The Importance of TPMS and Load Monitoring on Agricultural Tires

The Importance of TPMS and Load Monitoring on Agricultural Tires

Agricultural tires are a critical component in the efficiency and productivity of modern farming. The integration of advanced technologies such as Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS), Central Tire Inflation Systems (CTIS), and load monitoring are revolutionizing the way farmers manage their equipment. These systems play a significant role in preserving the integrity of the soil, optimizing crop yield, and maximizing the longevity of tires. Let’s take a deeper dive into the importance of these technologies in modern agriculture.

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TPMS

On soil, typically lower tire pressures are favored to minimize soil compaction, increase traction, and reduce slippage. This can be attributed to the larger contact surface of the tire with the soil, which reduces the stress on the soil and provides better traction. Agricultural tires are specifically formulated with low sidewalls and can operate at lower pressures and high load-bearing capacity. Tires rated IF (Increased Flexion) can operate at 20% less pressure with the same load as the standard Agricultural tire, while VF tires (Very High Flexion) can operate at 40% less pressure than the standard tire. This also means IF and VF tires can carry 20% and 40% more load, respectively.

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CTIS

Central Tire Inflation Systems (CTIS) allows operators to adjust the tire pressure, providing real-time control over tire inflation. This is particularly useful in agriculture, where machinery frequently moves between different terrains. CTIS can be a great investment, but it depends on the type of farm that is in question. On a small farm, the return on investment may take a longer time than on a larger farm. When moving from soft soil to the road, CTIS becomes crucial in protecting your tires. Using higher pressure on the road is not only beneficial, but will reduce premature wear on the tire, reduce fuel consumption, and prevent blowouts. The ability to switch seamlessly from soil to the road with optimized pressure will increase savings dramatically, particularly in tire and fuel savings.

The Role of Central Tire Inflation Systems (CTIS)

1. Optimized Performance: CTIS enables operators to reduce tire pressure when operating on soft soil to increase the contact area and minimize soil compaction. Conversely, tire pressure can be increased for road travel to reduce rolling resistance and improve fuel efficiency.  Tire pressure can also be tied to load and can decrease with decreasing loads or increase with increasing loads.
2. Increased Productivity: By quickly adjusting tire pressure to suit the terrain, CTIS helps maintain optimal machinery performance, enhancing productivity and reducing downtime.
3. Improved Tire Longevity: CTIS ensures that tires are always at the correct pressure, reducing wear and extending their lifespan.

The Significance of Load Monitoring

Load monitoring systems measure the weight distribution and load carried by each tire. In

Agriculture, where machinery often carries heavy and uneven loads, this technology is incredibly useful. Cerebrum sensors now have the ability to monitor load on the tires in real time. Let’s take a look at the benefits of monitoring load:

1. Preventing Soil Compaction: One of the most critical issues in farming is soil compaction, which can severely impact crop yields. Overloaded tires can compact the soil, reducing its porosity and the ability for water to infiltrate the soil. This can lead to poor root growth, reduced crop yields, and the formation of diseases. Once the soil is compacted, regenerative methods such as plowing and soil decompaction must take place to restore the soil to its original condition. This is costly and inefficient. Load monitoring helps ensure that the tires do not exceed the maximum load, preserving soil health. Using the lowest possible pressure while maintaining the load safely can improve crop yield 2% to 6%. *

1. Enhanced Traction and Performance: Proper load distribution ensures that tires maintain optimal contact with the ground, improving traction and overall performance. This is essential for tasks like plowing, planting, and harvesting, where machinery performance directly impacts productivity.
2. Reducing Wear and Tear: Uneven loads can cause uneven wear on tires, leading to premature failure. Load monitoring prevents this by ensuring that loads are evenly distributed across all tires.

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How Low Can You Go?

While lower pressure is favored on soil, there comes a point where the tire can fail due to excessive loads. Using Cerebrum’s load monitoring and Central Tire Inflation Systems (CTIS), the tires can be inflated to optimum levels during higher loads and can deflate as the load decreases. This level of optimization among TPMS, CTIS, and load monitoring is a trifecta that will protect the soil, prolong the health of the tire, increase yields, and reduce fuel consumption. Driving with optimum tire pressure on soil can increase crop yield by 2% to 6%. For a hypothetical example, in a 50-acre wheat farm the crop yield could be 2000 bushels normally, which can amount to $12,000 if assuming a bushel is 6$. Optimizing tire pressure for the soil can increase the yield up to 2,120 bushels, which amounts to $12,720. These savings do not include saved fuel, saved time, better tire longevity, and without the need to plow the soil again. Cerebrum is the best companion for modern agriculture.