Specifics of certification of agricultural tires with maximum consideration of their operating conditions

Abstract

The problems of product quality and competitiveness are typical in the modern world. The inter-national market constantly demands the improvement of the performance properties of automobiles, tractors, agricultural machinery and other types of mobile vehicles. At the same time, they can not be increased without significant improving of the tire performance characteristics. Pneumatic tires are among the critical units of mobile vehicles that have a significant impact on the following per-formance properties; therefore, as a complex product, they were included in the list of approval in accordance with Regulation No 106 for agricultural vehicles and their trailers. The purpose of the research was to develop recommendations for improving the methodology of conducting certifica-tion tests of agricultural tires aimed at improving product quality. The article discusses the methods of certification and approval of tires for agricultural vehicles and their trailers. The drawbacks of the method of certification of agricultural tires using the method of automobile ones are analyzed. It is proposed to supplement the certification with test methods developed in the Russian Federation that are as close as possible to the operating conditions of agricultural vehicles and tires of traction machines. The experience of work of “Bridgestone” and “Michelin” companies in the Russian Federation is presented. The absence of a national tire certification system in Russia influence in many cases vehicle breakdowns, which lead to downtime, as well as to the occurrence of accidents. In case of serious accidents in transport, when there is insufficient clarity of the causes of the accident or it is clear that the accident is related to tire failure, the victims initiate legal proceedings against the manufacturers, involving the payment of monetary compensation. At the same time, mass production defects are usually hidden behind the losses of consumers. To improve the quality of agricultural tires, it is proposed to revise UN/ECE Regulation No 106 as close as possible to operating conditions, as well as to create an independent accredited tire center.