Together with the agricultural machinery manufacturer Amazone, we have thoroughly tested which of these promising statements can be confirmed in the field. Heiko Holthaus, Business Unit Manager Agriculture, makes a clear forecast: "IF/VF technology will soon become the standard. It is more soil-friendly, economically superior and suitable for mass production, i.e. it is already available for many machines and towed vehicles. We will personally present this technology’s advantages and the wide range to our customers at Agritechnica" But first to the test.
Out onto the field
IF technology was put onto the pulled Amazone field sprayer UX 5201 SUPER; the VF technology was tested on a pulled Amazone spreader ZG TS 1001 PROFISPRO and on the self-propelled Amazone field sprayer PANTERA 4502H. On the left side of the machines were tyres with standard technology, on the right a comparable tyre with IF or VF technology. The absolute track depth was measured and compared, and the penetration depth was measured at fixed resistances using a ground penetrometer. It is a measure of the compaction of the soil and thus of rooting depth. A higher penetration depth on the penetrometer proves a lower compaction of the soil.
220 cubic meters more root space
A clear picture can be seen across all measurement results - especially in the track depth. The effect of higher soil protection through the use of IF and VF technology is demonstrable: The plants have around 220 cubic metres more root space available on one hectare for the absorption of nutrients. A clearly positive test result, which at the same time confirms that the use of the new tyre technology is worthwhile on all levels.
The basics of IF and VF technology
IF (Improved/Increased-Flexion) tyres move the same payload as comparable standard tyres at 20 percent lower inflation pressure - or up to 20 percent more load at the same tyre pressure. VF (Very High Flexion) tyres even extend this performance limit to up to 40 percent.