BEAD Technology: The bead

The bead of a tire is crucial for a secure fit on the rim and therefore for the performance of agricultural machinery. Continental BEAD technology, in which the bead consists of a single piece of steel wire, sets new standards in terms of robustness, compactness and dimensional stability.

This design ensures that the bead retains its shape even under extreme loads. New core rider contours improve the suspension of the sidewall, and the optimized core profile increases durability and supports the deflection of the sidewall. This extends the service life of the tires and reduces maintenance requirements - a decisive advantage in tough agricultural use.

The BEAD technology offers two specialized core variants: The rectangular bead core design is ideal for tractor tires and rear-axle combine harvester tires with four-wheel drive. It is optimized in the contact area towards the rim and ideal to transfer traction forces between tire and rim. 

The hexagonal bead core was developed for front tires on harvesting machines where the main task is to handle high loads.The carcass material wraps around the core better for better load transmission. The hexagonal bead core leads to a higher core strength. 

With Continental's BEAD technology, farms benefit from durable tires that work reliably even under demanding conditions and increase efficiency in the field. 

BEAD technology is available in all Continental agricultural tire lines.