Agricultural machine maker Ropa and Michelin were awarded the silver medal in the ‘Innovation’ category for their R-Soil Protect technology by the organizer of Agritechnica, which will take place in Hannover, Germany from November 10-14 2015.
The R-Soil Protect technology allows both the reduction of ground pressure and better distribution of the load with the common goal of Michelin and Ropa to ensure the sustainability of crop production and protection of the soil.
The principle of this collaboration between Michelin and Ropa is a hydraulic three-axle chassis which constantly spreads the load and avoids pressure peaks. The connection with the ground is provided by 1000/55 R32 MICHELIN CerexBib IF CFO tires which are equipped with MICHELIN Ultraflex technology and designed to work in the field at very low pressure.
R-Soil Protect technology developed by Michelin and ROPA brings the following five benefits:
- Better soil protection by only exerting 1 bar of pressure on the ground at the rear axle.
- Automatic load leveling through 6 hydraulic cylinders and sensors, maintaining a horizontal attitude on gradients of up to 10%.
- Stability and a uniform tension, reducing the risk of rutting.
- A 49% increase in the ground contact area of the tire.
- A reduction in pressure peaks of 8% on the front axle of the machine, 37% on the second axle and 43% on the third axle.
The Michelin CerexBib IF 1000/55 R32 CFO will be presented on both the Michelin and ROPA booths at Agritechnica 2015.