In the agricultural sector and propulsion systems, a gradual shift has been underway for years, with traditional tires giving way to rubber tracks in applications involving high power or vehicles working on extremely soft ground or steep slopes. While this phenomenon is not new—tracks have always been an alternative to tires for providing machines with high traction, ground flotation, and stability—traditional metal tracks had significant functional limitations, restricting their use to specific niche applications.
However, the introduction of rubber tracks has radically transformed the situation. Unlike metal tracks, rubber tracks can fully replace tires without operational constraints, offering superior traction and reduced soil compaction. Initially produced only by specialized companies, rubber tracks have recently drawn interest from manufacturers traditionally focused on tires. Some of these manufacturers have adopted rubber tracks in both design and production.
The latest example is the launch of the “Art1000” at Eima, Trelleborg Tires‘ first rubber track, designed to outfit high-powered tractors. Built on Trelleborg’s technological expertise, it offers operators long-lasting performance due to its durability and wear resistance, combined with high operational efficiency and versatility. Primarily intended for field operations, these tracks can also be used on roads at the same speeds as agricultural tires, making them ideal for contractors frequently traveling between fields who need maximum productivity and soil preservation once in the field.
Specific tread design
This is achieved through an innovative tread design that grips the ground without causing damage while also offering excellent self-cleaning capabilities. This characteristic is shared with Trelleborg Tires’ agricultural tires, particularly the “TM1000 ProgressiveTraction,” which are among the key competitors to these new tracks.
The “TM1000 ProgressiveTraction” tires were also designed to meet the demands of advanced, industrialized agriculture, which requires high-powered machines equipped with tires that minimize soil impact. This goal is achieved through a structure allowing the tires to be certified as “VF” (Very High Flexion), meaning they can operate at lower pressures, and through a patented double-lug design. These lugs are reinforced by a sort of buttress that improves grip on the ground while reducing vibrations, providing greater comfort on the road.
Title: Trelleborg Tires “Art1000”, tracks vs wheels
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