Once the harvest is over, it is time to start new tasks in the fields to allow us to launch the new cereal and pulse vegetables campaign. Then, it is necessary to prepare the soil in the best possible conditions with the a a seedbed that will help the seed to germinate as quickly as possible. Stubble harrowing is a task that can be done in September and October, so there is a lot of time to do it very well. 

On this occasion, we were able to visit a field in Caleruega (Burgos) to see the new Deutz-Fahr 8280 TTV Agrotron, which was harrowing a vetch stubble that had been mowed for haying, so we spent a super fun afternoon testing with the "big one" 8280 TTV Agrotron together with the cultivator, which if the tractor was big the implement was even bigger, from the Catalan manufacturer Gaher Metalic. Our sensations were fantastic... the most important ones could be: 

A big tractor that moved like a small one. 

• Extraordinary pulling capacity with an implement that is even made for higher horsepower tractors. 
• Comfort in the cab both in the field and in transport works. 
• Very good visibility from the driving position. 
• Very accurate and easy-to-use auto guidance. 

As regarding the tractor's features, we leave you a summary of the most important ones, although you can get to know it completely in its brochure: 

• DEUTZ TTCD 6.4 L4 engine with 6,057 cm3 of 6 cylinders (Stage V) and bi-turbo. 
• Maximum power: 287 HP.   
• Maximum torque: 1,226 Nm at 1,500 r.p.m. 
• Fuel tank capacity of 505 litres and 35 litres of adBlue. 
• New stepless gearbox SDF 7780. 
• Maximum speed: 60km/h at 1.830 r.p.m., 50 km/h at 1.535 r.p.m. y 40 km/h a 1.220 r.p.m.      
• Pneumatic cab suspension and front axle hydro-pneumatic suspension. 
• Lifting force rear of 11,000 kg (front lift of 5,450 kg). 
• PTO speed: 540E/1000/1000E. 
• Pump flow rate of 210 l/min (close centre with load sensing) con 10 electronic rear valves and 4 electronic front valves. 
• 90 litres of extractable oil. 
• Turning angle: 52º. 
• Wheelbase: 2,918 mm.   
• Effective load: 6,000 kg. 
• Net Weight: 10,200 kg. 
• #AlwaysOnTrack. Equipped with SDF Guidance and SDF Fleet Management. 

In conclusion, a high-powered tractor whose sales evolution in Spain will be really interesting from the point of view of machinery specialists. Surely SDF knows how to adjust the price, as it does with many other models, and we will see many DF 8280 TTV Agrotron in our fields... we will be vigilant and looking forward to working with it again. 

Versión en español.