BRIDGESTONE’S VX-TRACTOR IN BIGGEST NEW HOLLAND BREAKTHROUGH
21 February 20244 min read
• An ‘incredible’ wear rate, great field performance and traction were all highlighted • Customers commending VX-TRACTOR for outstanding longevity John Morton and Jonathan Bell 1VX Lloyds John Morton and Jonathan Bell
Bridgestone’s agricultural team has made one of its biggest breakthroughs, securing fitment of its VX-TRACTOR tyre to over 50 New Holland tractors across seven Lloyd LTD agricultural branches in the north of England and Scotland, due to popular demand.
Bridgestone’s critically acclaimed premium tyre – already chosen as Original Equipment option by the manufacturer – is now fitted to New Holland tractors at Lloyd Ltd Branches across Cumbria, Bishop Auckland, Newcastle, Dumfries and Kelso Branches. The VX-TRACTOR tyre – already approved for selected NH T6 and T7 Series tractors within the UK and Ireland – is now being seen on even more tractors, following positive feedback from farmers and contractors, leading to subsequent requests for the product.
An ‘incredible’ wear rate, great field performance and traction were all reasons given by Lloyd Ltd for the switch to Bridgestone, which has been a mutual development in the making.
Bridgestone’s Agricultural Sales Manager John Morton said: “This is a big feather in our cap. New Holland are a leading Agricultural Solutions Manufacturer in the world, so to develop this relationship in such a way is a big achievement.
“To see so many tractors on our brand is extremely rewarding. The VX-TRACTOR has been performing so well and we thank Lloyd Ltd for allowing us to fit the tyre to their fleet of T6 and T7 hire tractors. We have been able to fit the VX to over 50 tractors across the north of England and Scotland with Lloyd Ltd, and the exciting thing is that this figure will continue to grow.”
Jonathan Bell, Lloyd Ltd Dealer Principal at Carlisle, said: “Our relationship has developed rapidly with Bridgestone. We couldn’t believe the tyre wear rates we were seeing. Our customers are carrying out hundreds of hours of work and when we get the hire tractors back into our yard, the tyre wear is virtually zero. Obviously, this is great news for our customers and great news for us as a Business.
“The VX-TRACTOR offers incredible value for money, so it was an easy decision for us to make. Some of our customers are completing 8,000 to 9,000 hrs on this Bridgestone tyre before the need to even think about a replacement.
Jonathan added: “Tyre choice has never been more important. Customers are engaged, and aware of what is fitted like never before. They want good life, a cost effective product to run and a good overall performer in the field and on the road. Bridgestone has got that absolutely spot on”.
The VX-TRACTOR is built to work both on the Road and in the Field, even under heavy payloads. It is constructed from robust casings with extra-deep and extra-long lugs, ensuring outstanding traction and extremely long wear life. An increased six-layer tread belt protects against potholes and road debris. The tyre comes with a full 10-year warranty, telling Bridgestone’s confidence in the product.
Confirming this very point is Lloyd Ltd customer Millers Contracting of Cumbria who’s one happy customer, with the VX-TRACTOR meeting the needs of his road work.
Andrew Rowland – from Miller Contracting commented “We do a lot of road work and it has lasted ever so well, but more than this, it performs well in the field and provides comfort and control at all times. Saving on costs is always a priority for a business like ours and the VX makes a big difference in this regard.”
The tyre is also a smart sustainable choice, with its compound mix containing vegetable oils, replacing some of the petroleum-based oils in the production process. This gives greater resistance to wear, and to cutting and chunking to the tread area. An added bonus is fewer replacements are required over the life of the tractor, thus gaining cost saving as well as benefiting the environment. With this in mind, the VX TRACTOR embodies the company’s efforts to support the realisation of a sustainable society by providing social and customer value.
The Bridgestone E8 Commitment is at the heart of this and consists of eight focus areas – Energy, Ecology, Efficiency, Extension, Economy, Emotion, Ease and Empowerment – that guide Bridgestone’s strategic priorities, decision-making and actions throughout every area of the business.
