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How to manage tyre sidewall damage in the field?

How to manage tyre sidewall damage in the field?

How to manage tyre sidewall damage in the field?

When you return from the fields, you may find that the tyre sidewalls of your farm machinery are damaged. It's not uncommon for them to be affected by soil components, and although the damage caused is often superficial, it can sometimes be more serious. How does this damage occur? Can it be repaired? What can be done to prevent it? Find out the answers from our experts. 

SUMMARY:

 

The different types of tyre sidewall damage 

There can be different levels of aggression due to soil components, causing more or less serious accidental damage depending on the case. 

1 - Superficial tyre damage 

Light scratches are a type of superficial tyre sidewall damage that generally do not worsen and do not require immediate repair. If in doubt, have your tyres checked by a professional. 


Superficial tyre sidewall damage on AG tyre

Superficial tyre sidewall damage on AG tyre

2 - Significant tyre damage

Visible plies on the tyre sidewall 

If you notice this type of tyre sidewall damage, you need to act quickly because over time it will degrade through the infiltration of moisture, aggressive chemicals, exposure to soil and the acidity of grass. We recommend that you contact your tyre professional so that he can study the damage and give you his opinion. 

An impact that tore off a piece of rubber

If a piece of rubber is missing, it's wise to take the tyre to a professional as soon as possible to see if it can be repaired. In some cases, adding rubber may be sufficient. The tyre specialist may have to dismount the tyre to check for visible damage from the inside. 


Significant tyre sidewall damage on AG tyre

Significant tyre sidewall damage on ag tyre

Can my tyre be repaired? 

Since every case is different, it is obviously the repair specialist who will be able to judge whether the tyre is repairable or not. 

In this video, a professional tyre repairer examines several cases of repairable and non-repairable tyres. He also explains and demonstrates all the steps involved in a repair. 

Is my agricultural tyre repairable? Report

Does a tyre sidewall damage repair involve the immobilisation of my vehicle? 

Fortunately not! Your tyre will be replaced with a recovery tyre so that you can continue your activity while the professional carries out his repair work. 

Why do soil components attack tyres? 

Cultivated plants are evolving in such a way as to withstand various conditions, particularly climatic ones, such as strong winds. The plants are becoming more resistant and the stems more robust, which means that they come into greater conflict with the rubber than in the past. 

Farmers who have seen several generations pass through tell how, a long time ago, every season, grown sunflowers would find themselves lying on the ground after a violent wind blow. Today, they remain upright despite the storms. 

The plants are becoming more resistant and the stems more robust

The plants are becoming more resistant and the stems more robust

Among the most aggressive crops are corn, whose stalks, which are long and rigid, are likely to cause pronounced wear on the tyre sidewall due to friction. Colza and stubble are also known to attack the tyre, but more on the tread. 

How can I prevent tyre sidewall damage? 

1 - By choosing the right tyres 

Due to the evolution of plants, some crops have needs for more resistant tyres to avoid tyre sidewall damage. 

Choosing resistant tyres will therefore help you to prevent potential damage. We have a range of tyres specially designed to reduce the risk of an unexpected repair or premature replacement. 

For example, MICHELIN YIELDBIB , a low-pressure tyre for high-powered tractors, is marked "Stubble Shield", meaning it offers resistance to tyre damage caused by stubble. 

MICHELIN MEGAXBIB 2 tyre, designed for harvesting machinery, is also marked "Stubble Shield" and offers extra protection with a steel reinforced tread and a reinforced carcass that offers excellent puncture resistance. 

MICHELIN MEGAXBIB 2 stubble shield protection

MICHELIN MEGAXBIB 2 stubble shield protection

MICHELIN MEGAXBIB 2

High-coverage tread lugs (1) provide high protection against damage from stubble and stems.

Find the right MICHELIN tyres for you use

Commercial warranty against accidental tyre sidewall damage => optional content, only if you have a warranty in you country. If not go directly to "2- By applying the right pressure"

Good to know: Michelin encourages the use of its technological agricultural tyres with warranties against accidental damage that cannot be repaired. This means that by equipping yourself with specially designed MICHELIN tyres, you benefit from resistance to the aggressions in the field, which considerably reduces the risk of major tyre sidewall damage. You are also covered with a commercial retrocession if the tyre cannot be repaired.

Find out more about our warranties. => make hyperlink to your warranty page, as example in France https://pro.michelin.fr/agriculture/services-agriculture/garanties-commerciales

2 - By applying the right pressure 

If a tyre is over-inflated for the work it has to do, it will be very tense, making it more vulnerable to cuts. Conversely, a tyre pressure adapted to your use, in relation to your load and speed, will ensure performance and reduce the risk of tyre sidewall damage caused by plant aggression. 

3 - By adding a preventive tool to your machine 

Another preventive measure is to use tools to flatten the plants before the tyres pass over them. Some farmers, for example, add an accessory tool between the cutterbar and the tyres of their combine harvester, which presses down on the stalks to prevent them from damaging the tyres. 

To find out more about preventing tyre damage, read our article "How to avoid tyre damage?". 

Find the right MICHELIN tyres for you use


Need more advice? Discover our tyre damage and wear guide

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