VF Tyres

[mf7480]

On a new build tractor at the moment Trelleborg 710/60 R42 VF tyres are about £150 cheaper than standard Trelli 650/65 R42. For Michelins the VF 710’s are around an £800 premium over the standard 650/65r42, which is a much smaller premium than they ever used to be. What are thoughts on them for general farm work including a lot of haulage work?

Any con’s over the standard tyres and what do they wear like, and any specific experience of the Trelli VF tyres? We had a set of 650 Trelli’s fall apart on us 7 or 8 years ago so a bit apprehensive of them, but the Michelin are an £1800 premium over the Trelliborg

 

[Khan]

Had Michelin Xeobibs 710/60R42 on a 6480. Great topwork tyre, good wear but they are not a tyre for heavy mounted implements, quite low load index, better going for the Axiobib in that size if you plan ploughing or heavy combi.

Trelleborg 1060 710/60R38 on a 6718S and needing replacement on 4200hrs. Have been OK though we do adjust tyre pressure frequently as we spread a lot of fert on contract with roadwork. They can be sore on sod I think compared to Xeobibs. Priced Trelleborg, Michelin, BKT and Vredestein replacements, will probably go BKT as tractor moving down fleet and probably another 2400hrs before sale.

Are those your only size options? Personally I think 650/75R38 or 710/70R38 are better all-rounders at the same RC if you need flotation but if trailer work is main job then probably the 650/65R42.

 

[ColinV6]

I’ve had a couple of demo’s lately on Michelin 710/60’s and found them hellish noisy on the road. Definately put me off, plus I quite like the chunky tyre look rather than low profile so I’ve got 710/70r38 Trellies coming now. A bit more expensive but I think it’ll be worth it.

 

[mf7480]

Had Michelin Xeobibs 710/60R42 on a 6480. Great topwork tyre, good wear but they are not a tyre for heavy mounted implements, quite low load index, better going for the Axiobib in that size if you plan ploughing or heavy combi.

Trelleborg 1060 710/60R38 on a 6718S and needing replacement on 4200hrs. Have been OK though we do adjust tyre pressure frequently as we spread a lot of fert on contract with roadwork. They can be sore on sod I think compared to Xeobibs. Priced Trelleborg, Michelin, BKT and Vredestein replacements, will probably go BKT as tractor moving down fleet and probably another 2400hrs before sale.

Are those your only size options? Personally I think 650/75R38 or 710/70R38 are better all-rounders at the same RC if you need flotation but if trailer work is main job then probably the 650/65R42.

Needing replacement at 4200 hours doesn’t sound brilliant. Are VF’s made of softer compound to allow them to flex?

 

[Spencer]

Needing replacement at 4200 hours doesn’t sound brilliant. Are VF’s made of softer

They definantly flex more! Got 7000hrs out of XeoBibs here though

 

[Scragger]

We went for Bridgestone vf’s, definitely quieter on the road than some makes but only done 500 hrs so can’t compare them to much yet!

 

[Khan]

Needing replacement at 4200 hours doesn’t sound brilliant. Are VF’s made of softer compound to allow them to flex?

They would have done a fair amount of roadwork in their time. I could probably run for another year close to 5000hrs but worn widish tyres are crap for gripping in the field I think, spring was interesting at times with the combi up a couple of slopes we have. Michelin I think have VF tyres sorted wear wise if you heed load and inflation tables but the price tag matches them.

A 7719S replaced our 6480, we took it a year old on Bridgestone 710/70R38, seem to be holding up well so far but when i was pricing tyres for the 6718S Bridgestone didn't have right size and I'll probably go for more cost effective options to get it to changing time.

 

[Salopian_Will]

710/70/38 will be a far better tyre than a 710/60/42 or 650/65/42. But if it is a choice between the latter two I’d go for the 710 VF subject to seeing the load ratings of the respective tyres.

 

[gone]

I have a set of 650/65r42 Michelin Axiobib 2 on a MF 7720S, and I am well impressed so far, I think they are a great allrounder tyre.

 

[Gerbert]

I’ve had a couple of demo’s lately on Michelin 710/60’s and found them hellish noisy on the road. Definately put me off, plus I quite like the chunky tyre look rather than low profile so I’ve got 710/70r38 Trellies coming now. A bit more expensive but I think it’ll be worth it.

You can get pretty much all regular sizes in VF now, just not with every brand. I have a set of vf710/60r38 bkt on a tractor, love them! Bkt tend to be a little noisy on the road in my experience but these are the exception. Excellent ride even on low pressure, very deep threads and the flexing is insane so the grip is huge.
Like is said, a vf710/70r38 will be able to carry more weight then a vf710/60r42.
I have heard about some problems with trelleborg tm1060 tyres, but then again it has been a while and they might have improved. Trelleborg does have a bad trackrecord on here for not standing by their tyres.
I would take a look at BKT v flecto tyres, they are alot cheaper then the others aswell.

 

[Gav]

Personally I’d go Michelin, we have 3 tractors fitted with their VF tyres and the only bother had with them tends to be caused by sharp flints.
The same can’t be said for Trelleborg tyres, my experience with them has only ever been negative with tractor tyres, all have suffered from premature failure. Also when I worked in sales previously we would never spec a tractor with them on unless a customer insisted for the same reason, all were ordered with Michelin rubber due to Trelleborgs reputation currently.

 

[grass man]

For the tire experts, I have a tractor on standard 650/85r38. They are due for replacement, can I get a 710vf tire the same diameter to fit on the 23 inch wide rim or would a 650/85r38vf be sufficient for drilling with a 3m combi. Tia

 

[Gerbert]

Go to the manufacturers website, they list the recommended rimsize and sometimes alternative rims. I don't think there is a 710 alternative on a 38 inch rim, bkt does a vf710/75r38 but that will still be a lower tyre.

 

[gone]

Go to the manufacturers website, they list the recommended rimsize and sometimes alternative rims. I don't think there is a 710 alternative on a 38 inch rim, bkt does a vf710/75r38 but that will still be a lower tyre.

Are you sure?
I think a 710/75r38 would be very similar height and rolling circumference wise, compared to a 650/85r38?

 

[gone]

For the tire experts, I have a tractor on standard 650/85r38. They are due for replacement, can I get a 710vf tire the same diameter to fit on the 23 inch wide rim or would a 650/85r38vf be sufficient for drilling with a 3m combi. Tia

650/85r38s should be a good tyre for 3M, you can let the pressure way down, if doing a lot of top work 710s maybe slightly better, but I would consider your 650s to be more allrounders.

 

[PSQ]

Had Michelin Xeobibs 710/60R42 on a 6480. Great topwork tyre, good wear but they are not a tyre for heavy mounted implements, quite low load index, better going for the Axiobib in that size if you plan ploughing or heavy combi.

Xeobibs are the better VF tyre, but will typically only take a fully mounted 5 furrow plough or 3m mounted primary cultivator (Trio, Terano etc).
And you need to be on top of the tyre pressures to get the most out of them, no point rolling at 14psi (max pressure) and leaving ruts, when they can pull a 12m set of rollers at 6.5 psi (7.5 tonne tractor) and not leave a mark.
But there a damn sight easier to live with than front and rear duals.

 

[Gerbert]

Are you sure?
I think a 710/75r38 would be very similar height and rolling circumference wise, compared to a 650/85r38?

There is a little between them, you might get away with it, you might not

 

[gone]

BKT

 

[ih1455xl]

If you going for vf tyres you need central tyre inflation to get the most out of them

 

[Mark C]

Got a set of 650 75 38 brigestones after reading good reviews on here. Higher load rating than 650/60 42 axiobib 2’s. Only done 150 hours so far mainly mowing and baling. New set of VF BKT’s to go on the sprayer tractor when row crops come off.