Goodyear introduces a new farm tyre concept with more air

Goodyear, the world's largest tyre company, unveiled its innovative farm tyre concept OPTITRAC R+ at Europe's leading agricultural machinery exhibition, Agritechnica, taking place in Hanover, Germany, from November 8 to 12, 2005 (preview days November 6 and 7).

R+ is an extension of Goodyear's OPTITRAC family, the one stop portfolio that meets the majority of farmer's needs both on the field and the road. OPTITRAC R+ increases the performance level for tractor tyres significantly: the tyres can carry up to 31% more load, generate 10% higher traction at lower tyre inflation and operate at speeds up to 65 km/h.

OPTITRAC R+ is an ideal concept suitable for on road driving at field inflation levels. The new tyre widens the performance spectrum while maintaining conventional outside tyre dimensions and converts more machine power into traction. R+ is ready for the next generation of powerful, hi-speed tractors introduced on the European market.

The 'R' in the tyre's name OPTITRAC R+ stands for 'AIR' and refers to the larger air volume inside the tyre achieved by reducing the rim diameter. The larger air volume in combination with appropriate tyre pressure allows the tyre to generate extra traction in a wider range of operating conditions. The '+' refers to the increased tyre performance accomplished through the use of new tyre materials, a stronger carcass and the new bead concept AERO TIE-IN. This bead concept derived from Goodyear aircraft tyres guarantees that OPTITRAC R+ can transmit the high torque and increased traction through a smaller rim.

R+ is made for compact, six cylinder, four wheel drive tractors in the 120 to 300 horsepower range. It is the ideal tyre concept for farmers and contractors looking to maximise efficiency of their tractor park. OPTITRAC R+ keeps operating costs down and is well suited for use in combination with Central Tyre Inflation Systems (CTIS).

R+ has been developed together with leading tractor manufacturers over the past two years, fitting standard rims and is manufactured in Goodyear's radial farm production facility in Amiens, France.

At the Agritechnica Goodyear introduced two new OPTITRAC R+ sizes:

• Front size: 540/75R28 149D/152A8 OPTITRAC R+ DT824

• Rear size: 650/75R34 162D/165A8 OPTITRAC R+ DT824

Additional sizes are planned.