Trelleborg Tires’ ProgressiveTraction® Technology: Over a Decade of Innovation Driving the Future of Agriculture
In the last decade, agriculture has faced growing challenges: unpredictable weather, increasing demands for productivity, and the urgent need to protect soil health. In this evolving landscape, technological advances in equipment and machinery have played a crucial role in helping farmers respond and remain resilient.
Among these innovations, tire technology has been key to advancing progress in modern fields. ProgressiveTraction® technology, developed by Trelleborg Tires, is a prime example: with more than ten years of proven performance, it reflects how targeted innovation can empower farmers to meet today’s challenges with greater confidence and protect the future of their land.
A Path of Reliability and Answers to Market Needs
Since its introduction, ProgressiveTraction® has distinguished itself for its ability to address the real needs of the agricultural sector. At the core of this technology is the innovative double-edge lug design, created to deliver superior traction and stability on the soil. This means that, even when conditions are challenging, the tire can offer the traction needed to keep work moving efficiently and minimizing soil compaction.
The story continues with the tread pattern, which features special interlug terraces designed to improve its self-cleaning capability. Comfort has not been overlooked either. The wider base of the lugs helps to reduce vibrations, making every journey smoother and helping to protect both the machine and the operator.
As Alessio Bucci, Marketing Training & Development Director highlights, “Each feature of ProgressiveTraction® has been carefully developed by our tire experts to give farmers real advantages in the field, every day. Whether the goal is to maximize performance or increase efficiency, this technology delivers a field-tested response to the performance expectations of modern agriculture”.
Tested at the Edge of the World
Antarctica is a place where only the most resilient technologies can succeed. In 2014, Trelleborg Tires’ expertise was put to the test during the “Antarctica2 Expedition” in 2014, when a Massey Ferguson 5610 tractor equipped with ProgressiveTraction® tires embarked on a 5,000-kilometer journey across snow and ice to the South Pole and back. In such an extreme environment, it was crucial that the tires delivered premium flotation, grip and traction as well as reduced fuel consumption and increased comfort - performance achieved also thanks to targeted adjustments and the in-depth technical know-how of the Trelleborg Tires team.
“Taking part in such a complex expedition allowed us to put our expertise into practice in the most challenging conditions. Whether it’s Antarctica or the everyday challenges of the field, our goal remains the same: to help farmers overcome even the toughest situations with confidence and the right technology at their side,” explains Bucci.
Expanding the Reach of ProgressiveTraction®
Over the years, ProgressiveTraction® has become a signature technology across Trelleborg’s range of premium tires. Among them the TM1000 ProgressiveTraction® for high-horsepower tractors, offering premium traction and flotation while helping to reduce soil compaction and fuel consumption. The TM3000, dedicated to harvester and combine machines, stands out for its ability to carry heavy loads at low inflation pressure and for its resistance to stubble damage. Meanwhile, some tire sizes of the TM600 range are also available with the ProgressiveTraction® technology, specifically developed for row-crop applications, ensuring reliable grip and greater efficiency in the field.
Recently, this technology has reached even further with the expansion of TM800 ProgressiveTraction® tire range with additional sizes, the new TM900 ProgressiveTraction®, that delivers up to 17% more grip and up 20% longer tire life than competitor tires, and the latest TM800 PowerFlex, which brings efficiency and versatility for both field and road work.
However, the story of ProgressiveTraction® is far from over. As Bucci underlines, “As agriculture continues to move forward, this technology stands ready to leave its mark on an ever-wider range of tires and applications.”
With each new chapter, ProgressiveTraction® continues to drive performance and efficiency, helping farmers go further, overcome new challenges, and cultivate success both today and in the seasons to come, as part of the continuous innovation behind Trelleborg Tires.