increase font size
Progressive Traction technology sees an innovative tread lug design, with a 160% increase in comfort over tracks.
While the last fifty years has seen massive evolution and development of the humble tractor tyre, the last two decades have seen its weaknesses addressed with the arrival of rubber track systems.
The concept offers less damage to the soil, increased traction and potentially higher operating speeds, but in most cases, the configuration of the systems doesn’t lend itself to the orchard or vineyard sectors, where narrow rows and often sloping terrain cause issues.
Trelleborg has addressed the problem of protecting the topsoil and reducing damage to tree roots or vines with its PneuTrac hybrid system, said to offer the advantages of rubber tracks, with reduced overall width and less lateral slippage.
The design of PneuTrac sees the traditional tyre sidewall changed to Cup Wheel Technology, with the ability to carry loads, flexibility and importantly an increase in footprint of around 10% for a similar sized conventional tyre, which helps to reduce soil compaction.
Progressive Traction technology sees an innovative tread lug design, with a wide lug base increasing traction by up to 6%, stability, particularly on slopes, improved self-cleaning capability, a 60% improvement in handling and steering, as well as a 160% increase in comfort over tracks.
Trelleborg notes that PneuTrac is around 20% lighter than typical track systems and is efficient over the whole contact area, unlike tracks, which deliver the best results at the rear of the assembly, ensuring there is a more even distribution of traction and a reduction in soil damage.
One impressed user of PneuTrac tyres is Ross Tanner of Tanner Spraying, contractors based in Katikati. Having run the system on his New Holland tractor since 2022, Ross comments, “the PneuTrac tyres mean I can go places I couldn’t go to before and with much less mess”.
“We strongly believe that Pneu- Trac is a game changer for the NZ viticulture market, demonstrating a commitment to sustainable farming by helping to protect some of our most valuable agricultural assets,” says Mark Prentice, national sales manager for TRS Tyre & Wheel Ltd.
“With the roots of vines susceptible to damage, the system helps preserve the structure of the topsoil by reducing lateral machine slippage that could easily be a disaster for both the soil and roots,” says Mark.
PneuTrac is available in VF sizes 280/70R18, 280/70R20, 420/70R28 and 480/65R28.
The market is in decline in the United States, Canada and Brazil. In Europe, sales are falling in Germany, France and Spain. Turkey is experiencing a sharp decline, whilst the economic strategies and policies implemented by India and China are driving purchases in both countries.
Areare Farms, a dairy operation in the Waikato region spanning multiple properties and milking 760 cows, now has Jenna and her brother Brian Rogers, the third generation of the family business, working alongside their parents Phil and Jackie.
Hamilton-based manufacturer SAM Machinery and Hawke’s Bay’s Tabula have joined forces to offer customers more ways to connect its spreaders with the technology they already use in the cab.
Installing two GEA DairyRobots R9500s marks a major step in the Coubrough family’s journey towards a more automated, future-ready farming operation.
Claas built its first variable chamber round baler - the Variant 100 - in 1996, so 2026 marks 30 years and the fifth generation of the Variant name, recently complemented by the new Cerex Series introduced in 2025.
Three men have been sentenced in District Courts after Ministry for Primary Industries prosecutions over animal welfare, food safety and cattle tracing offences.
Fonterra’s 2026 financial year was a year of delivery, with record volumes of milk collected, processed and shipped by the co-op.
OPINION: The Government's decision to reinstate agriculture and horticultural science as a standalone subject from Year 11 is the right one.
Dairy farmers, still holding onto their Fonterra shares despite switching milk supply elsewhere or exiting the industry, now face a stricter share sell-down requirement.
Hamilton-based agritech company Aimer Farming has completed a $3 million capital raise to support its next stage of growth, including a beef farming product due to launch in 2027.
When dairy manager Miriam Lauridsen learned the farm, she was joining held weekly health and safety meetings, she initially thought that was “a bit over the top”. Experiencing that culture changed her mind.
OPINION: The same mainstream media muppets that brought you Jacindamania in 2017 have been flat out pimping for the Opportunities…
OPINION: Your old mate reckons the atrocious way farmers in the UK are treated by their lords and masters in…
