The initial results from the Mitas PneuTrac concept field tests show the advantages of its larger footprint and better tractive force over standard but also IF agricultural tires. The footprint of the 600/65 R38 and 480/85R28 PneuTrac is significantly larger than a standard and VF-rated tire. Mitas is conducting field tests in Europe with a John Deere 6150R tractor mounted with 480/65 R28 PneuTrac on the front axle and 600/65 R38 PneuTrac on the rear.
“The results of the first field tests that are under way in Europe give us a good feel for continuing the successful development of the Mitas PneuTrac concept,” said Andrew Mabin, Mitas’ sales and marketing director. “Mitas PneuTrac is not yet commercially available, and we still have some way to go with the R&D development before releasing it, but we are getting closer to a clearer release date being available.”
Besides the footprint, Mitas is also measuring the traction force of its PneuTrac concept. The slippage and traction force is measured under several modes of driving, and the result is the evaluation of traction force under the slippage that normally occurs during regular farm work (about 15%). The results show the traction force of Mitas 600/65 R38 PneuTrac is approximately 25% higher than a standard tire and, compared with an IF-rated tire, PneuTrac delivers approximately 15% better traction. Taking a closer look at the 480/65 R28 PneuTrac, it has approximately 10% advantage in traction force over a standard tire and approximately 7% over the IF tire. The results are based on measurements conducted on July 22, 2015. Measurements are done by the Research Institute of Agricultural Engineering, p.r.i.
“The field tests have so far demonstrated the advantages of PneuTrac over conventional tire designs and confirmed previously released lab test results. The most important PneuTrac benefits are a larger footprint, greater tractive force and also higher lateral stability at a lower inflation pressure when compared with the standard tire,” Mabin added.
Mitas is developing its PneuTrac concept with its partner, Galileo Wheel Ltd. Mitas and Galileo had worked for 4 years to build the PneuTrac concept from an idea, to lab testing and finally to the field demonstration. The tire concept had its public premiere in 2013 at the Agritechnica fair in Germany, where Mitas presented 280/70 R18 PneuTrac and 600/65 R38 PneuTrac. At the SIMA fair in Paris in February 2015, Mitas presented the 480/65 R28 PneuTrac, which was the third size of the concept.
