WAKEFIELD, Mass.—Yokohama Off-Highway Tires America Inc. (YOHTA) has unveiled an Alliance-brand radial farm tire with ultra-flexible VF sidewall technology and a high-performance hybrid tread design, the Agriflex+ 373.
"For more than 100 years, the curved bar lug has been the shape of agricultural tires, but today's farm machinery has a very different life than tractors 100 years ago," James Crouch, national segment manager—agriculture and forestry for YOHTA, said.
"Today's tractors and sprayers deliver more torque and spend more time on gravel and pavement than grandpa's tractor ever did. That's why we need more than grandpa's tires."
The Alliance Agriflex+ 373 tread features sturdy blocks arrayed in curves like traditional agricultural lugs, optimizing traction with more biting edges arrayed at optimal angles, while enhancing self-cleaning with stepped block design and mud breakers, the company said, touting that the stepped lug design delivers improved traction for 80% of the tread life.
Centerline blocks on the tire are closely packed, increasing the rubber-to-void ratio for smoother roading, steadier handling and longer wear, the company said.
Sturdy tie bars help reduce block movement and minimize the buildup of heat and stress. Shoulder-to-shoulder steel radial belts help protect against puncture from stubble and debris, as well as dissipate heat for longer service life, the tire maker said.
"We benchmarked the Alliance Agriflex+ 373 up against the best tires in the industry to ensure that we deliver top-tier performance, longevity and reliability while also delivering great value," Crouch said. "We're providing more tire for the money."
In addition to sizes for MFWD tractors and self-propelled sprayers, YOHTA is launching a special Alliance Agriflex+ 373 Vibrofarm radial specifically for olive harvesters.
"The steel-belted construction is especially helpful for reducing punctures from cut limbs, and the tread pattern and flexible VF sidewalls help reduce vibration transmitted to the operator for greater comfort and productivity," Crouch said. "The 373 design turns out to be ideal for olive harvest."
The Alliance Agriflex+ 373 radial also features a distinctive sidewall design introduced with the Alliance Agri Star II radial.
"We use our sidewall design to make the Alliance Agriflex+ 373 eye-catching, but also as a reminder that there's a lot of innovation and attention to detail both inside and outside this tire," Crouch said.
