New Ag Tire Technology Launched by Bridgestone

Bridgestone Americas has introduced a “new class” of agricultural tires, developed to meet the requirements of “today’s larger, heavier machinery.”

The new Firestone brand farm tire line features the company’s Advanced Deflection Design (AD2) technology, which it said allows greater sidewall flexibility.

The tires, Bridgestone said, meet the North American Tire and Rim Association’s increased flexion (IF) standard, and when compared with standard Firestone radials, AD2 technology tires “can carry heavier loads at the same pressure, or the same load at lower pressures.”

That’s important for farmers as they continue to operate larger, higher horsepower equipment, according to Tom Rodgers, director of marketing for Bridgestone Americas Agricultural Group, which produces Firestone farm tires.

“Tractors continue to increase in size and power,” Tom Rodgers, director of marketing for Bridgestone’s ag tire group. “These large, higher-horsepower machines require more ballast to put that increased power to the ground, so tire performance needs to grow with the equipment.”

Because of their unique construction, Bridgestone said, AD2 technology tires “can carry a load up to 20% greater than standard radials of the same size.”

“That means the operator can carry heavier loads or add ballast to a tractor without having to raise air pressure in the tires,” Rodgers said. “Alternatively, they can carry the same weight at lower inflation pressures to reduce soil compaction.”

The new Firestone farm tires will be available during the first quarter of 2010 through Certified Firestone Farm Tire Dealers and as options from major tractor manufacturers. The tires will come in five sizes, two for front-axle applications on MFWD tractors and three drive tires for MFWD and both axles on 4WD machines.

Ascot Supply Corporation, based in Newnan, Georgia, has selected Mark Paquette for the newly created position of vice president. In this position, Ascot Supply said Paquette will oversee the growth of the company's products, corporate profitability, manage marketing and advertising and assume many other responsibilities.

He will work under the direction of current President David Kessler and officially begin his new role on June 3. Paquette joined the tire and automotive industry in the early 1980s at his father's tire shop, and his contributions to Mohawk Rubber Sales were instrumental in the company's growth and eventual sale to Myers Tire Supply in 2021, according to Ascot Supply. Paquette eventually was given a promotion to the role of director of operations at Myers Tire Supply.