Michelin Wins SIMA 2017 Innovation award for ‘2 in 1’ Ag Tire

Michelin’s subsidiary, Michelin North America Inc. won the 2017 Innovation Gold Medal for its “2 in 1” ag tire at SIMA, the renowned Paris International Agri-Business Show. The tire was chosen as one of the winners of the award by a panel of international agriculture professionals. The award recognizes those exhibitors who develop products that are notable for their design, innovative technology and useful features.

Tires used in agricultural machines need to work at two levels of pressure – very low pressures to minimize soil compaction when they are used in the field and high pressures when they are used on the road. Many agricultural tires do not transition easily from the field to the road and vice versa.

Michelin says its new “2 in 1″ tire will allow farmers to work more effectively as it adjusts pressure and can easily transform its shape and footprint. It has a contact patch that can increase by up to 20 per cent in order to reduce soil compaction while working in the field. When it is used on the road, it can maintain high pressures and has a central continuous tread band that grips the pavement to offer users a smooth, safe, vibration-free and fuel-saving ride. The tire thus combines the advantages of Michelin’s Ultraflex technology with lower rolling resistance at higher inflation pressures. The pressure can thus be changed when the tire is used on a tractor having an on-board inflation system

Emmanuel Ladent, Director of Michelin’s Agriculture Business Unit termed the ‘2 in 1 tire’ a real game-changer and said the tire is latest in the line of innovative new tire technologies that Michelin has brought to the market. Other such innovations include tires with Ultraflex technology and Connected tires.