Maximizing Sprayer Efficiency with Mitas HC 1000

Self-propelled sprayers are a very special category of agricultural machines. They are unmistakable in the field thanks to their tall wheels and long, outstretched working arms that resemble the wings of a mythical bird. They usually operate between the rows of the crops being treated so as not to damage them, and this requires both unbelievable driving precision and the right tyres. These are, therefore, usually very narrow with a large diameter, even if some agricultural machinery manufacturers have recently been asking for wider versions for sprayers used outside the growing season.

To ensure a sprayer can work as long as possible without needing its tank refilled, key characteristics of these tyres include high load capacities and operating speeds. The Mitas tyre offer consists of the HC 1000 High Capacity (HC) radial tyres for this type of use. One secret of their success is the unique sidewalls and shoulder area construction.

The increasing weights and load capacities of modern machines used by today’s farmers
have raised concerns about soil damage through compaction. Tyre manufacturers are thus faced with a seemingly impossible task — to deliver tyres capable of carrying large loads at high operating speeds while permitting significantly lower inflation pressures.

Flexibility is key:

Such is the dilemma facing the designers of modern agricultural tyres. “It is something of an eternal struggle. Luckily, in this case, we have a solution in the form of narrow tyres with a unique construction that significantly increases sidewall flexibility, thus enlarging the footprint. The HC 1000 tyres use the VF(Very High Flexion) construction,” explains Pavel  Kott, Product Manager for Mitas farming tyres. The VF construction gives these tyres around 40% higher load capacity with better traction, ground protection and crop yields.

The possibility of lower inflation pressure under the same loading significantly enlarges their
footprint compared to radial tyres without the VF construction. Of course, not all tyres can safely operate at low inflation pressures. Their construction must be designed flexibly, yet they also need sufficient strength to withstand any damage during operation. “The firm seating of the bead in the rim, even under extremely low inflation pressures and high loading, is ensured through the special construction used in Mitas VF tyres. This prevents the tyre from slipping in the rim and ensures safe tyre operation even under such extremely demanding conditions,” Kott explains.

New Addition to HC 1000:
Mitas has launched two new HC 1000 tyre sizes based on demand from the North American market, primarily intended for the latest generation of self-propelled sprayers with high load capacities and operating speeds.

“Our latest tyres are ready for an entirely new generation of these machines, and in terms of size and specifications, are ready to rise to the challenge,” states Kott. Compared to the rest of the HC 1000 range, they typically have wide dimensions (650 and 750 mm) and the special NRO (Narrow Rim Option) design. This brings users a significant benefit: although VF tyres need wider rims than standard tyres of the same size, the NRO version of VF tyres can be used on standard rims while retaining all the required characteristics and operational safety.

“At Mitas, we want to provide a reliable solution for all our customers' work. Our newest additions to the HC 1000 range have already shown tremendous promise for US original equipment manufacturers on the latest generation of high-load and self-propelled sprayers. Seeing this initial success, we are excited to bring these tyres to customers worldwide,” adds Pavel Kott.

Another bonus is that in the HC 1000 range, Mitas offers several sizes of sprayers tyres that are simply not available from competitors and is preparing the further significant expansion of this range.

In conclusion, Mitas has proven to be a reliable solution for farmers looking for tyres with high load capacities and operating speeds. The HC 1000 range offers unique sidewall construction and the VF construction, which significantly increases sidewall flexibility, enlarges the footprint, and delivers up to 40% higher load capacity. With the launch of the two new HC 1000 tyre sizes based on demand from the North American market, Mitas is ready to rise to the challenge of high-load and self-propelled sprayers worldwide. Moreover, Mitas has differentiated itself from its competitors by offering several sizes for sprayers tyres that are simply not available elsewhere. As such, Mitas is poised to become a market leader in the agricultural machinery industry.