It’s the largest agriculture tyre Continental has ever released and along with VF technology VF TractorMaster tyres are now available worldwide
Responding to the trend toward ever-larger agricultural machines Continental has launched its largest tractor tyre to date, the VF TractorMaster VF900/60R42.
With a diameter of 2,147mm (7ft), this tyre weighs 450 kilograms with a load index of 189 (10,300kg). Continental has developed this tyre size with VF technology to specifically carry the weight of agricultural machinery with over 221kW (300hp) of engine power.
Continental has been watching the industry contend with rising costs and the pressure to transport increasingly larger loads in a shorter time. As a result, the company has decided to cash in on the ever-growing demand for powerful agricultural machinery is growing.
Benjamin Hübner, manager for agricultural tyres at Continental explained: “This development not only demands top performance from machines, but also from their tyres. That is why we develop and test our agricultural tyres in close consultation with our customers.
“Underlying the trend toward large machines is the primary goal of working even more efficiently and cost-effectively.
In 2022, Continental already launched five new tyre sizes in its VF TractorMaster range. These included the 650/60 R 34; 650/65 R 42; 710/75 R42; 650/65 R 34; and 710/60 R 34.
With so much success with these small sizes, a move to a VF TractorMaster VF900/60R42 was an obvious next step in the development of Continental tractor tyres.
VF tyres for paddock and road
With the advantage of VF technology, the VF TractorMaster VF900/60R42 can be operated with 40% more load at the same pressure as a standard tyre or 40% less tyre pressure at the same load.
In addition, tyres with VF technology operate more fuel-efficiently than conventional tractor tyres.
Benjamin Hübner continued, “The VF TractorMaster combines efficiency and soil preservation. The VF technology allows for a smooth transition from paddock to road without having to adjust the tyre pressure.
“At the same time, the impact of heavy machinery on the soil is minimised by a wider tread surface when working in the paddock,” Benjamin Hübner added.
Continental is striving to continuously expand its agricultural tyre business as part of its Vision 2030 strategy.
The expansion of the portfolio and the realignment of the Agricultural tyres business is headed by Ivonne Bierwirth who is responsible for the company’s growth strategy.
The Tires group sector of Continental has 24 production and development locations worldwide.
Continental is one of the leading tyre manufacturers with more than 57,000 employees and posted sales of €11.8 billion (AU$18.2 billion) in 2021 in this group sector.
Continental ranks among the technology leaders in tyre production and offers a broad product range with the overall portfolio of the tyre business including services for trade and fleet applications, as well as digital management systems for tyres.
