Yokohama introduced the world's largest agricultural tire

Yokohama-ATG introduced the agricultural tire Alliance Agriflex 372 in size 1400/45 R42 at the Farm Progress Show in Decatur, Illinois, USA, which the company calls the "largest agricultural tire in the world by air volume". Previously, the largest agricultural tire in the world was considered to be the less high-profile Goodyear Optitrac size 1400/30 R46 from Titan International, introduced in 2016.

Alliance Agriflex 372 also has a load index of 207 (up to 17.5 tons) and, as stated in Y-ATG, far exceeds the load-carrying capacity of all available agricultural tires on the market, and the development was carried out in conjunction with J&M Manufacturing, which intends to equip its large-sized grain bunker loader with these tires.

The tire is made using IF (Improved Flexion) technology, which, due to the reinforced flexible construction of the sidewalls, allows Agriflex 372 to either work at a reduced pressure of 20% and maintain load-carrying capacity, reducing soil compaction, or with increased loads of 20% and the same pressure level as standard tires. In addition, Agriflex 372 belongs to the CFO (Cyclic Field Operation) category and can withstand increased loads at low speeds during cyclic operations, and the reinforced metal cord construction and special rubber compound adapted for use on stubble provide a long service life for the tires.

As stated by Deutiman Chattopadhyay, Y-ATG's technical director, the Agriflex 372 tires are "designed with the changing needs of modern American agriculture in mind and combine increased load-carrying capacity with excellent soil protection, making them a versatile solution for farmers and equipment manufacturers".