With Bridgestone agricultural tyres, the Florian Mähr Agricultural Contracting Company achieves high performance for all types of agricultural work, even on varying soil conditions and on slopes.
Performance and Soil Protection
Changing soil conditions present particular challenges for the Florian Mähr Agricultural Contracting Company in ensuring efficient and, at the same time, soil-friendly operations. Traction is essential, especially on slopes, which is the case in the hilly landscapes of Upper Swabia and the Allgäu, where the businessoperates. Florian Mähr covers tasks ranging from soil cultivation and sowing to harvesting, spreading moist lime and winter services, using Bridgestone VT-Tractor and the Bridgestone VX-Tractor tyres to support these operations, where load capacity, traction and pulling power are essential.
“The hilly terrain is not the only challenge for farmers in Upper Swabia and the Allgäu,” explains Florian Mähr, Managing Director of Florian Mähr Agricultural Contracting Company. “Due to above-average rainfall in the region, around 1,000 to 1,200 mm per year, we carry out six grass cuts per season. This requires tyres that are particularly gentle on the turf. Long transport distances are also not uncommon; with our silo bag press, we even operate in Upper Bavaria and Austria. Accordingly, driving comfort, high mileage and load capacity are essential.”
Operations requiring high load capacity, including linkage hydraulics usage and speeds of up to 60 km/h, were the reason why Florian Mähr opted for Bridgestone tyres, specifically the VT-Tractor tyre range.
“The Bridgestone VT-Tractor combines high mileage with outstanding traction while protecting the soil,” emphasises Christoph Frost, Director Commercial Products, Bridgestone Central Europe. “Thanks to an innovative lug design, the agricultural tyres ensure optimal interlocking with the ground, even on challenging slopes. This makes them an ideal choice for agricultural contractors. The VT-Tractor in particular sets the highest standards with VF technology. It protects the soil and enables the transport of loads up to 40% heavier.”
Bridgestone VT-Tractor, VX-Tractor and VT-Combine
Following positive experiences with the Bridgestone VT-Tractor, the company has extended the use of Bridgestone’s products to four agricultural machines:
- Fendt 933 tractor fitted with Bridgestone VT-Tractor tyres in sizes VF600/70 R34 and VF710/75 R42
- Fendt 826 tractor fitted with Bridgestone VT-Tractor tyres in sizes VF600/70 R30 and VX-Tractor tyres in size 710/70 R42
- JCB Fastrac 4220 tractor fitted with Bridgestone VT-Tractor tyres in size VF710/55 R30
- Claas Jaguar 950 forage harvester fitted with Bridgestone VT-Combine tyres in size IF800/70 R32 CFO
The two Fendt tractors each operate around 1,000 hours per year, the JCB Fastrac 700 hours and the Claas forage harvester 450 hours. Thanks to Bridgestone tyres and an extra-wide track width of 220 cm, the Fendt 933 achieves improved stability on steep slopes. The Fendt 826, fitted with Bridgestone VX-Tractor tyres, handles most transport tasks with heavy loads at 60 km/h. The robust and durable carcass and the resistant rubber compound of the agricultural tyre contribute to an extended service life.
“The VX-Tractor offers long-term traction and optimal stability, particularly when transporting the heaviest loads,” explained Christoph Frost. “On agricultural land as well as on the road, the tyre increases productivity and is highly versatile. In addition, it meets the highest standards in terms of self-cleaning and driving comfort.”
At the contractor’s request, the JCB Fastrac 4220 was fitted with Bridgestone agricultural tyres directly upon delivery. Thanks to all-wheel steering and excellent manoeuvrability, this tractor is used particularly on small plots and for winter services. The forage harvester is also equipped for the contractor’s tasks with the Bridgestone VT-Combine. The tyre offers 20% higher load capacity compared with standard tyres, increasing working speed in the field. In addition, it provides improved stability at lower inflation pressure and a resulting larger footprint. The Bridgestone VT-Combine and the tyre pressure control system of the Claas Jaguar 950.
According to Florian Mähr, the performance of Bridgestone’s agricultural tyres has proven itself: “The essential tyre characteristics for our operation are high pulling power, a large contact area, stability on slopes and high load capacity. The latter is essential for us because all implements are operated via linkage hydraulics. The performance of Bridgestone’s premium tyres is ideal for us. During transport operations, the tractors travel at speeds of up to 60 km/h. With Bridgestone premium tyres, we achieve excellent driving comfort under heavy loads as well as very good service life.”
In addition, Bridgestone supports the contracting business not only in selecting the right tyres, but also with technical expertise through the Regional Manager Agricultural Tyres Southern Germany, Sven Scherhaufer. “We have very good contact with Bridgestone, including local contacts who support and advise us,” explains Florian Mähr. “As a result, we have great confidence in Bridgestone and the performance of its premium agricultural tyres. They enable us to handle peak workloads and long working days in agriculture efficiently.”
