GREENVILLE, S.C., July 16, 2019 — Making its North American debut at Ag in Motion in Saskatchewan, the MICHELIN® FloatXBib™ is a dedicated tire solution for self-propelled spreaders for use with a high-load capacity in agricultural applications. Now available in IF 1000/55 R32 CFO size, this is Michelin’s first IF, or increased flexion, CFO flotation tire. An IF tire has the same rolling circumference as the industry-standard radial tire, but it can handle the same weight at up to 20% less air pressure or allow for 20% more load at the same pressure.
The MICHELIN FloatXBib has an innovative, patent-pending tread design to provide for better yields, greater comfort and increased productivity. The tire protects against soil compaction, reduces plant damage and provides comfort on the road.
“Producers often need to work in less than optimal conditions. Even when the fields are wet and muddy, they still expect the tires to provide the lowest compaction, floatation and stability, yet while on the road, they want speed, endurance and comfort,” said David Graden, agriculture operational marketing manager for Michelin North America. “The FloatXBib tire balances those complementary demands, providing the highest in-field load capacity* and the best speed index** on the road.”
In the field, FloatXBib is designed with:
- rounded shoulders for vegetation protection
- improved stubble resistance and wear
- doubled and reinforced shoulder lugs for improved contact patch
- reinforced central area with special lug design for improved comfort and speed
On the road, this tire is designed to achieve:
- speeds up to 40 mph**
- new casing architecture offers the advantages of Michelin Ultraflex technology
- greater wear resistance
- innovative rubber compound reduces heat build-up, increasing the speed
For more information on FloatXBib and other MICHELIN tires for agriculture applications, visit www.MichelinAg.com or contact your local Michelin Agriculture tire dealer.
About MICHELIN NORTH AMERICA
Dedicated to the improvement of sustainable mobility, Michelin designs, manufactures and sells tires for every type of vehicle, including airplanes, automobiles, bicycles, earthmovers, farm equipment, heavy-duty trucks and motorcycles. The Company has earned a long-standing reputation for building innovative premium tires. In addition to tires, the Company also publishes travel guides, hotel and restaurant guides, maps and road atlases. Headquartered in Greenville, S.C., Michelin North America employs more than 20,000 people and operates 19 major manufacturing plants in the U.S. and Canada. Forbes magazine has ranked Michelin No. 1 on its annual survey of “Best Large Employers in America” for 2018. Learn more about purpose-driven careers with a purpose-driven company at jobs.michelinman.com.
For more information, contact:
Mary Ann Kotlarich
Michelin North America
864-458-4884
Email: Mary-ann.kotlarich@michelin.com | www.michelinmedia.com
* Based on internal studies with a load of approximately 30,000 pounds moving at 18 mph in the field, the Michelin MegaXBib 2 T2 requires 55 psi vs 44 psi for Michelin FloatXBib.
** Based on internal studies with a speed of 40 mph on the road, Michelin MegaXBib 2 T2 has a load capacity of approximately 14,000 pounds vs. New Michelin FloatXBib load capacity of 24,000 pounds (a +70% increase).
