A new fully integrated tire pressure monitoring system for John Deere 8R Series tractors equipped with independent suspension (ILS) is now available from the factory and dealers.
This John Deere-manufactured system with on-board compressor allows the tractor operator to continuously monitor and adjust tire pressure at the touch of a button. Continuously optimizing tire pressure can improve efficiency in both the field and on the road, improving overall tractor performance than ever before.
Low tire pressure in the field helps prevent soil compaction, protects soil structure by reducing wheel fuel consumption and bulldozer effect, and increases traction performance. On the other hand, high tire pressure on the road improves driving behavior, and rolling resistance and tire wear are reduced.
In addition, fuel consumption is significantly lower. Thus, the environment benefits from lower CO2 emissions and farmers benefit from higher yields and lower operating costs.
Ground pressures as low as 3 pounds per square inch
Tires can be deflated for field work to increase their contact area by nearly 25 percent, with a reduction in ground pressure of up to 3 pounds per square inch, resulting in 2 to 4 percent less wheel slippage. It also helps increase field speed while reducing soil compaction and smearing. Back on the road, a simple push of a button re-inflates the tires to the optimum pressure for driving and transport.
John Deere’s new Central Tire Inflation System (CTIS) can be easily set via the tractor’s CommandCenter display, and features uniquely fast inflation and deflation.
For example, the internal pressure on a large tire combination (710 / 75R42s with 650 / 60R34s) can be increased from 0.8 to 1.8 bar in less than six and a half minutes, while it takes less than four minutes to deflate the tire. This is due to the internal diameter of the ducts, which is 33% larger than other solutions.
An external compressed air connection allows even faster inflation, for example, by drawing air from the slurry tank compressor. If necessary, an air gun can also be connected for cleaning. Rugged fabric hoses are used instead of the usual plastic ducting and are securely attached to the front and rear wheels of the tractor.
John Deere is also responding to customer demands for higher performance tires and increasingly offers a wider selection of VF (very high deflection) options. Consequently, this allows operators to operate with minimal tire pressure even when using higher ballast weights.
