Scientific Data for Farmers’ Enthusiasm

Study confirms economic revenues of using Alliance VF tires / Scientific input highly valued by Yokohama ATG Tires’ Alliance brand / Top value for money with Alliance 372 VF radial tractor tires / Additional sizes of Agri Star II provide even broader basis for end users’ satisfaction /

Yokohama ATG Tires (Y-ATG) set up a joint press event with TAMA and Topcon to highlight two of the company’s outstanding tire solutions for farmers and contractors – the Alliance 372 VF and the Agri Star II. During the press briefing and a field demo in Maastricht on 25^th May 2022, latest company news, results of a recent scientific study in Denmark as well as customer feedback were presented. “We highly value and appreciate scientific input from independent parties such as SEGES Innovation in Denmark, and we indeed appreciate consistently positive results. Whilst scientific evaluations are an indispensable element of any tire development at Y-ATG and Alliance, receiving confirmation from the field that our products deliver as planned – or even better – is truly encouraging”, highlighted Angelo Noronha, President Europe at ‎Yokohama ATG Tires.

Measurable benefits for farmers

Henning Sjørslev Lyngvig, Senior Specialist, Agricultural Machinery Crops & Environment at SEGES Innovation, who accompanied and evaluated the field trials in Denmark, briefly outlined the experiment: conventional tires with an inflation pressure of 2.2–2.5 bar (tractor) and 3.0 bar (liquid manure spreader) were used in the ‘conventional tire plots’ whilst Alliance 372 VF on the tractor and Alliance 389 VF on the liquid manure spreader – both with an inflation pressure of 1.0 bar – were used in the ‘VF tire plots’. Dimensions of conventional and VF tires were identical. “The low inflation pressure of the Alliance VF tires cut the track depth during the application of liquid manure in half – from 79 to 45mm. At the same time, wheel slip was reduced by 4.4 percent. When we measured soil density with a penetrometer, we were able to show lower soil compaction in the ‘VF tire tracks’ at a depth of 0 to 40 cm. This effect was even significant at a depth of 20 to 25cm”, reported Henning Sjørslev Lyngvig.

According to these independent results, and as further proof of the positive effects, the maize yields in the tracks on ‘VF tire plots’ exceeded those in the tracks on the ‘conventional tire plots’ significantly by about 12.9 harvest units per hectare, i.e. by about 10 percent. The conclusion of Henning Sjørslev Lyngvig was unambiguous: “In sum – and depending on the working width of the liquid manure spreader – the measured effects translate to measurable benefits for farmers in terms of yield increases between 1.5 and 2.2 percent per hectare, and calculated profit gains due to higher yields and reduced tire slippage in the ‘VF tire plots’ between 21.8 and 32 EUR per hectare. When farmers use these tires on a 100-hectare field, they will achieve savings of several thousand euros. Moreover, the experiment showed that VF tires reduced the wheel slip by 4,4 percent, and this will undoubtedly lead to additional fuel savings.”

This Danish study further supports an earlier French study by IRSTEA (Institut national de recherche en sciences et technologies pour l’environnement et l’agriculture) in 2020 on key characteristics of the Alliance 372 VF. With great results with regard to fuel efficiency, traction, slip in soft soil and footprint, the Alliance 372 VF was a clear match for a comparable premium competitor’s tire and outperformed all competitors’ premium IF tires.

Holistic approach

On the occasion of the press event, the Alliance 372 VF was also demonstrated in the field of a nearby farm. Gerrit Vinkers, Customer Quality Improvement and Application Specialist at Y-ATG, explained the manufacturer’s holistic approach to soil conservation that covers the entire tractor-trailer or tractor-implement combination: “The positive effects of tractor tires with VF technology that were developed and introduced by Y-ATG’s Alliance brand in recent years are undisputed. And yet, in practice, they will be annihilated when tractors with VF tires are followed by trailers or implements with standard tires, featuring an inflation pressure of 2 to 4 bar in the field. If, however, the entire machinery combination is equipped with VF tires, involving tires like the Alliance A389 VF-IMP that is capable of inflation pressures down to 0.8 bar in the field, this will bring decisive benefits in terms of lower impacts on the soil – and resulting higher yields!”

Convincing customer feedback

In addition to Alliance 372 VF, the unique Agri Star II radial tractor tire is particularly popular with customers. With 12 additional sizes a total of 70 sizes is now available throughout Y-ATG’s distribution network across Europe. “We can see with pride that our customers in different countries, highly appreciate and value the Agri Star II and give very positive feedback via our field engineers, representatives and distribution partners”, said Angelo Noronha and continued: “We are particularly pleased that they recognise clear advantages when comparing the Agri Star II to tires of other brands that they used previously. Traction, durability and stability being at the top of the list of characteristics that are mentioned – and particularly appreciated – by owners and operators.”

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About Yokohama ATG Tires: 

Yokohama ATG Tires (Y-ATG) specializes in the design, development, manufacturing and marketing of Agriculture, Forestry, Construction, Industrial, Earthmoving, Mining and Port and other commercial tires. Y-ATG owns the world-renowned brands Alliance, Galaxy and Primex and is present in over 120 countries. With a diverse product portfolio that includes more than 4000 SKUs, Y-ATG is well-known for its ability to offer customers, both aftermarket and OEM, with superior quality application-specific and purpose-built tires.

 Press contact:

Elena Bounimovitch
Communications, PR & Social Media Manager Europe
ebounimovitch@yokohama-atg.com