How To Choose the Right Compact Tractor Tyres

13/10/2017 - Big Tyres

Compact tractors are very versatile machines. Whether doing light tillage work in loose soils, landscaping on sensitive turf or moving construction materials on concrete, compact tractors have the ability to get the job done in almost any setting. That ability, however, is highly dependent on having the right tyres for the application.

Compact tractor tyres are generally split up into three categories — agricultural tyres, turf tyres and construction tyres — each of which are designed to perform on a specific terrain.

Agricultural Tyres

Agricultural Tyres generally feature an open-centre (R1, R1W, R2) tread design with a higher void-to-lug ratio and a larger tread depth than turf or construction tyres. This design offers good performance in loose soil work - such as light tillage - where traction is a concern, but ground disturbance is not.

Turf tyres

Turf Tyres are generally a diamond (R3) tread design, which features shallow, button-style lugs that are flexible and will not damage sensitive turf. This design is ideal for settings where ground disturbance is a concern, such as landscaping work on golf courses. Turf tyres come in a variety of widths, but it's important to know that the wider the tyre, the better the flotation. Wide flotation tyres spread the ground-bearing pressure over a greater footprint, which reduces turf damage. As an example, a push mower can actually do more damage to a wet lawn than a much heavier tractor with flotation tyres due to the larger footprint.

Construction Tyres

Construction Tyres utilise a wide-lug (R4) tread design with shallow, durable lugs designed with a void-to-lug ratio between that of agricultural tyres and turf tyres. With more rubber on the road than an agricultural tyre, the tyres provide a smooth ride and prolonged tread wear on hard surfaces such as concrete and asphalt.

Choosing the Right Compact Tractor Tyres

The type of tyres on a tractor should be a critical factor in the overall decision to buy a tractor, not only from a performance perspective, but from a cost perspective. Keep in mind that switching the tyre setup from turf to agricultural (or from any setup to another) may require an entirely new wheel and tyre combination.

It is also of paramount importance that the tyres match the exact specifications of the wheel. Because most compact tractors feature a mechanical front wheel drive, they have a lead/lag ratio, meaning that the front wheels turn faster than the rears. Thus, if the overall diameter of the tyres does not match the exact specifications of the wheel, the drive train can be damaged. This demonstrates the importance of selecting both the tyre and wheel assembly from the same manufacturer or from separate manufacturers that make standardised sizes readily available.

Maintaining Your Compact Tractor Tyres

The best way to ensure tyre longevity is to regularly monitor and adjust inflation pressures to the recommended levels of the manufacturer, which can vary greatly based on load. It’s important to consult the manufacturer’s handbook on recommended inflation pressures whenever an attachment is added or removed from the tractor. Doing so will ensure the tyres are not under- or over-inflated, both of which can cause damage to the tyre.

Contact Us for Help & Advice

Getting the right compact tractor tyres can often be tricky, especially if you are trying to switch from one application to another. For expert help and advice just Contact Us with your enquiry.