- Trials show Michelin TrailXBib VF tyres, combined with a CTIS, to be a superior soil protection solution over tracks
- Feltwell Growers were ‘blown away’ with the results
- Larrington Trailers will supply the farm with four new trailers equipped with the set-up
Feltwell Growers has ordered four new Larrington Trailers specified with Michelin TrailXBib VF tyres and an AgriBrink central tyre inflation system (CTIS) after trials showed the superb soil protection qualities of the set-up.
Part of the G’s Group – one of the largest family-owned fresh produce suppliers in the UK – the farm had plans to move its entire fleet of trailers onto tracks, as it looked for the best ways to reduce soil damage at its 5,000-hectare base in the wet Norfolk Fenland.
However, following advice and a subsequent demonstration arranged by Larrington Trailers, it opted to specify a CTIS and TrailXBib VF 560/60 R22.5 tyres.
Supplied and fitted by Michelin Exelagri dealer Bush Tyres, the TrailXBib fitments benefit from Michelin’s Ultraflex Technology that allows for greater flexibility – meaning they can work with a larger footprint, reducing the impact on the soil.
Scott Watson Manager of the Radish Division, at Feltwell Growers, says: “We are effectively farming below sea level here and the ground gets very wet, so it’s hard for these big heavy trailers to navigate. When fully loaded with vegetables they can weigh up to 19 tonnes.
“We assumed the only thing that would really alleviate soil damage would be to move them onto tracks. But Richard Larrington explained sticking with tyres would save us adding a huge amount of additional weight to the trailers, not to mention a significant sum of money. We agreed to look at the set-up with the CTIS and low-pressure tyres and were blown away with the results.”
The test saw two 180hp tractors, pulling 10 tonnes of stone payload in two identical Larrington tandem axle trailers across a wet pool in the field. One trailer was fitted with standard trailer tyres at 4 bar of pressure, while the other trailer was fitted with Michelin TrailXBib fitments of the same size running at 1 bar.
The trailer with the standard tyres got stuck and had to be pulled out by two more tractors, while the trailer fitted with the Michelin TrailXBib VF fitments sailed through with minimum damage to the field.
“We pretty much made up our minds there and then,” says Watson. “We now have two of the trailers with that exact set-up up running in the fields with two more to follow shortly – it’s working very well.
“The CTIS allows us to go from 7 bar for operating on firmer ground down to 1 bar for when we’re out on the soggy fields inside a minute and a half. It’s a great, sustainable solution for us. We’ve been really impressed, so much so that other divisions within the group are now looking to run their own trials with the set-up.”
About G’s Group:
G’s is an international farming business established in 1952. It farms 25,000 acres of land across the UK, growing a wide range of vegetables and salads. It also operates farms in Poland, Czech Republic, Spain and Senegal, supplying fresh produce all year round to customers across the UK, Europe and North America.
About Michelin:
Michelin, the leading mobility company, is dedicated to enhancing its clients’ mobility, sustainably; designing and distributing the most suitable tyres, services and solutions for its clients’ needs; providing digital services, maps and guides to help enrich trips and travels and make them unique experiences; and developing high-technology materials that serve a variety of industries. Headquartered in Clermont-Ferrand, France, Michelin is present in 170 countries, has 123,600 employees and operates 71 tyre production facilities which together produced around 170 million tyres in 2020. www.michelin.com
More information on how Michelin assists transport businesses achieve its sustainability goals and run more efficiently can be found at business.michelin.co.uk.
CONTACT:
Dan Jones or James Keeler, Garnett Keeler PR
dan.jones@garnettkeeler.com / james.keeler@garnettkeeler.com
+44 (0)20 8647 4467
MICHOHT/282/21
