Tire pressure
Agricultural tire pressure is a crucial factor for the efficiency and productivity of farming operations. It directly influences the performance of machinery, soil preservation, and fuel consumption[1][2].
Importance of Agricultural Tire Pressure
Agricultural tire pressure affects several aspects of farming work:
- Traction: An appropriate pressure, generally lower for field work, increases the contact area with the soil, thus improving grip and reducing slippage[2].
- Soil Compaction: Excessively high pressure can lead to excessive soil compaction, harming its structure and crop developmentcrops[3].
- Fuel Consumption: Optimized pressure helps reduce fuel consumption, especially during field work[2].
- Tire Wear: Inappropriate pressure can accelerate tire wear, reducing their lifespan[4].
Factors Influencing Optimal Pressure
The optimal pressure for agricultural tires depends on several factors:
- Load: The weight of the vehicle and attached implements directly influences the required pressure[3].
- Speed: Pressure should be adjusted according to operating speed, generally higher for road travel[1].
- Type of Use: Field work usually requires lower pressure than road travel[3].
Recommendations for Pressure Management
To optimize agricultural tire pressure, it is recommended to:
- Weigh the axles: Measure the weight supported by each axle to determine the actual load[3].
- Consult load/pressure charts: Use manufacturer recommendations to determine optimal pressure[5].
- Adjust regularly: Check and adjust pressure at least twice a month for wheels from 24 to 38 inches[4].
- Use support tools: Some manufacturers offer mobile apps to calculate optimal pressure[3].
- Consider mixed use: For combined road/field use, find a compromise or use a central tire inflation system (CTIS)[1].
Safety and Precautions
It is important to follow certain safety rules when inflating agricultural tires:
- Never exceed the maximum pressure recommended by the manufacturer, generally 2.5 bars or 250 kPa[6].
- Use personal protective equipment during inflation[6].
- For frequent road use, add 0.4 bar to the recommended pressure to reduce premature wear[3].
In conclusion, proper management of agricultural tire pressure is essential to optimize machinery performance, preserve soils, and reduce operating costs. It requires regular attention and adaptation to the specific operating conditions of each farm.
References
- Soil compaction: from prevention to correction (Arvalis.fr)
- How agricultural tire pressure impacts your efficiency (blog.bridgestone-agriculture.fr)
- How to choose the right pressure for my tractor tires (firestone-agriculture.fr)
- What is the correct pressure for tractor tires? - MICHELIN FR (pro.michelin.fr)
- The importance of pressure for agricultural tires - Allpneus (allpneus.com)
- Agricultural tire inflation: safety rules - TNPF (tnpf.fr)
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 What is the correct pressure for tractor tires? - MICHELIN FR (pro.michelin.fr)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 How agricultural tire pressure impacts your efficiency (blog.bridgestone-agriculture.fr)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 How to choose the right pressure for my tractor tires (firestone-agriculture.fr)
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 The importance of pressure for agricultural tires - Allpneus (allpneus.com)
- ↑ Inflation pressure verification, agricultural tire - TNPF (tnpf.fr)
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Agricultural tire inflation: safety rules - TNPF (tnpf.fr)