Tires are critical to the effectiveness of your tractor and impact a wide variety of factors, including carrying load, soil compaction, power and much more. Knowing how to choose your tires will allow you to make the most of your tractor, reducing fuel usage and keeping the land in good condition.
Keep these features in mind as you browse the many tire options available.
Each tire has seemingly random numbers and letters printed on the side of it—but these numbers are not random. They tell you everything you need to know about the anatomy of that tire.
As you read, you'll learn what the important details mean and how to use them to find the right tire for your tractor. Note that information is displayed differently on each tire, not to mention some are in metric and some are standard. Knowing the basics will allow you to decode the important tire features, regardless of how it's displayed.
Wider tires give you more flotation in sandy or muddy soil. There is less ground pressure per square inch because the weight of the tractor is spread out over a larger footprint. If you have wider tires, you have more traction. The more surface of the tire contacting the ground, the greater the traction. A wider tire is heavier, takes more horsepower to turn, and is more susceptible to cuts and snags simply because you have more tire on the ground.
All tractor tires are either tubed or tubeless. The tubes live inside the tires and are generally required when a tire needs liquid ballast, which is dictated by the tire itself and your personal preference. Tubeless tires tend to last longer and are easier to repair—when a tubed tire is punctured, you'll need to remove and disassemble it to repair both the tube and the tire itself. Your decision to choose tubed versus tubeless is a personal one, unless the tires you need or want require tubes.
Tire pressure affects how effectively your tractor navigates the terrain, including, soil compaction, driveline and fuel usage. This makes it an important element to consider when buying and maintaining tractor tires. The first thing you need to know is that high-pressure tires increase ground compaction, reducing efficiency, versus low pressure, which reduces compaction and increases efficiency.
To determine the best inflation for your tires, it's best to refer to manufacturer recommendations. Most major brands share their pressure charts for each particular tire, taking into account load rating and tread.
If you're working on a budget, it may be necessary to buy used tractor tires. If you choose to buy used rather than new, be critical about the wear and tear the tires have already experienced—and consider how those will affect the soil you're working in.
For example, if you often drive in mud, and the tires are significantly worn out, you'll experience more slip—leading to lower efficiency and wasted fuel. To determine the tread wear, measure tread depth and compare to the manufacturer's numbers to see exactly how far the tires have been worn down.
Also consider:
Are they bias? Radials are more expensive, but much more efficient, making them the preferred tire style in the industry.
There's a lot to consider when choosing the right tires for your tractor. Keep these features and details in mind as you research the options.