MAXAM’s AgriXtra XL tyre series provides reduced soil compaction, greater fuel savings, and higher traction results delivering improved productivity versus market leaders in the DLG comparative tests.

The independent German testing institute DLG-Testzentrum Technik und Betriebsmittel of the German Agricultural Society (DLG) has awarded both the MAXAM AgriXtra XL VF and Standard construction Radial R-1W tyres with the much coveted “DLG Approved” quality stamp of approval. This underlines once again MAXAM's technological advantages and product engineering in the field of radial agricultural tyres. The DLG approval sustains MAXAM ‘s intentions and technological developments which are geared towards delivering improved product performance to ensure the “value” that farmers are seeking through reduced soil compaction, improved traction, and greater fuel savings.

These three key parameters are critical towards ensuring greater productivity all the while enabling a sustainable and long-term tyre performance capability. In recent tests complete this year in Germany both in the field as well as on the road to include laboratory dynamometer testing both the MAXAM AgriXtra XL VF casing and Standard casing tyres in the 600/70R30 (front axle) and 710/70R42 (rear axle) achieved superior results when compared to the competitor tyres. The tests result highlighted MAXAM’s improved performance over the other brands in the following categories of “resource conservation (VF, Soil Compaction)” and “fuel savings” (improved productivity), and as well as in the category of “traction” (reduced slip rates). "We are delighted that the independent experts and testers from DLG have confirmed the premium quality and performance capability of our tyres. As an integral part of our expanding business strategy, we are aiming to further grow our agricultural tyre business. Our MAXAM AgriXtra XL products in both VF and Standard casing construction are excellent examples of how our technology as well as engineering can help farmers achieve a greater value by efficiently lowering their fuel expense, increasing productivity, and reducing soil compaction,” emphasized Harry Wang, General Manager of MAXAM Europe.

As part of the global SAILUN Group, the 10th largest tyre manufacturer in the world, the MAXAM brand of Specialty Tyres continues to deliver extensive tyre expertise and capability with AgriXtra range of products. “Specifically, the MAXAM AgriXtra XL family of high horsepower tractor tyres bring a significant improvement to both farmers and growers and more importantly to the environment. With our innovative VF range as well as with the Standard versions of these tyres, our engineering teams continue to meet the market challenge by developing products that improve traction, reduce soil rutting, and deliver long tyre wear when utilized for transport on hard surface roads. Through our innovative and highly flexible casing our AgriXtra XL products provide greater traction, improved soil protection, and significant fuel savings both in the field or on the road ensuring unparalleled value to our customers” emphasized Harry Wang.

The AgriXtra XL series of tyres have been designed to both protect the soil, while efficiently transferring the necessary traction or power on high horsepower ag platforms such as tractors and harvesters to deliver improved productivity. As the contact interface between tractors and the working field or road, tyres play a key role in ensuring farmers can achieve the value or savings they are seeking to improve their farm profits. The new AgriXtra XL VF tyres with the improved radial casing or carcass technology are designed to offer up to 40% higher load capacity or can be operated at 40% less air pressure for the given axle load without comprimising the machine’s working speed.

“MAXAM’s tyre technology in both our standard and new VF products not only delivers improvements for daily practical farm life but will also ensure long term benefits for the farming world through greater soil conservation (VF), reduced carbon gases emitted, and long term tyre wear all helping to sustainably protect our planetary resources now and for the years to come,” underlined Harry Wang when announcing the results of the independent and third party DLG test conclusions.

The DLG's test methods are based on the latest scientific findings rigorously utilizing proven agricultural practices, modern test procedures, testing systems, and employing a cross-industry network of scientists as well as engineering experts to conduct the evaluations. The MAXAM AgriXtra XL tyres were tested together with other brand samples in two separate types of tests that included the first field tests taking place in early April on farming fields near Rendswühren, Schleswig-Holstein, and the second part of the tests completed under laboratory conditions later in May on the DLG dynamometer roller test lab in Groß-Umstadt. In all instances and through the various parameters tested or evaluated all the results were recorded under strict control conditions. In summary, the initial tests conducted in the field evaluated the following tyre work conditions: Tyre Tractive force-slip, tyre ground pressure, the impact of the tyre trackor rut depth, and the tyre contact patch or gross flat plate on the soil. In secondary tests conducted in the DLG laboratory, the controlled testing measured the fuel consumption, as well as subsequent productivity results using the DLG Roller or Dynamometer testing bench.

DLG Testing Parameters to Evaluate Soil Compaction, Ease of Use and Tyre Traction Capabilities

The field tests were conducted in the Hohe Geest nature reserve from April 10 to 15 in the vicinity of Rendswühren in Schleswig-Holstein. The soil type conditions at the testing site were categorically measured to be of loamy sand with 46 soil points. As part of the testing conditions the soil moisture content was measured at random times through the field testing and was identified at 38 percent moisture in measuring depths of 0 to 30 centimeters. During the field tests conducted at Rendswühren both the MAXAM AgriXtra XL VF and Standard tyres, as well as their respective competitor VF and Standard tyres samples were subjected to rigorous testing that included tyre contact area as well as ground pressure values at various air pressures per manufacturer recommended load and inflation standards. The testing platform to ensure repeatability and consistency for each test, had all the MAXAM and competitor tyres mounted on a CNH Steyr 6280 (total weight: 10,400 kg) Mechanical Front Wheel Assist Tractor which was ballasted with a weight distribution of 42% on the front axle and 58% on the rear axle. The tyre pressure of all six test products was uniformly specified and verified per the manufacturer’s recommendations per axle load at 1.3 bar and 50 km/h for transport work and 0.6 bar at 10 km/h for field work. In the secondary tests conducted later in May at the DLG laboratory the evaluation thoroughly examined all the MAXAM and other tyres' performance in terms of both hard surface traction and fuel consumption in controlled testing. This combined evaluative testing approach enables DLG the capability to examine the tyres in a comprehensive, measurable, and repeatable tests to deliver comparable performance parameters under each operating condition.

DLG Field Example #1 Results: Tyre Rutting or Tracking Depth at 0.6 bar (9 psi) Tyre Inflation Pressure

The relationship between the tyre contact patch (gross flat plate), the contact patch pressure, and the resulting ground pressure becomes visible through the generated track depth or tyre rut depth. As the track depth increases, so does the risk of compaction and the need for more intensive tillage to loosen and level the tracks. Of the six tyres tested, the MAXAM AgriXtra XL VF710/70R42 left the smallest track depth of just 7.3 cm (2.8 in) at an internal tyre pressure of 0.6 bar (9 psi). The tracking depths of the other competitors VF710/70R42s were between 7.6 cm (2.9 in) and 8.2 cm (3.2 in).

DLG Field Test Example #2 Results: Tyre Ground Pressure Test

DLG can measure the ground pressure generated when a tyre is driving over a measured area of soil by using the so-called Bolling probes at various soil depths. The decrease in ground pressure depth is significantly influenced by the tyre contact area and footprint (gross flat plate). The pressure on the ground is measured under the tyre as the vehicle drives over the various pressure sensors set at various soil depths one deeper than the next. The tests measure the close correlation between the various ground pressure results experienced at the established testing depths of 10 cm (3.9 in), 20 cm (7.9 in) and 40 cm (15.7 in) vs. The given cold inflation tyre pressure per the manufacturer’s recommendations. The ground pressure at a depth of 40 cm is mainly influenced by the size of the tyre contact area. The DLG Field test result identified that MAXAM AgriXtra XL tyres both in VF and Standard casing versions generated the lowest ground contact pressure at 0.6 bar (9 psi) internal tyre air pressure when compared to the other brands tested. This Ground Pressure result was well below the average limit value of 0.2 bar (2.9 PSI) as described by the DLG team.

DLG Field Test Example #3 Results: Tyre Tractive Force Slip Curve Results

The DLG Tractive Force Slip Curve tests the practical use of the tyres slip (measured traction) on the soil when operating under torque and aiming for a slip rate of between 5% up to 20% for objective comparison. The tractive force slip results observed during the field tests at 0.6 bar (9 psi) tyre pressure showed that only the MAXAM AgriXtra XL tyres could transmit tractive forces of +50 kN at the maximum slip of 20% compared to the other tyres tested the MAXAM tyres exhibited tractive forces of 54.5 kN setting the benchmark at the lowest inflation pressures versus the competitor tyres achieving significantly lower tractive forces of 36.0 kN and 48.0 kN. At the higher transportation aire pressure setting of 1.3 bar (19 psi) and at the maximum slip of 20%, the MAXAM AgriXtra XL tyres once again delivered higher tractive forces with the AgriXtra VF tyres delivering 46.0 kN and the AgriXtra Standard tyres delivering 43.0 kN of tractive power both outperforming the competitor test tyres which ranged well below the MAXAM’s between 27.9 kN and 36.8 kN.

DLG Laboratory Dynamometer Test: Fuel Performance and Consumption Measurement Evaluation

During the second part of the DLG product test, the tyres were tested for their fuel performance through the controlled measurement of the engine and the resulting fuel consumption on the DLG dynamometer roller test rig in Groß-Umstadt (Hessen). These tests were carried out from April 24 to May 16 at the DLG laboratory which utilizes one of the world's most powerful all-wheel drive chassis dynamometers for measuring vehicle engine performance and the corresponding fuel consumption. The test of the MAXAM AgriXtra XL tyres were carried out on the same CNH Steyr 6280 tractor at the various simulated loads and speed. The Tractor test weight was established at 10,520 kg with a weight distribution of 4,485 kg on the Front Axle and 6,035 kg on the Rear Axle a simulated trailer load of 29,480 kg was engaged to the tractor hitch mechanism resulting in a total weight of 40 metric tons. The cold inflation tyre pressure was set at a constant 1.6 bar (19 psi). The simulated road conditions were carried out in the so-called DLG Power-Mix transport cycle using the tractor in 2WD mode at an ambient temperature of 25 degrees Celsius. The tyre testing sequence consisted of two different real working transport conditions to include simulated mountain section and maximum pulling flat surface section in which the tractor was driven at 40 kmph and 50 kmph respectively. In all the various tests conducted at the two speeds both versions of the MAXAM AgriXtra XL tyres in Standard and VF casing construction outperformed the other competitor tyres by delivering the best fuel performance and traction results for the conditions driven. In overall fuel consumption, the MAXAM AgriXtra XL tyres again delivered the lowest fuel usage providing the best performance results or greater total productivity.

In summary, MAXAM’s AGRIXTRA product range has been engineered to deliver improved performance based on a given load or speed, while ensuring the optimal contact patch without compromising the steering, flotation, traction, or the torque transfer capability of the tyre. MAXAM is developing new VF tyres sizes to not only complement the existing offer, but to meet the evolving global demand for heavier loads, greater working speeds, and/or greater productivity. In addition, MAXAM will also employ the innovative EcoPoint³ rubber compound technology in the coming years to rewrite the tyre performance rules that will ensure we can deliver value-centered products that will exceed grower or farmer endurance expectations. The DLG test and product performance results confirm that our AgriXtra XL products will deliver the value our customers expect from MAXAM tyres now and for the years to come.

Tagged: German Agricultural Society

MAXAM’s AgriXtra XL High Horsepower Tractor Tyres are Approved by DLG