Alliance field tests highlight impact of tyre pressure in transport work
Alliance Tyres recently conducted field demonstrations in the UK to show how tyre pressure makes a measurable difference to fuel consumption in everyday farming operations — particularly in mixed transport and field applications where tyre setup plays a critical role.
During controlled demonstrations earlier this year, the Alliance Agriflex+ 373 tyre was tested in tractor–trailer transport applications under varying inflation pressures. Using the same tractor, trailer, load, driver and route throughout the tests, operators compared fuel consumption, handling and driving comfort under different tyre pressure settings.
One demonstration was carried out over a mixed 17km route including rural roads, urban sections and expressway driving. Tests showed that adjusting tyre pressures from 0.8 bar to 1.2–1.4 bar significantly improved fuel efficiency while maintaining high levels of comfort and stability during transport work.
Depending on operating conditions and pressure setup, fuel consumption differences of up to 20 per cent were recorded. Under more typical operating conditions, savings of around 13 per cent were observed, with potential reductions in fuel costs reaching approximately €78 over a 300km working day.
Beyond fuel efficiency, operators also reported smoother handling characteristics and lower perceived noise levels during transport operations.
Alliance Tyres said the demonstrations highlighted how tyre pressure management can directly influence rolling efficiency, traction and the transfer of power to the ground — particularly in high-load transport applications.
The results reflect the principles behind VF (Very High Flexion) tyre technology, which allows tyres to operate at lower inflation pressures while maintaining load-carrying capacity.
By increasing the tyre footprint, lower operating pressures help distribute weight more evenly across the soil surface, supporting reduced soil compaction and helping preserve soil structure and fertility during field work. At the same time, transport operations demand stability, comfort and safe handling — especially when working with heavy loads or travelling longer distances between fields.
For Stefan Vogelsang, farmer and content creator from Germany, balancing those demands is part of everyday operation.
“Our soils vary greatly, from sandy to loamy, and we also have transport distances of up to 15km between farm and fields,” he explained. “The Agriflex+ 373 has impressed us both on the road and in the field. Even under high loads and at higher transport speeds, the tyre remains very stable, while still allowing low operating pressures during heavy draft work in the field. That combination is difficult to achieve with standard tyres.”
Vogelsang uses the tyres on a 160 hp John Deere tractor for transport work, fertilisation and crop protection applications, where rear axle loads can reach up to 10,000 kg.
In the UK, farmer, contractor and content creator Olly Harrison has also been using the Agriflex+ 373 in demanding mixed-use applications, with approximately 50 per cent road work and 50 per cent field work on a 300 hp Valtra tractor.
“We use the tyres for a mix of road and field work, including heavy draft applications, and the grip levels have really stood out,” said Harrison. “We’ve also noticed quieter operation, strong traction and improved fuel economy.”
As farms and contractors continue to balance transport efficiency, field performance and soil protection, tyre setup is becoming an increasingly important part of overall machine optimisation — both on the road and in the field.
Kevin Burke Tyres (KBT) is the approved distributor of Alliance Tyres in Ireland.