FW & JM Douglas, a mixed beef and arable farming company near Malton, North Yorkshire, has more than doubled tyre life on its JCB 536-60 Agri Loadall after switching to Michelin BibLoad Hard Surface tyres.
The 460/70 R 24 BibLoad fitments have clocked up more than 2,000 hours’ work to date – nearly double that recorded by the previous-generation Michelin XMCL tyres they replaced – and the company predicts the fitments will run a further 1,000 hours before they need replacing.
John Douglas, Farm Manager at FW & JM Douglas says: “We were looking for a durable, long-lasting and safe tyre that could cope with intensive use on concrete, without compromising in-field performance. After seeking advice from our local Exelagri dealer, Terry Elsey Tyres, it was clear that we’d found the best specification fitment in Michelin’s BibLoad tyres.
“After two years’ hard work on the JCB, we’ve been seriously impressed by how well the tyres have performed. The machine is working more efficiently as it has a better grip on the concrete, and the tyres seem to ‘soak up’ the vibrations, making it more comfortable to operate over long periods,” Mr Douglas adds.
The JCB Loadall is a busy part of FW & JM Douglas’ fleet, which also includes another Loadall, one JCB Fastrac tractor, a John Deere tractor and three Deutz-Fahr tractors. The Loadall has a mixed workload including feeder wagon loading for the farm’s 850-head beef herd and loading the on-site anaerobic digester. FW & JM Douglas also runs a combine and a sprayer, both shod with Michelin Ultraflex Technology tyres – a range designed to limit soil compaction, thanks to their ability to run at low pressures in the field.
“We’ve specified Michelin for a number of years, and we opt for Michelin tyres wherever possible – particularly for our heavier machines in the field. The Ultraflex range, and now our BibLoad Hard Surface tyres, offer a fantastic return on our investment,” Mr Douglas says.
Michelin BibLoad Hard Surface tyres are designed for work on hard surfaces, whether dry, wet or greasy, and feature a unique diamond-shaped tread block. Resistance to wear-and-tear is enhanced by the tread and shoulder blocks, while the tyres’ longevity is the result of an increased ground contact patch of 44 per cent, compared to the equivalent previous-generation XMCL tyres.
With 12 bevelled edges to each diamond-shaped block, greater transverse grip is provided on slippery ground, and mud and debris can be cleaned quicker from the tread grooves. Operator comfort is enhanced by the 96 tread blocks, which come into contact with the ground in an offset fashion, rather than simultaneously, reducing vibration.
For more information about the range of Michelin farm tyres available visit http://agricultural.michelin.co.uk.
