CFO reduces soil compaction

Cyclic Field Operations (CFO) is an opportunity for today’s farmers to do their job more profitably while protecting the soil. This may increase load capacity by up to 55% to a larger footprint. BKT is aware of these advantages and applies this marking to several of their tires.

It is well known that reducing soil compaction is good for harvesting, in terms of both quality and results. This is why machinery and tire manufacturers continue their improvement process in this sector heading at an increasingly sustainable agriculture under both environmental and economic aspects.

Today, VF (which stands for Very-high Flexion) and IF (Increased Flexion) tires are the best response to all soil compaction issues, since they have a larger footprint area and require lower inflation pressure. These features enable agricultural machinery to cope with heavier loads.

Yet, are there any technologies let us go another step forward? The answer is yes.

Cyclic Field Operations (CFO) is a special marking that appears after the nominal diameter of the rim in the case of IF or VF drive-wheel tires. It specifically identifies tires developed for agricultural machinery employed in cyclical field operations. We are talking of robust tires with a large footprint employed in cycles of moving loads that also include weight peaks.

This is, for instance, the case of combine harvesters during the harvest stage or trailers transporting cereals. For these vehicles a significant weight increase has been recorded in recent years compared to other equipment.

CFO can make the difference

Normally, an IF radial tire is able to withstand more than 20% of the load compared to a standard radial tire. If the tire has also the CFO marking for cyclic field operations, it can withstand even more than 55% of the load without increasing the inflation pressure.

In addition, tires with this type of marking are particularly suitable for wet or muddy field conditions during harvest season. Thanks to a larger footprint on the ground and additional flotation ability, i.e. IF and VF technology, combined with proper cyclical planning, farmers will have more harvesting opportunities. These unique traits of CFO tires lead to increased efficiency and productivity in farming operations as well as enhanced tire performance and durability.

BKT is aware of the advantages of CFO and now applies this marking to several products. Among these Agrimax Force, to well 21 IF sizes with CFO marking. This tire has been specially developed for combine harvesters or high-power tractors for harvesting, transport, and tillage operations. Two other products for harvesting operations that require full traction in the fields plus high load capacity are Agrimax Teris and Agrimax RT 600 which are also available in 6 IF sizes with CFO marking.

Finally, another BKT product that benefits from the CFO marking is Agrimax V-Flecto in two VF sizes. This tire is designed to optimize the performance of high-power, next-generation tractors.