Independent test shows Nokian Tyres Soil King VF cuts fuel use by nearly 10%

The comparison was conducted on a 16-kilometer route near Deula Westerstede using a Valtra Q305 tractor (305 HP) and a Krone TX 460D silage trailer The test focused on measuring fuel efficiency during transport operations.

All of the tires that were tested were VF-rated premium agricultural tires.

The test setup

The test was designed to reflect realistic transportation conditions while ensuring accurate and repeatable measurements:

• Route: A 16-km test track near Deula Westerstede.
• Conditions: Maximum speed of 40 km/h and various acceleration modes.
• Pressure: 1.6 bar for the main test, with an additional test at 1.0 bar.
• Measurements: Diesel consumption (solo and with trailer), noise levels and comfort.
• Repeatability: Each run was repeated twice and the fuel tank were refilled after each run to ensure accuracy.

Clear fuel efficiency advantage for Soil King VF

The test results clearly show that Nokian Tyres Soil King VF is more fuel-efficient for transport use.

With the silage trailer attached, Soil King VF consumed 61.9 liters of diesel per 100 kilometers, compared to an average of 68.6 liters for the other tires. This equates to a 9.8% savings in transport work.

The same pattern was seen in hourly consumption. Soil King VF used 14.2 l/h when driving solo compared to 15.9 l/h for the other tires. With the trailer, the respective figures were 19.8 l/h and 21.9 l/h.

Beyond fuel efficiency, the test shows:

• Noise: Soil King VF had the lowest cabin noise readings. 
• Comfort: It is slightly firmer over potholes due to its steel belt reinforcement. 
• Extra test: At 1.0 bar, Soil King VF used 5.3 liters more fuel per 100 kilometers, but the VF technology still demonstrated flexibility.

In solo driving, Soil King VF used 39.4 liters of diesel per 100 kilometers. The competing tires consumed between 43.1 and 44.1 liters, meaning Soil King VF saved about 10% in fuel consumption.

Choosing the right tire impacts costs and emissions

These findings are consistent with earlier independent results. In a 2022 field test conducted by the Deutsche Landwirtschafts-Gesellschaft (DLG), Soil King VF tires were found to consume 7.5% less fuel than competitor tires.

Overall, the results highlight the importance of choosing the right tire for everyday operations, as it helps to reduce operating costs and emissions.

*The test results were reported by Bauernblatt (Issue 44, November 1, 2025) under the headline: “Schlepperreifentest: Zehn Prozent weniger Dieselverbrauch möglich.”