17.2% higher traction, plus gains in productivity and fuel efficiency, confirmed by DLG in Germany.
GRI Achieves Major Milestone in Agricultural Tyre Performance
Global Rubber Industries (GRI) has been awarded the DLG Approved Quality Mark (Test Report 7616) for its GREEN XLR vFLEX 70 agricultural tyre tested for traction, productivity, fuel efficiency and soil preservation, following independent performance testing by DLG TestService in Groß-Umstadt, Germany. It is the most significant performance milestone in GRI’s history.
Using a John Deere 6R 215 tractor, DLG benchmarked the GREEN XLR vFLEX 70 against an established, market-leading VF reference tyre across four areas that matter most to farmers: traction, productivity, fuel efficiency and soil preservation.
The tractor was fitted with the following GRI sizes:
- Rear axle: GRI GREEN XLR vFLEX 70 710/70 R 42
- Front axle: GRI GREEN XLR vFLEX 70 600/70 R 30
GREEN XLR vFLEX 70 Performance Gains Against the VF Benchmark
Independent DLG testing confirmed improvements across three key areas:
- 17.2% higher traction, helping transfer more tractor power to the ground.
- 3% higher productivity, allowing farmers to cover more hectares per hour.
- 3% lower fuel consumption per hectare, reducing operating costs and improving fuel efficiency.
All results compare the selected VF benchmark tyre under the defined DLG test conditions.
Independent DLG Testing Confirms Performance Gains
DLG concluded: “Overall, the GRI Green XLR vFLEX 70 impressed in the tested trials, particularly in terms of traction, productivity, and energy efficiency.”
The results deliver a powerful message to the agricultural industry: GRI is not simply competing with established tyre brands; it is demonstrating measurable performance advantages against a market-leading benchmark.
These results represent more than a technical achievement. They highlight GRI’s commitment to delivering performance that supports efficient field operations, reduced operating costs and stronger returns on agricultural investments.
“These results are an important milestone for GRI and a clear validation of what our engineering teams have been working toward,” said Suresh Damodaran, Head of Technical at GRI.
“Independent testing by DLG now gives farmers measurable evidence of how our tyres perform in the field.”
More Grip. More Power Where It Matters
Better traction means more of the tractor’s power reaches the ground, and less is lost to wheel slip. In the DLG evaluation, the GREEN XLR vFLEX 70 delivered 17.2% higher traction than the benchmark tyre. Put simply, it helps farmers use the power they already have more effectively.
Greater Productivity. Making Every Working Hour Count
With narrow operating windows and unpredictable weather, farmers need to get more done in the time available. DLG assessed productivity in hectares per hour, taking into account drawbar force, driving speed and wheel slip. The vFLEX 70 achieved 3% higher productivity than the benchmark.
What could this mean over a season? At a work rate of 4 hectares per hour over 1,000 operating hours, a 3% gain would add around 120 extra hectares of coverage in the same working time.
Illustrative calculation based on a constant work rate. Actual gains depend on field conditions, equipment and operating practices.
Less Fuel. Greater Value from Every Litre
With fuel a major operating cost for farmers and contractors, DLG measured hourly fuel consumption during productive field work. The vFLEX 70 used 3% less fuel per hectare than the benchmark tyre.
What could 3% mean in fuel costs? For a tractor using 20 litres of fuel per hectare, a 3% reduction saves about 0.6 litres per hectare. Over 1,000 hectares, that is around 600 litres, or about €900 at €1.50 per litre (about $634 at $4.00 per US gallon).
Illustrative example, not a measured DLG cost-saving result. Actual savings depend on operating conditions, fuel consumption, working hours and fuel prices.
Independent Results Farmers Can Trust
Rather than relying on internal evaluations alone, GRI chose to put its tyres through independent testing by DLG, one of Germany’s most recognised agricultural testing organisations. DLG also evaluated the tyre’s soil protection. However, the soil-protection assessment is only partially conclusive, as usable measurements were available only from a soil depth of 20 cm under the chosen test conditions.
“For farmers, the real value lies in what these numbers mean in the field,” Damodaran added. “Stronger traction, higher productivity and lower fuel consumption all contribute to more efficient operations and better returns on their equipment. Our objective is not simply to manufacture high-performance tyres, but to develop solutions that deliver measurable value to the people who depend on them every day.”
GRI’s Ambition, Backed by Performance
The DLG evaluation marks a defining moment in GRI’s continued evolution as a global speciality tyre manufacturer. Delivering favourable results against an established, market-leading VF benchmark in traction, productivity, and hourly fuel consumption demonstrates GRI’s growing technical capabilities. It reflects the engineering approach behind its wider agricultural range.
For farmers and agricultural contractors, the implications are clear: the right tyre choice comes down to measurable performance, operating efficiency and long-term value in the field. By combining independently proven field performance with a focus on efficiency and operating economics, GRI is strengthening its proposition as a compelling choice for farmers worldwide.
While total cost of ownership depends on additional factors, including purchase price, service life, maintenance and operating conditions, the DLG findings provide strong evidence of the performance and efficiency advantages that contribute to overall value.
With the GREEN XLR vFLEX 70, GRI has shown it can deliver measurable gains against an established, market-leading VF benchmark. This milestone is more than a successful test. It is a statement of GRI’s ambition, engineering progress and commitment to bringing proven agricultural tyre performance to customers around the world.
