How Long Should My Ag Tires Last?

When the machines come out of the shed for planting and you find worn tires, the question always comes up: How long should my tires last and how can I make them run longer?

“How the tires are utilized will determine the usable service life of a tire,” said Greg Gilland, Vice President Global Agriculture, Maxam Tire International. “In all instances, the type of machinery, soil conditions, application, and air pressure maintenance will have a direct impact on ability to deliver an improved service life.”

Here are some general performance rules of the ag industry, detailing expected tire life span or replacement cycles by platform or machine category:

The wheel position on the machine also makes a big difference, as Dave Paulk, Manager Field Technical Services for BKT USA said.

“On MFWD tractors, the fronts are drive tires, but wear out about 2-1 to the rears, especially where traveling on the road is required. The reason is that the fronts usually turn 1.3 to 1.5 times faster than the rears.

“The crown of the road also plays a part in how the tires wear. The right front tire will often wear out faster than the left front. The right rear will exhibit signs of road wear but are larger and don’t turn as many times as the fronts. The road wear doesn’t show up as quickly.”

Prolonging Tire Lifespan

Tire longevity varies depending upon the equipment application and wheel position. David Graden, Global Account Manager – Agriculture, Michelin AG, shared specific ways to prolong the lifespan of agricultural tires.

1. Keep a close eye on air pressures. Try not to let the air pressure fall too low over the winter months.
2. If possible, take the weight off your tires by lifting the machine slightly during prolonged periods of storage. This will help to prevent stress at the top of the tire casing and cause “flat spotting.”
3. When the machine is not in use, store in a cool dry place. Heat is the enemy of rubber and will cause it to fatigue much faster.
4. Make sure your tires remain clean and free from any petroleum-based products. If oil has puddled under or on top of tires for a long period of time, it can cause rubber to become brittle and crack.
5. During operational months, pay close attention to your tire pressures. Make sure to have them set at the proper recommended pressures for the load, speed, and application. This will prevent unnecessary damage and wear on the lugs and casing.

Tire choice also makes a big difference.

“The first way to maximize tire life is to buy high-quality tires,” said James Crouch, National Product Manager for Agriculture, Yokohama Off-Highway Tires America. “Radials tend to last longer than bias-ply tires. Pay attention to the materials used in their construction—for instance, all-steel construction is best for durability and heat dissipation, while casings made out of polyester plies will hold their shape and wear better than nylon. Stubble guard compounds minimize punctures and stubble damage. Special design features ranging from reinforced sidewalls to bead guards can boost tire life, too.”

Proper tractor ballast is also critical to prolonging tire lifespan. According to Chris Neidert, Ag Marketing, Training, and Development Manager, Trelleborg and Mitas Tires – North America, “Besides air pressure, tractor ballasting is another neglected area of tractor operation. You spend a lot of money to get that power from the tractor, and you need to maximize that transfer of power to the ground.

All information is provided solely to provoke thought. All deductions made from information in this article must be confirmed by a certified ag tire dealer and tire manufacturer before use, with tire service work done only by certified ag tire dealer professionals.