Some Fatherly Advice About Tractor Tires

When it comes to buying farm tires, it’s easy to get confused, or worse, taken advantage of.

From evaluating the condition of your current tires to exploring new tread designs, tire size, ply rating, load capacity and construction type (radial versus bias), it’s easy to get overwhelmed into overpaying.

Advancements in technology, such as IF/VF radial tire technology and central tire inflation systems, along with next-gen implements — adding new tires can feel more like adding a new mortgage.

After spending a few days talking to farmers about their tractor tires, you’re bound to hear some good old-fashioned dad-vice.

Every day, every type of American puts their five million tractors to work; most do it as a profession while some do it as a pastime, and others farm strictly as a passion.

So, in the spirit of exploring the connection our machines have with the land they work, here’s a quick guide on replacing your tractor tires; inspired by advice you’d probably get from your dad.

If It Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It

Replacing your tractor tires is an expensive decision, but it’s more than just an expense, it’s an investment in the health of your tractor, your land and the financial wellness of your operation. An investment in new tires usually pays for itself in less than 36 months with increased fuel efficiency, saved time costs and decreased drivetrain wear and tear. With farm tires, the ratio of longevity to productivity is king, so any factor that can impact a farm tire’s lifespan is a critical factor.

There are three primary tire types: R1, R3 and R4. Agricultural/farm tires (R1), known nearly as much for their dirt-grabbing ability as they are for their versatility. Those are the most common tractor tires and serve as the foundation of our agricultural economy. On the other hand, R3 tires are designed for smooth operation over the delicate turf they produce or care for. Meanwhile, R4 tires are the roughest and toughest around, made for heavy-duty work on brutal construction sites and gravel surfaces.

Since the average age of the American tractor is 25 years old, this should make most of your decisions about swapping out your worn-out, old tires an easy one. If you’ve owned and operated your tractor for more than two seasons with no issues, put the exact same tires on it (if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!).

Now, if you’re putting the same tires back on your tractor, there are some decisions to be made. Radials are generally a better choice than bias tires in nearly every situation — the longer the tire lasts and the less it slips, the better it is for most farmers and tractor operators. The difference between bias and radial tires is in their construction, and radial tires generally last longer, can carry larger loads and absorb more bumps than bias tires. Of course, radials cost considerably more. However, as mentioned earlier, that upgrade will usually pay for itself after a couple of seasons.

Work Smarter, Not Harder

Filling your rear tractor tires with ballast is an old-school way of adding extra weight to reduce slippage — farmers use everything from plain water to windshield-washer fluid to add some extra weight for grip. However, adding ballast requires tubes, and while the process isn’t complicated, if you’re traveling any distance on roads, ballast tires are a rough ride and will disproportionately wear your tires out.

Servicing your tractor can also be far more precarious since each tire can weigh up to 500 pounds, so plan accordingly. Adding implements is often a cost-effective way to add grip while eliminating the potential headaches associated with adding ballast to your tires.

When to Replace Your Tires

How do you know when it’s time to bid farewell to your trusty tractor tires? The lifespan of tractor tires typically ranges between three to six years.

Do you know how old your tractor tires are? Are you guessing? Here’s how you can know for certain.

Somewhere in proximity of the valve stem, you’ll see a grouping of four large numbers — the first two indicate the week while the last two indicate the year the tire was manufactured.

In addition to your tire’s birthday, there are several other signs that can indicate replacement is imminent such as dryness and cracks, consistent or acutely excessive wear and tear, bulges on the tire surface, trouble holding pressure and, most importantly, increased slippage.

When assessing tire wear, keep in mind that most industry experts will agree that the ideal slip percentage for field work is somewhere between 5% and 15%. Too little slip strains your drivetrain and equipment, while excessive slip wastes time and fuel. Monitoring tire condition, and pressure regularly will help you get the most out of your tractor and will help maximize the lifespans of both your drivetrain and your tires.

It’s also a not-so-well-kept secret on farms that half-worn-out tractor tires out pull brand-new tractor tires nearly every time. So, unless you see tell-tale signs of damage or safety concerns, if the tire has anywhere between 30% to 50% of its original tread depth remaining, you currently have the absolute best pulling tire available on your tractor and you can save your money.

Let’s Talk Money

Speaking of money, according to the International Market Analysis Research and Consulting (IMARC) Group, demand for farm machinery has increased consistently over the past two years, especially in North America, driven by efforts of governments to promote more mechanization of agriculture given technological advancements and chronic shortages of labor. Dozens of government initiatives, such as disbursal of low-interest loans and subsidies to farmers owning small acres of agricultural land, has spurred demand for farm tractors, which is accelerating market development. That’s a fancy way of saying that now may be the best time to explore replacement options given the vast opportunities made available due to market forces and government action.

Demand for more tractors equals demand for more tractor tires, and IMARC also points out that a surge in demand for new, versatile, durable and flexible agriculture tires is expected to augment market growth, buoying the global $8 billion tractor tire market to $12 billion by 2032.

Increased demand for new tires has created a robust secondary market for nearly every type of tire out there and allows local suppliers to not only offer dynamic used replacement options, but many also offer credit or cash for trading in used tires, making the transition smoother and less expensive. Your local dealers can also be a good first call if you find yourself with an acute failure of one tire on a dual axle. Finding the exact same tire with a similar wear pattern as a replacement is the best-case scenario, the increased availability of nearly every type of tractor tire imaginable makes finding a thrifty replacement much more likely. As long as the tire diameters are within a half-inch of one another, you should be good to go.

Final Word

In the end, choosing the right time and the right type of replacement tires can seem like a complex and overwhelming decision. But, applying some of dad’s simple, old-fashioned advice when navigating the balancing act between performance, safety and cost-effectiveness can make this intimidating decision an easy one.