Farm tyre manufacturer Yokohama TWS has entered the market for harvester tracks with the new Trelleborg ART1000 traction belt, while also bringing its long-running TM800 reduced profile tyres up to date with a new tread design.

The agricultural rubber track is said to draw on Trelleborg’s well-established expertise in designing, engineering and manufacturing a broad selection of both traction and flotation tyres for agricultural and industrial applications.

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High wear and cut resistance is claimed for the belt, which initially is available in a width of 635mm and a length of 6,634mm suitable for applications such as the Claas Terra Trac available on a number of different combine models.

There are 82 broad lugs arranged in a typical tractor traction pattern, each being 63mm deep and 162mm apart on a steel-reinforced carcass that is 35mm thick.

Updated TMs

Alongside this new venture, Trelleborg has started applying its ProgressiveTraction technology to its longest-running tyre range, the TM800, its lug-with-a-ledge concept having been proven on the firm’s other offerings such as the TM700 and high-horsepower TM1000.

The thicker lower section of the ProgressiveTraction lug – which creates the distinctive ledge – increases the surface area of the leading edge and reinforces the lug such that there is less “flick” when pressure on the lug is released as it emerges from the soil.

The former is said to increase traction by as much as 17% compared with an equivalent non-PT tyre, while the latter adds to the tyre’s durability and structural integrity.

Two sizes have already been released – 540/65 R28 and 650/65 R38 – with more being rolled out over the coming months.