Continental has worked with Valtra to develop a radial tractor tire for the agricultural market.
The Finnish agricultural machinery manufacturer will be the first customer with the Tractor70 and Tractor85 tires available on its A Series of tractors from next month.
“For our Nordic customers safety, productivity and comfort on snow-covered and icy ground are critical factors in making a purchase,” explained Marko Ojalehto, product marketing specialist at Valtra.
“Furthermore, our European customers are always looking for new and advanced solutions. This fits exactly with the new range of Continental tires, which provide good on-road driving comfort as well as high traction in the field due to reduced tire pressure.”
Collaborative effort
The launch of the tire follows joint product testing by Continental and Valtra. Even with high tractive forces, both these new radial tires ensure minimal slip and flatter tracks, which is kinder to the ground beneath the tires.
The tire can be fitted in an instant thanks to the innovative bead technology featuring a single wire core and a shortened core profile. The bead design also enables the tires to operate at low pressures and thus prevent ground damage to the greatest possible extent.
A Continental spokesperson said, “Above all else, the Tractor70 and Tractor85 radial tires are characterized by the innovative N.flex technology and a special bead design. The nylon material of the carcass is far more flexible and yet more dimensionally stable than other materials. As a result, it provides better damping as well as a high degree of ride comfort and prevents the temporary deformation of the tire – a ‘flat spot’ – at the start of operations.”
The tires are made in Lousado in Portugal. The new production site was opened last autumn.
