A new row-crop tyre from BKT – the Agrimax ProCrop – aims to balance the characteristics needed for road travel and fieldwork with a carcass structure that meets VF performance norms topped by a blocky tread pattern.

The newcomer complements BKT’s Agrimax Spargo, including the steel-belted SB version introduced earlier this year, which has a conventional tractor tyre tread.

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Like other tyres with a block pattern tread, the ProCrop’s features a wavy ribbon of rubber down the centreline flanked by relatively short lugs set at a single angle.

This design aims to produce stable characteristics when travelling at speed on the road without overly compromising traction in the field.

Also, the open shoulders are reckoned to encourage the tyre to shed soil effectively, and the tread is claimed to maintain decent traction on soft, sandy soils and on freshly ploughed land.

Broad range

There are seven steel-belted sizes available so far, all featuring polyester reinforcement threads to stabilise and strengthen the carcass, a steel belt for puncture resistance, and a 65kph speed rating subject to load limits.

Smallest of the set is the VF 270/95 R32, while the largest has the same nominal width but wraps around a 54in rim.

Between them are 270s in 36in, 38in and 48in sizes, and two with the added characteristics that come with the CFO (cyclical field operation) sidewall marking.

The VF 320/90 R46 CFO and VF 230/95 R48 CFO are permitted a brief, low-speed period with the tyre carrying more than the load recommended for continuous, higher speed operation at a given inflation pressure.

Meanwhile, the carcass structure’s compliance with the VF (very high flexion) category indicates a tough but highly flexible sidewall design that permits up to 40% lower inflation pressure for a given load versus a conventional tyre, resulting in a longer footprint for optimum flotation during fieldwork.

At 30kph for extended road travel and 1.6 bar (23psi), the biggest tyre has a load capacity of 2,695kg or 10.7t for a set of four, or 2,495kg and 9.9t at a more favourable 1.4 bar (20psi).

A lighter spreading, spraying or weeding setup weighing in at 8.9t allows the pressure to be dropped to 1.2 bar (17psi) for the 1.9m diameter tyre.