The Rogator Sprayer
While Fendt offer a lot of wheel sizes from factory, there are many more options that will improve the performance of the machine.
When you add up the cost of the machine, plus the cost of the liquid fert or applicant you’re using, sprayer costs make up a large percentage of farm expenditure. You can justify spending a small proportion of that cost on getting a set of wheels that gets the full value out of the machine.
Narrow wheels to reduce crop damage, wide wheels to reduce compaction, intermediate wheels to save swapping wheels or flotation wheels in narrower widths utilising VF low pressure technology – read on or contact us to discuss the options!
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Below is a table of the tyre sizes available to fit on a Fendt or Challenger Rogator. Some of these sizes won’t work on the older versions of Challenger – but feel free to speak to BWT for more information.
| Tyre width (mm) | Tyre sizes |
| 380 | VF 380/90R46 VF 380/105R50 VF 380/90R54 |
| 420 | 420/80R46 VF 420/95R50 |
| 480 | 480/80R50 VF 480/80R50 |
| 520 | 520/85R38 VF 520/85R42 VF 520/85R46 |
| 580 | 580/70R38 580/70R42 |
| 620 | 620/70R42 VF 620/70R42 |
| 650 | VF 650/65R42 VF 650/75R38 |
| 710 | VF 710/60R38 |
Flotation wheels
Traditionally the most common flotation wheel to be fitted onto the Rogator sprayers was the VF 710/60R38. Made by Michelin Xeobib, Trelleborg TM1060 and BKT V-Flector these are still a common option, however the VF 650/65R42 & VF 650/75R38 are becoming more frequent choices.
Why are we recommending the 650mm wide tyre over a 710mm wide tyre?
In essence – we recommend the VF 650/65R42 or VF 650/75R38 as they have a larger footprint size than the VF 710/60R38.
How is a 650mm wide tyre bigger than a 710mm? Bear with us, we’ll explain…
The VF 710/60R38 stands at 1820mm diameter, the VF 650/65R42 stands at 1913mm diameter – so the Bridgestone is a larger diameter tyre. This gives the VF 650/65R42 a longer, narrower footprint than the VF 710/60R38 squat and round footprint. See diagram below:
The oval shaped (longer but thinner) footprint also means that more of the tyre runs in your existing tramlines (reducing damage to the crop/seed bed). As shown in the diagram below:
So, in summary, the VF 650/65R42 or VF 650/75R38 gives a larger footprint than the VF 710/60R38. While the narrower oval shaped footprint means less compaction.
Below is another diagram comparing the footprint sizes of the Bridgestone VF 650/65R42, Michelin VF 710/60R38 & Trelleborg VF 710/60R38.
Light Brown: Standard tramline width
Light Green: Marks the width of Bridgestone VF 650/65R42 tyre
Darker Brown: Marks the length of the Bridgestone VF 650/65R42 footprint
Popular models of flotation and standard tyre used on the Rogator sprayers
Bridgestone VT-Tractor
The Bridgestone VT-Tractor is a VF tyre, so can run at 40% lower pressure than a standard tyre in the same size. The Bridgestone VT-Tractor is a very popular model of tyre for low ground pressure flotation tyres.
The lower pressure will give a bigger footprint and reduce compaction and rutting.
The VF 650/65R42 gives a larger footprint than the VF 710/60R38
Bridgestone VX-Tractor
This is a popular model for contractors do a lot of road miles.
While it sounds similar to the VT-Tractor, it’s a completely different tyre. The VX-Tractor is designed specifically for long-life. It has a thicker lug and more rubber and Bridgestone’s studies suggest it will last 2-3 times longer than a standard tyre.
Bridgestone estimate 8000hrs from a tyre is achievable.
Michelin Axiobib 2
The Michelin Axiobib 2 is a VF tyre, so can run at 40% lower pressure than a standard tyre in the same size.
We use the VF 650/65R42 Michelin Axiobib 2 as a flotation tyre for the Rogator sprayers.
The VF 650/65R42 gives a larger footprint than the VF 710/60R38
Michelin Xeobib
The Michelin Xeobib VF 710/60R38 used to be the most popular size to fit to the Rogator, however they can only carry 18 ton capacity across the four tyres so will be overloaded on current Rogator sprayers.
Interestingly – the VF 650/65R42 will give a larger footprint on the ground than a VF 710/60R38 (due to the increased diameter).
Trelleborg TM1060
The Trelleborg TM1060 VF 710/60R38 is used as a flotation wheel for the Rogator sprayer. Its similar to the Michelin Xeobib in the same size, except it has a higher load rating. Suitable to carry 24.6 ton across the four tyres.
Again similar to the Michelin VF 710/60R38 – the VF 650/65R42 will give a larger footprint on the ground than a VF 710/60R38 (due to the increased diameter).
BKT V-Flecto
BKT offers a VF low-pressure tyre at a budget tyre price in two of the common Rogator sizes: VF 650/65R42 & VF 710/60R38.
They are a decent low-pressure tyre, with all the benefits of VF technology, but at a lower price point.
Rowcrop wheels:
BKT Spargo
The BKT Spargo is BKT’s VF range of rowcrop width tyres. Tyres like the BKT Spargo VF 420/95R50 pr VF 380/105R50 can be used on the Rogator. They are a high load rating to take the weight of the sprayer.
Michelin Spraybib
The Michelin Spraybib is Michelin’s VF range of rowcrop width tyres. Tyres like the Michelin Spraybib 420/95R50 or VF 380/90R54 are designed for use of sprayers and have a high load and speed rating to match.
Mitas HC1000 & HC2000
Mitas HC1000 & HC2000 are the VF rowcrop and standard wheel models for the Mitas range. We fit VF 520/85R42 Mitas HC2000, VF 480/80R50 Mitas HC1000 and VF 380/105R50 Mitas HC1000.
Trelleborg TM150
The Trelleborg TM150 is available in VF 480/80R50 and VF 520/85R46 for the Rogator sprayers.
Other models of tyre:
We sometimes use the standard models of tyres too, for example the BKT 620/70R42 RT765, Mitas 580/85R42 Mitas SFT, Trelleborg 620/70R42 TM700