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Choosing Tractor Tires

May. 31 2019 Miscellaneous By ___

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A tractor is one of the most important machines for a farmer. That’s why all farmers try to keep their tractors in good working condition. Something that often gets overlooked in this process is using the correct tractor tires. Luckily for you, there are many options to choose from. Unfortunately, that means you have to sort through a lot of information before you can make a decision.

At Johnson Fleet and Farm, we know that you want to get what’s right for your tractor, so we’ve made this guide to help you choose. For more information, call or visit one of our dealerships in Yulee, Fernandina Beach and Hilliard, Florida, or Homerville, Georgia.

Tire Types

There are four different kinds of tractor wheels made to suit various kinds of tractor work. 

  • If you’re going to dry-land farm, you need agricultural or R1 tires. Their traction-grabbing lugs run at deep angles so they can easily grip dry land. 
  • Champion spade or R2 tires have greater tread depth, making them perfect for wet, mucky ground like rice paddies or cane fields. 
  • If you’re going to use your tractor more on loose gravel or sand and don’t want the wheels to sink, you can opt for turf or R3 tires.
  • Industrial R4 tires offer more traction through an interwoven tread and lug design while having a lesser impact on the ground. These wheels are quite big, which makes them incompatible with smaller machines.

R1 and R3 work for most farmers, unless they’re working on wet or hard ground. While any of these options might suit your needs for back wheels, for the front, it’s best to go with tractor tires specifically ribbed for extra grip. If you need to penetrate deeper into soil for extra steering control, you can get single-rib tires (F1). For better control and minimized lateral side-slip from the raised center rib, you can choose three-rib tires (F2). For carrying heavy loads on hard surfaces, you can go with F2M tires that have four ribs. 

Bias-Ply Vs. Radial

This distinction has long been resolved in the automotive industry, but with tractors, the difference is important to know.

When used at low speeds, bias-ply tractor wheels are less expensive to maintain and replace. They’re also longer lasting and their sidewalls are less prone to damage from ground obstacles.

Radial tractor tires are more expensive, but have plenty of perks to recommend them. They offer a smoother ride, have less impact on the soil, and run at a lower air pressure more effectively, saving you fuel while improving efficiency. They also have a longer tread life on harder ground.

Load Rating

One of the most important things for you to know before you make a purchase is the load rating of your tractor tire. Load ratings are marked in the form of stars that tell you the maximum tire pressure, measured in pounds per square inch (PSI). You will generally see these stars after the width and diameter ratings.

If you don’t have a high enough load rating, your tractor tires won’t operate properly while overweight. The ratings are as follows: a 1-star rating has a maximum of 18 PSI, a 2-star rating has a maximum of 24 PSI, and a 3-star rating has a maximum of 30 PSI. To figure out the total capacity of your tractor tire, you’ll have to combine these PSI numbers with the wheel size.

It can be overwhelming to make a selection from so many options, but if you know what you need to do and know what’s compatible with your particular tractor, you’ll be able to make the right decision. If you have any questions or would like to know more about your tractor tire options, don’t hesitate to come to Johnson Fleet and Farm to ask our trained technicians to help you out. We are proud to serve those in Yulee, Fernandina Beach, Hilliard, Jacksonville and St. Augustine, Florida, and Homerville, Georgia.