The Firestone 23° Tread Test
From the finish line to your bottom line.
A few years back, Michelin has challenged Firestone with claims that the traction of their tires is as good, or better, than the Firestone tire with the 23° tread. In order to settle the debate over who had the best-performing tractor tire, we put our Firestone Radial All Traction 23° R-1 up against the Michelin® Agribib® R-1W.
Starting side-by-side, with the same equipment and the same conditions, the finish wasn't
even close.
On a harvested corn field near Slater, Iowa and in front of 50 observers, we set up a demonstration with two drive tractors – one fitted with Firestone brand tires, and the other with Michelin. The tractors ran the same field at the same time, pulling the same load.
After the first quarter-mile run, the tractor fitted with the Firestone Radial All Traction 23° R-1 tires finished 37 ft 4 in – more than 12 full yards – ahead of the tractor fitted with the Michelin Agribib R-1Ws. In the second run, following the exchange of tires between tractors, the tractor fitted with the Firestone tires once again finished ahead – 36 ft 8 in – of the tractor fitted with the Michelin tires. When the results were in, it was clear that the Firestone 23° R-1 out-performed the 45° R-1W.
This demonstration was just one quarter mile. With these results in mind, how many acres could you cover, and how much fuel could you save after a full workday in the field? Imagine what that means after a season – or over the lifetime of the tires.
Learn more about the 23° difference by visiting your Firestone Certified Farm Tire Dealer.
About Bridgestone Americas, Inc.:
Nashville, Tennessee-based Bridgestone Americas, Inc. (BSAM) is the U.S. subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, the world’s largest tire and rubber company. BSAM and its subsidiaries develop, manufacture and market a wide range of Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand tires to address the needs of a broad range of customers, including consumers, automotive and commercial vehicle original equipment manufacturers, and those in the agricultural, forestry and mining industries. The companies are also engaged in retreading operations throughout the Western Hemisphere, and produce air springs, roofing materials, and industrial fibers and textiles. The BSAM family of companies also operates the world’s largest chain of automotive tire and service centers. Guided by its One Team, One Planet message, the company is dedicated to achieving a positive environmental impact in all of the communities it calls home.