BKT has released independent winter test results for its Ridemax Frost tractor tyre from UTAC’s proving grounds in northern Finland, indicating shorter braking distances on compacted snow and stronger traction on ice when compared against premium and second-tier competitors. The findings aim to give municipalities, contractors and farm fleets clearer evidence of tyre performance during snow-clearing and winter road work.
UTAC repeated tests ten times on a premium tractor platform, covering braking, acceleration and handling. On compacted snow, non-ABS braking from 25 km/h to 5 km/h was up to 4% better than the premium benchmark and 9% better than the second-tier tyre. On ice, acceleration — a direct proxy for traction and wheel-slip control — was 4% better than premium and 33% better than second-tier in non-studded form; the studded comparison widened the gap to +7% and +13% respectively. According to UTAC, its Ivalo and Mellatracks facilities provide year-round snow and ice surfaces for repeatable tyre testing. utac.com
For winter fleets, acceleration and braking metrics translate into smoother starts, fewer traction losses and tighter vehicle control around junctions, plough passes and load-and-haul manoeuvres. In practice, improved grip can reduce chain use, cut downtime and support safer operations for municipal contractors and agricultural transport during severe weather periods.
BKT attributes the gains to a cold-resistant compound that stays flexible at sub-zero temperatures, together with a deep directional tread featuring micro-sipes to raise contact edges on snow and ice. Reinforced radial construction and even ground-pressure distribution are designed to stabilise steering inputs and wear, which can help extend service life across mixed road-and-yard duty cycles. Product literature describes the pattern as engineered for transport and municipal maintenance on snow and ice.
The UTAC proving ground near Ivalo (located roughly 300 km north of the Arctic Circle) combines outdoor circuits with multiple indoor tracks to keep natural-snow and ice testing consistent across the season. Several tyre makers now rely on the site to validate winter performance.
“The results obtained in the UTAC tests position BKT and Ridemax Frost among the premium benchmarks on the market,” said Piero Torassa, Field Engineering Director, BKT Europe. “But what makes us most proud is that these results are not just numbers: they translate into concrete benefits for those who work every day on difficult terrain, more safety, more efficiency, and stable driving even in the most extreme conditions.”
The Ridemax Frost update follows a period of portfolio and capability expansion at the manufacturer. Recent Tyre News coverage includes BKT’s push to 2030 with new product lines and European operations, and its focus on low-noise agricultural tyres for cab comfort, both relevant to contractors balancing winter safety with operator wellbeing.
Tagged with: BKT Ridemax Frost, winter tractor tyres, UTAC Finland, snow braking tests, ice traction, municipal maintenance, agricultural transport, cold-resistant compound, micro-sipes, off-highway tyres
Disclaimer: This content may include forward-looking statements. Views expressed are not verified or endorsed by Tyre News Media.
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