The crucial role of tires in increasing productivity

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Date: 24.02.26
Did you know that choosing the right tires for your machinery brings benefits not only in terms of performance, but also for soil health and, consequently, for productivity?


Soil porosity


Soil is made up of a solid phase, a liquid phase, and a gaseous phase. The latter two occupy spaces known as “pores,” which are essential for soil fertility. These pores contain air—therefore oxygen—used by soil organisms and plant roots, as well as water, in which the nutrients needed for crop growth are dissolved. Pores also play two other important roles: they store water during rainfall and promote the drainage of excess water, preventing waterlogging and the potential onset of root rot.  An ideal soil has 50% of its volume made up of solids and the remaining 50% made up of pores.

The tire is the only point of contact between the tractor or operating machine and the ground. This is why it is essential to use a product capable of limiting soil compaction by distributing the machine’s weight over the widest possible surface area.


 

The effects of compaction


Soil compaction has negative effects precisely because it reduces porosity, increasing the risk of waterlogging, root asphyxiation, and root rot. In simple terms, soil fertility is significantly reduced. This is why particular attention must be paid to this phenomenon, using machinery that is as light as possible and avoiding repeated traffic over the same areas of soil.

 


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The role of tires is fundamental


Choosing the right type of tire can make a real difference, benefiting soil fertility and, as a result, productivity. In general, it is always recommended to lower tire inflation pressure when working in the field, to increase the ground contact area and reduce the pressure exerted on the soil.

 

Tire type plays an important role; that’s why choosing a tire that can work efficiently at low pressures is crucial. Among the various options  available on the market, VF (Very High Flexion) and VF PFO (Very High Flexion & Pressure Field Operation) tires are among the most interesting solutions, as they allow you to work with higher loads while using lower inflation pressures. This increases the tire footprint on the ground and reduces soil compaction.

Adjusting the inflation pressure according to the different work conditions is also very important. For more details on how inflation pressure should change in different operating scenarios, refer to our dedicated article.


Mitas developed GRANTERRA, a new range of high-performance tires that are also respectful of the soil, a benchmark solution for high-horsepower tractors.


Thanks to VF PFO technology, inflation pressure can be reduced at low speeds (5–15 km/h) and in high-torque applications. This increases tractor traction, improving performance, while reducing soil compaction, and supporting soil fertility.

 
Discover all the features of the new Mitas GRANTERRA here.

 


Less compaction, greater productivity


Soil is the most valuable resource for any farmer and preserving it in the best possible way is essential. When purchasing tires, always remember that choosing the right product not only improves machine performance, but also helps reduce soil compaction, to the benefit of soil fertility and your productivity.