Author: Daniele Provana

Today, tires are a key factor in the efficiency of agricultural machinery, but only if properly monitored and managed can they guarantee maximum economic returns for the company. When used in the ideal conditions for each specific application, agricultural tires ensure significant fuel savings, reduced tread wear, and a drastic reduction in downtime. In short: greater productivity and healthier financial management.

But how can you monitor tire pressure and, above all, adjust pressure in real time? Agostino Provana, owner of Provana Group in Izano (CR), provides the answer with the “PC Fleet” system. The acronym PC stands for ProficiencyCheck, or “efficiency control.” In the dictionary, proficiency expresses competence, skill, and the full ability to navigate a specific field. And this is precisely the goal of Provana’s solution: to offer constant monitoring of pressure, temperature, and fuel consumption for tractors and trailers.

PC Fleet integrates professional hardware and intuitive software for comprehensive tire monitoring. The system is based on a small, antenna-free sensor, protected by a special rubber casing, installed directly in the inner rim channel. This positioning is not only quick and non-invasive, but also essential for protecting the sensor from impacts and external agents, ensuring the reliability of the data collected.

Using Bluetooth technology, PC Fleet connects to the vehicle’s CAN bus, communicating directly with the control unit. Thanks to GPS geolocation, the system detects fuel consumption in real time, allowing the operator or fleet manager to monitor TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) while optimizing performance, safety, and operating costs.

“The ProficiencyCheck Fleet solution is already operational on ten tractors owned by contractors and agricultural businesses in Northern Italy,” explains Alberto Viganò, consultant at Provana Group Innovation. “The development plan is already mapped out: we expect installation on another 20 tractor-trailer systems by next June.”

“The dashboard with all the information is accessible in real time, both online and on smartphones,” adds Agostino Provana. “The system sends immediate automatic alerts in the event of anomalies. In addition to alerts and instant graphical analyses, the software stores a complete data history, essential for personalized reporting and implementation of predictive analysis strategies. It is a 360° technological solution that brings digitalization to the daily management of agricultural vehicles.”

The key benefits of PC Fleet:

Energy efficiency: reduced fuel consumption.

Longevity: longer tire life thanks to reduced irregular wear.

Productivity: predictive maintenance to minimize downtime.

Safety: real-time alerts for critical temperature or pressure issues.

24/7 monitoring: complete remote control of the fleet.

Data Analysis: reports ready for verification and optimization.

“In agriculture today, sustainability necessarily involves sensors and geolocalization,” continues Viganò. Sensors enable us to monitor vital parameters, including microclimate, soil moisture, and wind speed, allowing for targeted interventions such as automatic irrigation or specific treatments. While today’s tractors are experimenting with automatic guidance, it is equally crucial to use tire pressure and temperature sensors. Only in this way we can fully exploit technologies such as VF (Very High Flexion) and PFO (Pressure Field Operation), reducing soil compaction and optimizing fuel consumption.

Provana Group Innovation has established itself as a leading agricultural consulting company, with a vertical focus on tire optimization. Thanks to a unique mix of technological expertise, strategic marketing, and Research & Development, the group provides high-value services that support the growth of the entire sector: from field performance assessments to specialized training, from technical testing to event organization and technological transformation.

PC Fleet’s cross-functional nature allows Provana to engage with an extremely broad range of stakeholders. While the natural customers are fleets, large agricultural companies, and contractors, the solution also directly targets tire, agricultural machinery, and wheel manufacturers.

“PC Fleet is an extremely versatile solution, designed to generate value for all players in the supply chain,” concludes Agostino Provana, outlining the technology’s future developments. “While the system is already operational in some of Italy’s leading fleets, our focus is now on tractor and wheel manufacturers. For them, PC Fleet represents an opportunity to integrate advanced monitoring systems directly into original equipment or into large-scale applications, bringing native digital innovation to the vehicle.”

Nokian Tyres’ strategy is anything but a gamble. With the evolution of the Intuitu system, the Finnish manufacturer has made a decisive step forward in the agricultural segment, offering added value that goes far beyond the product itself: real-time load measurement. Thanks to a smart sensor and a dedicated app, Nokian tires no longer simply monitor pressure and temperature—now standard data—but also provide crucial information on the actual weight of the vehicle per tire.

“With a small sensor weighing just 20 grams, we can measure the load of a 12-ton agricultural vehicle with a deviation of just 3%,” explained Pierre Choubert, Business Manager East Europe for Nokian’s Heavy Tyres division, during the presentation event held in Izano (CR), at the Provana Test Center. Intuitu’s development began about seven years ago in the passenger car segment, but the team immediately recognized its potential in the Agro and OTR segments. “Our tires are premium,” Choubert continues, “and this solution allows them to be used as efficiently as possible.”

In an era where tractors are experimenting with autonomous driving, tire sensors are becoming crucial to exploit technologies such as VF (Very High Flexion) and PFO (Pressure Field Operation). The goal is twofold: to reduce soil compaction and optimize fuel consumption.

The new Nokian Tyres Intuitu 2.0 Smart Pressure Assistant, developed exclusively for the Soil King VF line, calculates the tractor’s actual operating weight and suggests the ideal pressure directly to the operator or fleet manager’s smartphone. A process that would normally require complex calculations and costly weighing is now immediate and digital.

For Stefano Perboni, Sales Manager Italy for Nokian Heavy Tyres, tire pressure management is the number one request from farmers. “In the field, the operator must reduce pressure to the minimum to increase the footprint and respect the terrain; on the road, he needs the opposite to reduce rolling resistance. But what is the exact limit to avoid wasting money?” The answer comes from the Intuitu app (soon available in Italian), which allows you to know, in any situation, the ideal pressure to maximize tire life and reduce maintenance and fuel costs.

The sales approach in Italy has changed radically over the last 18 months. Nokian is targeting the premium end user directly: large agricultural companies, biogas plants, and high-end contractors.

“We are looking for professional partners, willing to explain the technical side of the product and service,” emphasizes Perboni. The results prove this strategy right: last year, sales in Italy grew by 40%. Although the range is still expanding (the current focus is on high-powered models), the goal is to consolidate the team and market presence.

Francesco Pedrazzi, from the 47-year-old Verona-based workshop of the same name, was also present at the event. For Pedrazzi, the key to success in the agricultural sector is the after-sales service and, above all, the ability to listen to the customer. “Agricultural customers need to be listened to in order to understand their real operational needs,” explains Pedrazzi. “The new app goes precisely in this direction: it offers new opportunities in terms of effective tractor fleet management. As for Nokian tires, our customers have been appreciating their puncture resistance and incredible durability for years.”

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(translation of the article on the following website: Pneusnews.it – Link)

On the Pneusnews.it website, it is possible to view the digital magazine “Best of Agro” (January 2026 edition). In this magazine, you can discover different articles about our business. The website can be reached at this link (Italian version only)

Online il Best of Agro!

It is also possible to read the articles on our website at the following links:

• Agricultural tyres: switching from words to numbers – Interview of Agostino Provana
• Alliance Field Day in Izano: fuel savings and tailored tire solutions for modern agriculture
• Ascenso: up to 25.000 litres of fuel saved for each tyre using the VF technology

Have a pleasant reading!

October 2025 was a busy month for Ascenso in Italy, with participation in trade fairs, invitations to distributors in India, and two days of testing and training at Provana Group in Izano, in the province of Cremona, attended by the Carlini Gomme sales force.

“During the Test Day in Izano, organized by Francesco Volpi, Ascenso Country Manager for Italy and Iberia, we had the opportunity to learn about the various activities Ascenso has undertaken to support the completion of its premium Agro range,” said Agostino Provana.

The event took place over two days, one dedicated to training and the other to field testing.

The first day of classroom training involved Carlini Gomme’s team of six salespeople dedicated to the agro-industrial sector: Gabriele Saccani and Andrea Schiavi, heads of the Agro-industrial sector; Alessandro Legnaro for the Northwest area; Daniele Morandini for the Northeast; Gino Loi for the islands of Sardinia and Sicily; and Giuseppe Scarlato for the South. The training focused on radial OTR tires, which Ascenso has launched into production with a new “All Steel” tire carcass technology, made entirely of steel cords.

As Provana Group Innovation is conducting tests on VF Ascenso tires in conjunction with Carlini Gomme, the second day was spent in the field, involving some of the most important dealers to share the results of field and road tests. Three John Deere tractors were fitted: two with Ascenso VF710/70R42 and VF600/70R30 VDR2000 tires, and one with standard 800/70R38 and 600/70R30 XLR880 tires.

The three John Deere tractors drove around the test track and in the adjacent field, while inside, participants listened to a presentation about Ascenso, which now offers 1,064 part numbers, with different sizes and tread profiles, developed and produced in just five years since its founding. The training focused on the market’s increasing focus on VF technology tires and how to improve the productivity of contractors and farmers through the use of products suited to each type of application.

Once the tests were completed, Provana was able to show some live results in the meeting room, thanks to sensors and a digital CANbus connection, which allow for real-time analysis of fuel consumption by application, pressure, and temperature.

The obtained data was truly remarkable: in the field, Provana recorded a difference of up to 8 liters per hour in fuel consumption between a standard tire and one with VF technology, equivalent to a saving of up to 25,000 liters of fuel over the average life of a tire for a medium-large contractor. “An impact on operating costs of this magnitude must obviously be considered, as well as the improved performance in terms of traction, load, and lower operating pressure, which reduces soil compaction,” Provana explained.

Regarding other initiatives organized by Ascenso last month, European distributors were invited to India for a five-day tour, which included a factory visit and a meeting with management and the company’s owner and founder, Yogesh Mahansaria.

Ascenso also participated, with its distributors, in two major Italian trade fairs. The distributors were present at Agrilevante in Bari, the most important trade fair in Southern Italy: Carlini Gomme with a stand entirely dedicated to the Ascenso brand, and Intergomma with a display of key tire sizes for the Original Equipment sector. Then came the debut at GIS in Piacenza, a trade fair dedicated to the lifting and material handling sector, where Intergomma, already a market leader in the OEM2 sector and now Ascenso’s distributor for the port segment with the full range of solid tires, participated.

(translation of the article on the following website: Pneusnews.it – Link)

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Agostino Provana has been a leading name in the agricultural sector for over 40 years, offering comprehensive solutions for fleets and contractors, as well as technical consulting to help tractor and tire manufacturers optimize the performance of their products.

The Provana Group testing center, located in Izano (CR), has evolved over time with the construction of a track and a training center, but above all with the introduction of advanced digital testing technologies. The main current goal is to move from subjective to objective testing, thanks to the possibility to obtain measurable data.

We met Agostino Provana at the Field Day organized by Yokohama-ATG in early October, designed to demonstrate to customers and the press the impact of tire pressure and the Alliance’s advanced technologies on efficiency, fuel consumption, and sustainable agricultural practices.

What tools give the possibility to move from subjective to objective testing?

Our extensive experience in testing and market tests with fleets and contractors has taught us how crucial digital technology is to providing objective and effective results, both from a technical and commercial perspective.

Encoder connections and the introduction of a flow meter have facilitated the organization of a database that collects real-world data on traction, comfort, handling, average life, and actual fuel consumption, broken down by brand and terrain type (road or field).

Over the course of the year, we took a further step forward by introducing sensors connected to the vehicle’s CAN bus, allowing us to directly acquire data and develop algorithms capable of suggesting optimal tire pressure based on the type of usage.

What concrete benefits does this bring for fleets and contractors?

This data translates into effective fuel savings, simply by adjusting the tractor’s timing and adapting the pressure based on the type of terrain.

We have also launched an innovative service for some fleets and contractors: the hourly cost tire supply, with remote maintenance via diagnostic software that continuously monitors pressure and temperature in real time.

Is the Alliance Field Day part of this process of “performance objectification”?

Exactly. The event was organized by Yokohama-ATG to present new Alliance products, and they chose our facility specifically to bring the presentation to life. We conducted field and road demonstrations with different pressures, then we analyzed the collected data and translated it into fuel consumption.

This approach is significantly more effective, especially in a market where many agricultural tires are launched, but their proper use and impact on fuel consumption are often unknown.

How much do product choice and inflation pressure impact performance?

Every test confirms that differences in fuel consumption and performance depend both on the product and its use. Instinctive perception is always confirmed by the numbers: the same tire, if used incorrectly, does not deliver the expected results. It is therefore essential to seek advice and choose the product best suited to your needs.

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How can a fleet or a contractor choose the right tire?

Manufacturers often offer two or three models for the same size, and the market tends to prioritize the brand over the tire model, without considering how much fuel a given tire might consume. For this reason, the Provana Group aims to be a point of reference: we can help the end customer choose the right product or, better yet, manage the entire tire service. We provide the most suitable tire, pre-mounted on the rim, at an hourly rate, and we take care of maintenance thanks to remote pressure and temperature monitoring.

And what do you offer to tractor manufacturers?

Our center should become—and is already becoming—a point of reference for them too. Thanks to the CAN bus, today a wealth of data is collected on tractor performance, but the tire’s environmental impact is still not considered. With our sensors, we can develop algorithms that demonstrate how tire choice can impact up to 6 liters of diesel fuel per hour. It’s therefore essential for manufacturers to take this data into account, especially when introducing new engines, whose performance can be compromised by unsuitable tires. An extreme example? Think of Formula 1 and how tire pressure can determine the outcome of a race.

Is it important for tire and tractor manufacturers to collaborate in development?

Absolutely—and I would add wheel manufacturers as well. When all the players communicate, truly effective solutions emerge. If everyone goes their own way, technical developments are more difficult to achieve.

Is there already a beginning of a collaboration?

I’d say so, even though we’re living through a challenging period, with some major historic tire brands exiting the agricultural sector. However, I sense a greater push toward innovation, because manufacturers know that without innovation, they risk being driven out of the market due to price pressures.

The Provana Group has already initiated collaborations with two tractor brands and several tire brands. We were delighted that Yokohama-ATG chose our facility for the Alliance event with press and customers: we believe it’s important to provide the market with objective, technical information.

Yokohama-ATG has begun to explain that price isn’t the crucial point: what matters is the overall operating cost, both in terms of fuel savings and emissions reduction. And that’s exactly where we need to get to: operating costs are the real indicator, and the differences don’t depend so much on the brand, but on the choice of the right solution and the way the tire is used.

(translation of the article on the following website: Pneusnews.it – Link)

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