Page 20 - CTB N20 - 2017-04

AGRICULTURAL
BKT Develops Forestry Application Line Up
Trelleborg Launches ConnecTire
BKT has now developed specific products for the forestry sector. Distinct solutions designed to face diverse forestry applications under tough conditions on uneven or muddy terrains, where obstacles such as trunks or splinters are present that can cause damage. For this reason, strength, resistance, load capacity, stability and some grit to show in challenging
advantages.
Forestech is the BKT tyre moving through the forest with strength and resistance even under harsh operating conditions. Its sturdy bead and the reinforced shoulder area ensure high puncture resistance. Not to be forgotten is the good traction - a key requirement to operate on this kind of terrain. All these features
make Forestech a good option for forwarders. It is available on the market in three different sizes: 600/55 – 26.5, 710/45 – 26.5 and 750/55 – 26.5. Likewise, not to be overlooked is FS 216. Its cut and tear resistance make it a decent option not only for forwarders, but also for skidders. Durability, a reinforced tread and high puncture resistance are its strengths. Enhanced traction, top self-cleaning properties and high load capacity complete the picture of this product, which is available in eight different sizes, each of them either in steel-belted or aramid-belted versions: 18.4 – 26, 23.1 – 26;
28L – 26, 18.4 – 30, 24.5 – 32, 30.5L – 32, DH 35.5L – 32 and 18.4 – 34.
TR 678, meanwhile, has been designed for forestry harvesters. It joins the previous two patterns in terms of strength and resistance. It is a versatile tyre, which is also suitable for excavation operations, and presents self-cleaning properties in addition to impressive traction. As of today, it is available in two sizes: 600/65 – 34 and 700/55 – 34.
Last but not least, the lineup is rounded out by F 240, the latest
addition to BKT’s forestry portfolio, specifically designed for logging operations. Good traction, string self-cleaning properties and enhanced maneuverability are some of its main features. Moreover, the special tread compound ensures an extended product life-cycle along with cut, wear and tear resistance. Eventually, the large footprint increases and improves stability on the terrain. F 240 is available in two different versions 18 – 15.5 and 400 – 15.5.
ConnecTire is a sensor-based smart wheel which enables data sharing at multiple levels, reducing the risk of tyre slippage on the rim. ConnecTire constantly monitors two key variables – tyre pressure and temperature – which it relays to both tractor and farm mainframes via Bluetooth and wireless connectivity. Operators set their target tyre pressure and can then monitor how tyre pressure deviates from that target and act accordingly. Should corrective action be required, ConnecTire automatically sends an alert via its App, ensuring minimum disruption and maximum machine safety.
Piero Mancinelli, R&D Director at Trelleborg Wheel Systems, commented: “ConnecTire is about ensuring efficiency and sustainability; tyres are required to work intelligently and to be at the right pressure at all times. Farm machinery is exposed to many variables throughout a working day, all of which can impact upon efficiency – ambient temperature, humidity and soil conditions. Being able to be in control of these allows farming operations to reduce inefficiencies.”
Mancinelli adds; “the alert via App capability is an essential feature of
ConnecTire; changing conditions can require immediate action in order to maintain maximum efficiency and prevent rim slippage. ConnecTire’s communications functions enables fingertip control.”
Beyond tyre monitoring, ConnecTire delivers further advantages: An inbuilt GPS capability identifies the live position of the tractor helping to keep lone workers safe and even safeguarding the tyres and machine against risk of theft. In addition, with the help of precision farming software, farm managers are able to track the number of machine passes over every square centimetre of land, helping to limit soil compaction and erosion as much as possible.
Mancinelli, continues: “Repeatedly driving over the same ground at different stages of the crop cycle has a long term impact on yield. With ConnecTire, we saw an opportunity to help reduce this effect by providing the data that allows farms to identify at risk areas and mitigate this. Efficient use of land is essential and by reducing the number of machine passes, ConnecTire helps soil to rapidly recover fertility and yield potential.”
BKT FS-216
situations are essential features and prerequisites for operating in the forestry sector. In this field, many different pieces of machinery and equipment operate, which include forestry harvesters, equipment for wood felling and trunk extraction, as well as forwarders.
BKT offers four distinct forestry product lines: Forestech, FS 216, TR 678 and F 240. Their common feature is resistance, which stands for an extended tyre life-cycle thanks to less replacements and machine downtime, resulting in both environmental and economic
Trelleborg has launched ConnecTire to deliver reduced risk of tyre slippage on the rim
BKT Forestech
20 Commercial Tyre Business