If you own a farm tractor, at some point the tires will need to be replaced. There are a few different types and several different brands of farm tractor tires on the market today. Tire makers you have surely heard of such as Firestone, Michelin, Goodyear and Titan all make ag tractor tires. Replacing a farm tractor tire or tires is not cheap by any standard regardless of the brand or type you choose, however, so it is crucial to know the differences among them. In this article, we will take a look at bias versus radial tires as well as two different types of radials. We aim to help you make an informed choice when it comes to buying new tires for your farm tractor.
Before you buy new farm tractor tires, you will need to determine whether you need radial tires or if you can go with bias tires. Bias and radial refer to the way each type of tire is constructed. Bias tires are usually far cheaper than radials. For the most part, if your tractor does not get used frequently, is not operated on any roads and is not used for a significant amount of tilling bias tires might be all you need. If your tractor is used primarily for pulling or hauling you should be OK with bias tires. A log of owners of older tractors or tractors they do not intend to own for much longer opt for bias tires to avoid making a significant purchase for a tractor that is soon to be replaced. Radial tires tend to have a larger footprint than bias tires of the same size. That means that the traction offered is better for heavier tilling jobs. Radials also hold up better in terms of wear on roadways and do not sway or slip as much as bias tires do on roads.
If you decide to go with radials, you will likely have a choice between R-1 and R-1W tires. The R-1W is a deeper tread R-1 tire with more space between the lugs. Do not make the mistake of assuming that the deeper the lug the better the traction, because this is not true in all circumstances. It will depend on the soil type and moisture. The R1-W will work well in wet ground as they can get a deeper bite and will not just spin. On hard ground they are much less effective. Some brands only offer an R-1W as they are imported from Europe where farm tractor usage differs and wetter conditions prevail.
In addition to understanding the major differences between farm tractor tires, there are other things to consider before you run out and buy new ones. Think about how you use your tractor, how frequently and extensively you use it, and how much longer you intend to own it. Determine whether you will be using the tractor on pavement or gravel and what type of tires are best for your soil. Price is obviously a concern as well so compare prices on tractor tires for sale if possible, set a budget and stick to it. You can buy tires for your farm tractor that you will be happy with for a long time to come as long as you analyze your situation and your needs first.