MAXAM AGRIXTRA XL VF 710/70 R42 & 600/70 R30

DLG-APPROVED: "Soil preservation, Fuel saving, Traction"

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Test report 7489

The approval

A test mark “DLG-APPROVED for individual criteria” is awarded for agricultural products which have successfully fulfilled a scope-reduced usability testing conducted by DLG according to independent and recognised evaluation criteria. The test is intended to highlight particular innovations and key criteria of the test object. The test may contain criteria from the DLG test scope for overall tests, or focus on other value-determining characteristics and properties of the test subject. The minimum requirements, test conditions and procedures as well as the evaluation bases of the test results will be specified in consultation with an expert group of DLG. They correspond to the recognised rules of technology, as well as scientific and agricultural knowledge and requirements. The successful testing is concluded with the publication of a test report, as well as the awarding of the test mark which is valid for five years from the date of awarding.

This test was conducted with the agricultural VF tractor tyres MAXAM AGRIXTRA XL VF 710/70 R 42 and MAXAM AGRIXTRA XL VF 600/70 R 30. These were tested against five reference tyres, one of which was from a premium manufacturer. Overall, three VF tyres and three standard tyres were tested in this test.

They were tested according to the DLG test module “Resources Protection”. As part of these tests, the traction and the transmitted tractive forces, the effect of the tyres on the ground and the fuel consumption under real-life conditions in the field and on the road are all measured. Other criteria were not tested.

Assessment – brief summary

The agricultural tractor tyre combination MAXAM AGRIXTRA XL VF 710/70 R 42 and MAXAM AGRIXTRA XL VF 600/70 R 30 impressed in the DLG test. Based on the results achieved, the ‘DLG-APPROVED test mark is awarded for the ‘Resource Protection’ testing module.

With a measured wheel load of 3,000 kg on the rear axle, the wheel contact area of the MAXAM AGRIXTRA XL VF at a soil-protecting tyre inflation pressure of 0.6 bar is 4,896 cm² (or 3,840 cm² at 1.3 bar). At 0.6 bar, the MAXAM AGRIXTRA XL VF therefore has the fourth-largest wheel contact area of the tyres examined in the test and generates a corresponding contact surface pressure of 0.61 kg/cm².

The measured soil pressures show a clear correlation between the wheel contact area and the depth of penetration. At a tyre inflation pressure of 0.6 bar, the MAXAM AGRIXTRA XL VF generated a soil pressure of 0.2 bar at a measured soil depth of 40 cm. 

The track depth of 7.3 cm was the lowest value measured at a tyre inflation pressure of 0.6 bar.

The MAXAM AGRIXTRA XL VF achieves a work rate of 2.68 ha/h at 10 kph and an average tractive force of 45 kN and therefore delivers the best result together with a reference tyre. 

The MAXAM AGRIXTRA XL VF has the lowest fuel consumption of all tested tyres in the field test and the transport test on the DLG chassis dyna-
mometer.
 

DLG QUALITY PROFILEEvaluation*
Soil protection
Wheel contact surface■■
Ground pressure■■■
Track depth■■■■■
Fuel savings
Field work■■■■■
Transportation journeys■■■■■
Traction
Area performance■■■■■

*    The DLG test framework provides the following options in its evaluation schemes:
■ ■ ■ or better = meets, exceeds or clearly exceeds the specified DLG standard, ■ ■  = meets the legal requirements for marketability, ■ = failed

The product

Figure 2: MAXAM AGRIXTRA XL VF

Description and technical data 

The following tyre combination for the front and rear axle was tested

Rear axle R: 
MAXAM AGRIXTRA XL VF 710/70 R 42

  • Tubeless radial tyre, R-1W
  • Tyre width [mm]: 716
  • Overall diameter [mm]: 2,061
  • Recommended rim: DW 25 B
  • Alternative rim: DW 23 B

Front axle F: 
MAXAM AGRIXTRA XL VF 600/70 R 30 

  • Tubeless radial tyre, R-1W
  • Tyre width [mm]: 611
  • Overall diameter [mm]: 1,602
  • Recommended rim: DW 21 B
  • Alternative rims: DW 20 B, DW 18 L, W 18 L

Table 2: MAXAM AGRIXTRA XL VF technical data

Tyre pressure [bar]

 

0,6

0,8

1,0

1,2

1,4

1,6

2

Driving speed [kph]Wheel load, rear axle/front axle [kg]
10

5.575 / 3.545

6.290 / 4.120

7.000 / 4.725

7.800 / 5.315

8.690 / 5.905

9.690 / 6.440

-

15

4.683 / 2.978

5.284 / 3.461

5.880 / 3.969

6.552 / 4.465

7.300 / 4.960

8.140 / 5.410

-

65

4.460 / 2.835

5.030 / 3.295

5.600 / 3.780

6.240 / 4.250

6.950 / 4.725

7.750 / 5.150

-

The method

DLG test module ‘Resources Protection’

The objective of testing agricultural tyres for tractors in the DLG test module ‘Resources Protection’ is to examine the tyres in terms of their effect on the soil and fuel consumption. To do this, the tyres are fitted on suitable tractors and tested in two sub-areas. 

Section 1 is a field test under practical conditions and section 2 is the transportation task test on the DLG chassis dynamometer.

Section 1 – Field Test

The measurement runs are conducted on suitable agricultural land under comparable conditions. The test areas must be sufficiently large, homogeneous, flat and prepared for the tests. The soil type and texture, vegetation if applicable, field history and test conditions such as the weather, soil moisture and characteristics are documented for this. During the test, the moisture volume in the soil is measured at a depth of 0 to 30 cm.

The measurements are conducted with a vehicle combination consisting of two tractors. The front tractor is fitted with the tyres to be tested and the rear tractor serves as a braking tractor. Both are connected using a sling with an integrated load cell (Figure 3). This enables field work to be simulated and tractive force/slip curves to be recorded at various tyre inflation pressures.

The tyre pressures to be set are selected from the manufacturer-specific air pressure tables (Table 1). 
It must be ensured in this process that the maximum permissible wheel loads are not exceeded. 

Two pressures are selected for the measurements

  • Minimum permissible tyre pressure for 10 kph (field work): 0.6 bar
  • Average tyre pressure for 50 kph: 1.3 bar

In order to classify the measurement results, comparison tests are conducted using reference tyres that are available on the market.

The following measurements are carried out for the evaluation

  • Lead ratio [%]
  • Tractive force/slip curve [kN;  %]
  • Wheel contact surface [cm²]
  • Ground pressure [bar]
  • Track depth after passage [cm]
  • Tractive power [kW]
  • Area performance [ha/h]
  • Fuel consumption [l/h]

The lead ratio is calculated from the rolling circum­ference of the front and rear tyres as well as the mechanical ratio of the tractor (front axle to rear axle) in all-wheel drive mode. The lead ratio can change depending on the tyre manufacturer. The lead ratio should be between 0.5 % and 5 %. Optimum values lie between 1.5 % and 3.5  %. 

The wheel contact surface of the individual tyre types is made visible by dusting the tyres and is then measured (Figure 4). The depth of the tyre imprint is also measured.
 

Figure 3: Vehicle combination
Figure 4: Wheel contact surface

The soil pressure generated on passage is measured with Bolling probes during the test. In this process, the pressure is measured at depths of 10 cm, 20 cm and 40 cm (Figure 5). The soil pressure decreases as the soil depth increases and (at a constant wheel load) is primarily influenced by the size of the tyre contact surface. The tyre contact surface can be changed via the tyre inflation pressure.

Section 2 – Transportation run on the DLG chassis dynamometer

In order to simulate transportation tasks, measurement runs are carried out on the DLG chassis dyna­mo­meter. The test method is based on the ‘DLG-
PowerMix’ testing framework. The overall transport test route consists of two different route sections

  • Uphill route that necessitates high tractive force
  • Flat land route that necessitates relatively low tractive force

The height profiles are determined in advance on real routes and stored in the test programme. The complete traction weight (tractor and trailer) is simulated from 10 t to 40 t depending on the output category of the tractor. The tyre pressure is set to 1.6 bar for all tyres. The position of the test vehicle on the dynamometer is not changed during the comparison test, which is why the tyre change takes place on the chassis dynamometer. Three measurement runs are carried out in each case: the run on the flat at both 40 kph and 50 kph, whereby the first measurement run is used for conditioning. 

The following are recorded during the measurement

  • Engine speed [rpm]
  • Specific fuel consumption [g/kWh]
  • AdBlue consumption [g/kWh]
  • Speed and time required [kph, s]

The essential technical parameters of the vehicles used that are relevant for the test are recorded and documented.

Figure 5: Soil pressure measurement with Bolling probes
Figure 6: Transportation run on the DLG chassis dynamometer

The test results in detail

Figure 7: Test area after passage
Figure 7: Test area after passage

Test area

The tests were carried out in March 2024 in the vicinity of Neumünster (Schleswig-Holstein) on a field sown with a frozen catch crop (oil radish). 

The soil type at the test location is sandy loam and the test area is extensively homogeneous and flat.

The moisture volume measured at random in the soil at a depth of 0 to 30 cm over the test period was around 40 %; the test area is therefore regarded as relatively wet.

Axle and tyre loads, rolling circumference, lead ratio and tyre inflation pressure

For the test, the tyres to be tested were fitted on a STEYR Absolut 6280 CVT. An AGCO Fendt Vario 933 was used as the braking tractor. The axle and tyre loads were subsequently determined.

The static weight distribution of the pulling tractor was 42 % on the front axle and 58 % on the rear axle.

Table 4 shows the initial data and the lead ratio values measured for the tested tyres at 0.6 bar. Apart from reference tyre A, the lead ratio of all tyres was between 0.5 % and 5 %. The MAXAM AGRIXTRA XL VF and reference tyres B, C and D lay in the optimum range from 1.5 % to 3.5 %. 

Tractive force/slip curve

The tractive force/slip behaviour at a tyre inflation pressure of 0.6 bar shows that the tested tyres transfer tractive forces of 35.0 kN to 54.5 kN with 20 % slip. 

The MAXAM AGRIXTRA XL VF achieves the maximum tractive force of 54.5 kN. Even higher tractive forces can be transferred at higher slip values. From an energetic and agricultural point of view, however, operation with a higher slip makes little sense.

Lower tractive forces can be transferred with both low and high slip at a tyre inflation pressure of 1.3 bar. At 20 % slip, the tested tyres can transfer tractive forces of 27.9 kN to 46.0 kN. The MAXAM AGRIXTRA XL VF achieves the highest tractive force of 46.0 kN.

Table 3: Axle and wheel loads

STEYR Absolut 6280 CVT
 

Axle load [kg]

Distribution  [%]

Wheel load [kg]

Front axle

4.400

42

2.200

Rear axle

6.000

58

3.000

Total weight

10.400

 

 

 

Table 4: Rolling circumference and lead ratio

Rolling circumference and lead ratio

 MAXAM AGRIXTRA XL VFReference tyres AReference tyres BReference tyres CReference tyres D
Front axle

VF 600/70 R 30

VF 600/70 R 30

VF 600/70 R 30

600/70 R 30

600/70 R 30

Rolling circumference [mm]

4.783

4.649

4.711

4.790

4.760

Rear axle

VF 710/70 R 42

VF 710/70 R 42

VF 710/70 R 42

710/70 R 42

710/70 R 42

Rolling circumference [mm]

6.106

6.100

6.182

6.162

6.195

Lead ratio at IP 0.6 bar [%]

1,67

0,05

3,47

2,93

1,52

Wheel contact surface and track depth at 0.6 bar

Reducing the tyre inflation pressure from 1.3 bar to 0.6 bar increases the wheel contact surface of the tested tyres by 7.5 % to 27.5 %. At a constant wheel load, this results in a reduction in the contact surface pressure in kg/cm². In this case, the MAXAM AGRIXTRA XL VF achieves a contact surface pressure of 0.61 kg/cm².

 

Figure 8: Tractive force/slip curve at a tyre inflation pressure of 0.6 bar
Figure 8: Tractive force/slip curve at a tyre inflation pressure of 0.6 bar
Figure 9: Tractive force/slip curve at a tyre inflation pressure of 1.3 bar
Figure 9: Tractive force/slip curve at a tyre inflation pressure of 1.3 bar
Figure 10: Wheel contact surface
Figure 10: Wheel contact surface
Figure 11: Track depth in cm
Figure 11: Track depth in cm

The low contact surface pressure also acts on the measured track depth, which is an average of 7.7 cm. With 7.3 cm, the MAXAM AGRIXTRA XL VF caused a track depth that was 5 % less than the reference tyres on average and 11 % less than the competitor in last place.

Ground pressure

At a tyre inflation pressure of 0.6 bar, the MAXAM AGRIXTRA XL VF had the highest pressure values measured at the Bolling probes down to a measurement depth of 20 cm. 

A close correlation between the pressure values measured at a depth of 10 cm and the set tyre inflation pressure was revealed on the whole. 

Above all, the ground pressure at a depth of 40 cm is influenced by the size of the contact area (at a constant wheel load). It was shown that the MAXAM AGRIXTRA XL VF lies precisely at the limit of 0.2 bar described in the literature.

Figure 12: Ground pressure at 0.6 bar at a soil depth of 10 cm, 20 cm and 40 cm
Figure 12: Ground pressure at 0.6 bar at a soil depth of 10 cm, 20 cm and 40 cm

Tractive power and area performance

The tractive power is calculated from the tractive force and the driving speed. In this test, a tractive force of 45 kN is set in order to simulate a 3 m wide soil tillage implement. Depending on the traction (slip), different driving speeds arise depending on the tyres.

In the field test, the average value of the transferable tractive power of all tested tyres was 108.7 kW. The value of 112.9 kW achieved by the MAXAM AGRIXTRA XL VF is higher than the average of all tested tyres.

The area performance (ha/h) is calculated from the width of the soil tillage implement and the driving speed achieved. 

The average across all tested tyres was 2.6 ha/h.  

Three of the tested tyre sets are higher and three lower than the average. Along with reference tyre C, the MAXAM AGRIXTRA XL VF achieved the highest work rate of 2.68 ha/h. 

The MAXAM AGRIXTRA XL VF is therefore 3 % better than the average and an impressive 9.3 % better than the poorest competitor in the test.

Fuel consumption in the field test

High work rates tend to lead to low fuel consumptions. In the test, the average consumption at a tyre inflation pressure of 0.6 bar and a braking force of 45 kN was 18 l/ha. At 17.29 l/ha, the consumption of the MAXAM AGRIXTRA XL VF was the lowest of all of the tested tyres. 

Figure 13: Tractive power [kW] and slip [%] at a tyre inflation pressure of 0.6 bar and 45 kN tractive force
Figure 13: Tractive power [kW] and slip [%] at a tyre inflation pressure of 0.6 bar and 45 kN tractive force
Figure 14: Work rate at a tyre inflation pressure of 0.6 bar and 45 kN braking force
Figure 14:Work rate at a tyre inflation pressure of 0.6 bar and 45 kN braking force
Figure 15: Consumption [l/ha] at IP 0.6 bar and 45 kN braking force
Figure 15: Consumption [l/ha] at IP 0.6 bar and 45 kN braking force

Fuel consumption during transportation runs on the chassis dynamometer

The differences in fuel consumption in the transportation runs lie in the 3 %-4 % range.

In the 40 kph transport test variant (DLG-PowerMix), the MAXAM AGRIXTRA XL VF reveals a specific fuel consumption of 397 g/kWh. In the 50 kph variant, the MAXAM AGRIXTRA XL VF reveals a specific fuel consumption of 399 g/kWh.

The same picture emerges with respect to the fuel consumption per tonne per 100 kilometres (l/t · 100 km). In the 40 kph variant, fuel consumption with the 
MAXAM AGRIXTRA XL VF is 4.4 l/t · 100 km. In the 50 kph variant, fuel consumption with the MAXAM AGRIXTRA XL VF is 4.44 l/t · 100 km.

Figure 16: Specific fuel consumption in g/kWh
Figure 16: Specific fuel consumption in g/kWh
Figure 17: Fuel consumption in l/t · 100 km
Figure 17: Fuel consumption in l/t · 100 km

Summary

This report describes the tractor tyre combination MAXAM AGRIXTRA XL VF 710/70 R 42 and MAXAM AGRIXTRA XL VF 600/70 R 30 with respect to the DLG test module ‘Resources Protection’. The tested tyres involved three VF tyres (Very High Flexion) and three standard tyres. Compared to standard tyres, the VF tyre technology offers improved resource protection. By significantly reducing the tyre inflation pressure, these tyre types enable the wheel contact area to be enlarged, therefore reducing the soil pressure. Compared to standard tyres, VF tyres can be operated with up to 40 % less pressure with the same load. This reduces soil compaction and fosters the sustainability of the soil. The transferable tractive forces are also increased as a result. 

This is assessed by measuring the following values: wheel contact area, ground pressure, track depth, fuel consumption in the field test and in transportation runs on the DLG chassis dynamometer, tractive force/slip curve as well as the tractive power and area performance.

The MAXAM AGRIXTRA XL VF ranks in the middle of the tested tyres in the wheel contact area and ground pressure measurements. In terms of the track depth, the MAXAM AGRIXTRA XL VF achieved the lowest value together with a reference tyre, leading to reduced destruction of the soil surface. In the ground pressure measurement at a depth of 40 cm, the MAXAM AGRIXTRA XL VF lay precisely at the limit described in the literature. 

The MAXAM AGRIXTRA XL VF performed best in the comparison group in terms of fuel consumption in the field test and in transportation runs on the DLG chassis dynamometer. The MAXAM AGRIXTRA XL VF also achieved the best work rate result together with a reference tyre.

In the 5 % to 15 % slip range that typically occurs in practice, the MAXAM AGRIXTRA XL VF transfers the highest tractive force at a tyre inflation pressure of both 0.6 bar and 1.3 bar.

Manufacturer and applicant

Manufacturer and applicant

MAXAM Tire Solutions Co, Ltd, 
Qingdao – 266000, 
China

Test execution

DLG TestService GmbH, Gross-Umstadt location, Germany, in cooperation with the Kiel University of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Dept. Agricultural Engineering

The tests are conducted on behalf of DLG e.V.

Department 
Vehicle technology

DLG test framework
DLG Test Framework for Agricultural Tyres (current as 07/2023)

Test Engineer
Prof. Dr. Yves Reckleben (FH Kiel)
Martin Hanstein (DLG)*

Photos and graphics
DLG, Kiel University of Applied Sciences, Department of Agriculture, Dept. Agricultural Engineering and BKT Europe SrL

*    Author

Contact us

DLG TestService GmbH - Groß-Umstadt location • Max-Eyth-Weg 1 • 64823 Groß-Umstadt • Tel: +49 69 24 788-600 • tech@DLG.org