“This tire represents years of research and development by our agricultural research and development team in Lousado, Portugal. The new twisted steel belt construction has a unique Turtle Shield layer beneath the rubber to protect the tire shoulder area from damage. The wider tread and lug widths have been specifically designed to offer better traction on a variety of surfaces and improve the self-cleaning properties of the tire,” he adds.

The new tire is capable of operating at speeds of up to 50 kilometres per hour. “This level of tolerance is an indication of the strength and flexibility of the tire. The twisted steel belt provides a robust yet flexible tire that can run at higher pressures on the road to enhance fuel efficiency, and lower pressures in the yard or field when carrying heavy loads,” he says.

Compared to a standard agricultural tire pattern, the new lug design of the CompactMaster AG tire provides five percent more surface area. “This lug design further enhances grip and will also contribute to the tire wearing more evenly, which can improve the hours and mileages the tire will deliver,” says Hübner. The tire also has a land-sea (L/S) ratio of 30 percent which means a larger portion of the tire stays in contact with the ground. “This ratio is particularly important for traction in wet and slippery conditions, so we anticipate operators will see a marked benefit by choosing these tires for use on more challenging surfaces,” he adds.

Telehanders and skid steer loaders also have to make stationary turns on hard surfaces which increases the lateral pressure that is put through the tire. The twisted steel belt construction of the CompactMaster AG tire makes it stiffer which provides greater stability. “Lateral turns are common in the tight spaces these vehicles operate in, so we have designed a tire that is more resilient and robust to soak up the strain the vehicle puts on it,” he says.

Continental CompactMaster AG tires are available for 24-inch wheels, size 460/70R24 159B.