Tire Trends

Tires have caught up with tractors and combines. Rubber is now stronger, wider and taller. Farmers now have the ability to “over tire”-put too much tire on their tractors. That’s good, it means farmers have choices.

Here are some tire tips and trends.

Bigger, wider tires are the current trend in the farm tire industry. They run on lower air pressure and reduce compaction, even in wet fields. This is especially important because today’s heavier row-crop tractors-which weigh 8 tons or more-can cause compaction even in dry fields

In the past few years, radials have evolved with even more flexibility and wider footprints. Their profiles are now so wide that in some cases duals have almost the same footprint as triples.

All tire manufacturers are working on a new tire called the IF (increased flexion) tires. It will run with 20% less air pressure and carry 20% more.

Proper air pressure is key to optimum performance, no matter what type of tire you buy.

Manufacturers say that they are working on puncture-resistant compounds. That would certainly help with stubble damage.