Tips for Choosing Tractor Tires

If you use a tractor, you'll need tractor tires. But navigating the wide selection of options and understanding all the lingo can be a challenge. How do you figure out which one works best for your given terrain, tractor, and the job at hand?

Here at Rivera's Machinery, we strive to make your life easier. That's why we gathered up the following tips on buying tractor tires. Remember that you can also visit our dealership to ask questions and get advice in person. We proudly serve those in Harlingen, San Benito, and Donna, Texas.

Types of Tractor Tires

When shopping for tires, there are plenty of options before you. The default for dry land farming are called agricultural tires (or, a more technical term, R-1). These are designed to give the tires a great grip on dry land using traction-grabbing lugs that run at deep angles.

R-2 tires are designed for wet and mucky turf. These are ideal for rice paddies and other farming types that tend to be less common in North America. They offer increased tread depth to give better grip on slippery surfaces.

R-3 tires are also called turf tires. Think of these as a general, all-purpose tractor tire. They provide decent traction on turf with loose material, such as gravel or sand. A key advantage here is that they have the least impact on the ground it drives over.

R-4 tires are used for industrial projects. They provide exceptional traction through their interwoven tread and lug design. They also have a decreased impact on the ground they cruise over. But it's important to note they may be too big for many tractors.

Some tractors work well when the front and back tires are different. For front tires, make sure to pick an option specifically ribbed for improved grip. Single-rib tires (known as F-1) can offer improved steering control and deeper penetration into the soil. Three-ribbed (or F-2 tires) give control with minimized lateral side-slip from the raised center rib. F-2M offer four ribs and are ideal for heavy loads on hard surfaces.

Bias Ply vs Radial

Both of these options come with their own advantages and disadvantages. Bias ply tires are usually cheaper to maintain and replace when used at a lower speed. Their sidewall is more durable against obstacles, making them less likely to incur damage. 

Radial tires will usually cost you more money, but they offer plenty of benefits. You'll enjoy a smoother ride. These tractor tires also offer a longer tread life, especially when you ride on harder surfaces. They will impact the soil less. Finally, they run at a lower pressure more effectively which helps you save on fuel.

Load Rating

Another key aspect of tractor tires to consider is the load rating. Tires just can't operate well when they are overweight. Load ratings are shown as stars that relate to the maximum tire pressure in PSI. You can usually find this next to the width and diameter ratings. 1-star relates to a maximum of 18 psi, 2-star relates to a 24 psi maximum, and 3-star relates to a 30 psi maximum. You can use these psi numbers and the tire size to figure out the total capacity of the tractor tires.

If you have any questions about shopping for tractor tires or are ready to look at options, visit the friendly staff at Rivera's Machinery, Inc. We are happy to discuss tractor tires more in-depth and offer you advice based on your budget and tractor. We proudly serve those in Harlingen, San Benito, and Donna, Texas. Stop by today!