Get Out of a Rut with Your Agriculture Equipment

It’s no secret that soil compaction by agricultural machinery is a primary component of damage in the field. Driving over the same spaces creates ruts and shear, which can take a toll on quality of the soil, water content, and production. Ruts can plague your bottom line, allowing nothing to grow, and cause water stagnation which can spread disease and asphyxiate plants. This, in turn, affects agronomic yield and wastes unnecessary time to re-plow and de-compact.

Agriculture experts often weigh the pros and cons of using equipment with tires vs. equipment with tracks, and the cost is often the biggest factor. In fact, the lifespan of a tractor with tracks can cost 24% more before seeing a return on investment, and without the versatility.

What can the agriculture industry do to prevent these issues, and stop field damage caused by heavy machinery? The simple solution is investing in versatile tires that work just as well on hard surfaces and provide safer traction in the field, like Michelin Ultraflex Technologies.

With the right tire, your tractors get increased stability and handling in both environments, while being virtually maintenance free. Seals will regularly last 10,000 work hours, which means fewer things you need to worry about. Better flotation while in the field means reduced ruts and erosions, and a larger footprint means higher fuel savings. Tires can also be transferred from equipment to equipment, so your initial investment stays preserved should you need to purchase a new tractor.

When purchasing a new tire, it is important to keep in mind that a tire in direct contact with the ground provides a solution that helps to limit compaction and rut formation. Additionally, soil compaction is amplified by wheel slip: a tire’s tractive capability is fundamental to limiting the damage.

The key to your farm’s success will always be your crop yield, and at Bauer Built, we want to make sure that you can protect your healthy soil in every way you can. Innovative tire technologies are a surefire way to optimize your yield, and Michelin Ultraflex technologies support keeping operating costs at a minimum. Learn more about AG tires and how Michelin Ultraflex can work for you and your farm.

Categories: Bauer Built Blog, AG, Industrial & OTR Tire Tips