At Agrigear, we have spent over 40 years mastering the art of customised wheel manufacturing. Recently, our wheel manufacturing facility tackled an exciting modification project: outfitting the massive Vervaet Quad 550 with custom dual wheels for precision maize top-dressing.

Vervaet Quad 550  before the dual wheel setup

The Challenge: Manoeuvring a Giant
The Vervaet Quad 550 is an absolute powerhouse of a self-propelled slurry applicator. Driven by a 550-horsepower Volvo engine and carrying a 21-cubic-meter tank, it is built for maximum productivity.
However, standard wide flotation tyres present a significant hurdle when it comes to top-dressing maize. Top-dressing requires applying organic fertiliser to crops that are already actively growing. To do this successfully, the heavy Quad 550 needs to travel perfectly between the established rows without crushing the plants or compacting the root zones. The machine required a specialised, narrow row-crop footprint that could still safely bear an immense operational weight.

 

The Solution: Custom 19-Stud Twin Wheels
To solve this, our engineering team manufactured a completely bespoke 19-stud twin wheel setup. This custom dual-rim configuration replaces the standard wide tyres with two narrow rims on each side, perfectly spaced to match the maize's specific row width. By utilizing this heavy-duty twin wheel layout, we ensured that the vehicle's immense weight is safely distributed over a wider surface area without widening the physical track over the plants themselves.

 

After installing the new dual wheel setup

The Perfect Fit: BKT Agrimax RT-855

A custom rim is only as good as the rubber wrapped around it. As the appointed distributor of BKT tyres throughout Ireland, we knew exactly which tyre to select for this highly demanding application. We fitted the newly fabricated dual rims with the BKT Agrimax RT-855 in size 420/80R46.

Here is why this tyre is the ultimate choice for this modification:

• Unmatched Load Bearing: This entire custom dual wheel setup has been specifically engineered and supplied to safely carry an incredible 50 Metric Tonnes (50TN) at an operating speed of 10 km/hr.
• Row-Crop Precision: The 420/80R46 profile is highly suited for row-crop applications, ensuring the heavy machinery glides safely between the growing maize.
• Exceptional Traction & Self-Cleaning: The Agrimax RT-855 features an open-centre tread pattern that provides excellent traction in the field. It also offers outstanding self-cleaning properties, meaning it sheds dirt quickly when moving from the field back to road transport.
• Driver Comfort: Even under massive structural payloads, these radial tyres are designed to maintain excellent handling and driver comfort during long transfer operations.

 

Dual wheel setup view from the bottom, back, and front

Trust the Specialists
This Vervaet Quad 550 modification is just one example of how our first-class wheel rim manufacturing and modification facilities can bring a complex concept to life. From custom wheel manufacturing and modifications to complete wheel and tyre packages, our in-house expertise allows us to develop solutions that meet the specific requirements of farmers, contractors, and machinery manufacturers.
Whether it's a slurry tanker, self-propelled applicator, tractor, telehandler, or another specialist machine, Agrigear can provide wheel and tyre solutions tailored to the application.

For more information on our custom wheel manufacturing services, the BKT agricultural tyre range, or to discuss the right wheel and tyre solution for your machinery, contact the Agrigear team on 042 9666 444 or visit www.agrigear.ie.