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Which Tractors Tires Are Right For You?

Dec. 23 2019 Miscellaneous By ___

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Your tractor is one of the most important pieces of equipment on your farm, which is why it’s important to outfit it correctly. This means getting the right tools and attachments for your tractor, as well as making sure you’re using the proper tires. The standard tires on your tractor that come from the factory may not be suitable for your purposes, or perhaps they’ve worn down and you’re looking to purchase new ones. Either way, it’s good to know what to look for and how to find the right tractors for your machine.

New South Tractor in Newton, North Carolina, is your local tractor dealer. Read on to learn about the different types of tractor tires that are available and how each one is best used.

Types

There are four basic types of tractor tire that you’ll need to keep in mind while you’re shopping, as each one has its own specific uses:

  • R1 tires are good for agricultural work like dry-land farming. They come with ground-gripping lugs to give you good traction on dry soil.
  • R2 tires have deeper treads to better suit wet and muddy conditions, and are commonly used in rice farming and other wetter types of farming that aren’t as common in the United States.
  • R3 tires are also called turf tires, and they’re suitable for general use, with good traction on loose materials like sand or gravel.
  • R4 tires are designed for industrial usage, with interwoven tread, and they tend to be very large.

Most farmers in the United States will find R1 and R3 tires to be the best options for their tractors, but if you’re operating on wet ground, consider R2, and if you need industrial-strength tires, go with R4.

Also note that each of these tires can work well for your rear tires, but the front tires of your tractor should be ribbed to improve their traction. Ribbing comes in three types:

  • F1 or single-rib tires are good for penetrating into the soil deeply to give you better traction and control.
  • F2 or three-rib tires have a raised center rib to minimize lateral slip.
  • F2M tires have four ribs, which helps them to handle heavier loads on hard ground.

Radial or Bias-Ply?

You’ll find that most passenger vehicles use radial tires these days, but with tractors, you can choose between radial or bias-ply and each has its purpose. Bias-ply tires are less costly to maintain and more durable when going at lower speeds. Radial tires are pricier, but handle more smoothly and have a long tread life on hard ground. Radial tires can also operate more efficiently at lower pressures so you can save on fuel as well.

Load Rating

One final and important factor you’ll need to consider when buying tractor tires is their load rating. If you buy tires with too low of a load rating, they won’t operate very well when the tractor is overloaded. Load ratings are represented via a star system which represents the pounds per square inch or psi level that the tire uses:

  • 1-star tires have a maximum of 18 psi.
  • 2-star tires have a maximum of 24 psi.
  • 3-star tires have a maximum of 30 psi.

You’ll find these star ratings listed after the width and diameter ratings of the tire. Combine these pressure levels with the tire size to determine how much load the tires can bear.

Come see us at our dealership in Newton, North Carolina, to take a look at our full stock of new and used tractors for sale. You can talk to our staff about different tire choices for your tractor depending on what your needs are, and we can also assist you with financing options. New South Tractor proudly serves all of our North Carolina customers, including those of you coming from Asheville.