IF and VF tyres – what are they?

More information on the differences between IF and VF tyres.

IF and VF are categories of tyres that will help increase farming efficiency through reducing compaction and increasing fuel economy.

IF Tyres

IF tyres will carry the same load at 20% lower pressure than a standard tyre

or

IF tyres will carry 20% higher load at the same pressure as a standard tyre

IF, which stands for ‘Increased Flexion’, is a new category of radial tyre introduced when Michelin launched the Michelin Axiobib tyres in 2006.

Tyres classified as IF have increased flexibility in the sidewall than standard radial tyres.

An IF will carry loads that are 20% heavier than identical sized standard radial tyres (when running at the same inflation pressure).  Alternatively, the IF tyres can carry the same load as standard tyres, but at 20% less pressure.

VF Tyres

VF tyres will carry the same load at 40% lower pressure than a standard tyre

or

VF tyres will carry 40% higher load at the same pressure as a standard tyre

VF, which stands for ‘Very Increased Flexion’ or ‘Very High Flexion’, was introduced by Michelin in 2003 with the launch of the Michelin Xeobib range.

VF is similar to the IF range except that it offers increased tyre performance of 40% over standard tyres rather than 20%.

VF tyres will carry 40% more load, at identical pressure, than a standard radial tyre – or will carry the same load at 40% lower pressure.

By lowering the pressure required to carry the weight, a VF tyre footprint is enlarged and therefore increases traction and reduces fuel use.  It also reduces compaction resulting in better plant growth and higher crop yields.

In some circumstances VF tyre technology can mean that a ‘narrower’ tyre can give a bigger footprint than its wider equivilents.  Two examples of this are:

• The VF 710/60R38 tyres have a larger ground contact area than the standard 800/65R32.  Depsite the two tyres being a similar diameter and rolling circumference.  This means you could run a 710mm wide rear instead of an 800mm and still get a larger footprint on the ground.
• The VF 650/65R42 gives a larger ground contact area than the VF 710/60R38 (a common tyre for the Fendt rogator sprayers).  This is also due to the VF 650/65R42’s being a larger diameter tyre, however the benefits remain the same.  Larger footpint without increasing your overall width – plus, less ground is compacted due to the oval-shaped tyre footprint.  See more on this here.

For more detailed information on VF tyres visit:  VF Tyres 

New Tyre Advancements

Over the last few years IF and VF tyres have become much more popular.  Popular rowcrop sizes (such as the VF 380/85R38 BKT Spargo for the JCB 4220 Fastracs) and VF tyres in standard tyre sizes (such as Michelin Axiobib 2’s and Bridgestone VT-Tractor) have made low pressure tyres a more viable option for farmers.

Read the Complete Guide to VF Tyres.