Since the development and introduction of IF, then VF, tire technology nearly a decade ago, more and more farmers have been using them as a way to offset withering profits caused by low commodity prices and increasing input costs. Farmers fighting against tighter profit margins can increase their yields with high-tech tires like our AgriFlex line of IF/VF tires, and now the question begs to be asked: are IF/VF the future of farm tires?

As of Jan 1, 2021, Alliance Tire Group and Alliance Tire Americas, Inc. changed their names to Yokohama Off-Highway Tires and Yokohama Off-Highway Tires America, Inc respectively. The Alliance, Galaxy and Primex brands and product names remain unchanged. Product information is available at www.yokohama-oht.com.

Alliance Tire Americas has announced the appointment of Olivier Hubrecht as Vice President of Sales, South America. Hubrecht—educated in Europe and China and posted in various management roles in Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America—brings extensive international experience to his new role with Alliance, which is growing rapidly in the region. He is fluent in English, Spanish, French, and Dutch.

Reducing Compaction and Improving Yields at Harvest 

Due to the seasonal nature of combines and grain carts, most farmers only think about them at harvest time—and often only think about the tires on this equipment when they fail. However, because of the growing size of harvest equipment, it’s more important than ever to pay attention to tires. According to a study from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, from 2006 to 2015, the average horsepower of combines rose from 230 to 342. Over that same time, the average capacity of grain carts grew from 689 bushels to 883 bushels. Because of the massive weight and power of these machines, they're capable of creating deeper, longer-lasting compaction. Luckily, farmers can take a few measures to reduce the impact of their enormous equipment.

Maximizing Performance with Proper Tire Pressure  

Compare a logging operation of today with those of the not-so-distant past and one thing is obvious—the machines on site have grown considerably in both size and power. While the need to increase operational productivity and efficiency is driving the adoption of larger, more powerful equipment, it is also presenting new challenges. Luckily, there’s a simple step operators can take to overcome these challenges and make the most of their tires (and, subsequently, their machines): check tire air pressure frequently. 

Softening Solid Tires for Cooler and More Comfortable Ride 

More and more operators are outfitting their equipment with solid tires as industries such as construction, recycling, and mining face increasingly tight margins. Solid tires help minimize downtime caused by flats, can last two to three times longer than a pneumatic tire, and have a reputation for delivering a low total cost of ownership. Also becoming more commonplace is the appearance of small openings, or apertures, on solid tires. But what is an aperture and how does it work?