Firestone brand agricultural tires has unveiled a new class of farm tires for today’s larger, heavier machinery.

The new line of Firestone farm tires features “Advanced Deflection Design” (AD²) technology, which allows greater sidewall flexibility. The tires meet the North American Tire and Rim Association’s Increased Flexion (IF) standard.

Compared with standard Firestone radials, tires with AD² technology 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. These large, higher-horsepower machines require more ballast to put that increased power to the ground,” Rodgers says. “Tire performance needs to grow with the equipment, and the Firestone brand is introducing this new tire technology to meet that need.”

The tires with AD² technology are built at the Firestone brand farm tire headquarters and production plant in Des Moines, Iowa. “These tires are the first American-made tractor tires to achieve the IF designation,” Rodgers notes.

Compared with standard Firestone radials, tires built with the AD² technology will offer several advantages to farmers. Because of their unique construction, tires with AD² technology can carry a load up to 20 percent 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 explains. “Alternatively, they can carry the same weight at lower inflation pressures to reduce soil compaction.”

Tires with the AD² technology have a footprint that also is larger than that of a same-size standard radial. The larger footprint improves traction to help reduce both field time and fuel consumption, while also reducing soil compaction.

“Our AD² technology makes these improvements possible without compromising endurance or service life,” Rodgers noted. “And, the tire’s greater sidewall flexibility also improves operator comfort.”

The first Firestone farm tires with AD² technology will be available during the first quarter of 2010 through Certified Firestone Farm Tire Dealers and as options from major tractor manufacturers.

For more information, send an e-mail to RodgersTom@firestoneag.com.