What Type of Tire is Best for My Farm Equipment?

Have you ever wondered what the differences in tires really mean? What features are best for your specific applications? Read on for the tire showdown!

Bias vs. Radial

The key difference between bias and radial construction is in the tire carcass and the material construction of the tires, according to Greg Gilland, Business Development and Ag Segment Manager for Maxam Tire International.

“Radial tires use a single radial casing as a spring to push the working belts onto the working surface. This creates a uniform contact patch for the tire tread to deliver both the necessary traction and friction to carry the load in any direction under power.”

While bias tires still have their place, Gilland says most ag and construction equipment is now equipped with radial tires due to their improved footprint and traction, ability to reduce soil compaction, and extended service life.

Nylon vs. Polyester Fabric

Cotton was the original fabric of choice making up the body plies in tire carcasses, but today synthetic fabrics like nylon and polyester are favored by manufacturers. They are stronger and more resilient, required fewer plies to have the same strength as cotton.

Most bias belted agricultural tires are made with nylon because it’s a stronger fabric and bonds with rubber better than polyester, said Dave Paulk, Manager of Field Technical Services for BKT USA.

Polyester is mainly used for rigidity and stability because of its lower rate of shrinkage, Paulk said. He added that polyester does not flat spot in the cold like nylon.

“Both polyester and nylon are important in ag tire manufacturing,” Paulk said. “It’s not so much a matter of preference but where do they work best in the process and the quality of tires produced.”

While James Crouch, National Segment Manager, Agriculture and Forestry for Yokohama Off-Highway Tires America, says their tire carcass material makeup is proprietary, the use of nylon and polyester is a matter of balancing strength, adhesion, weight, and cost with the demands of the application.

All-Steel vs. Steel Belt

All-steel casings have a steel belt instead of a fabric belt running from bead to bead in a radial design. Steel belted tires are designed with fabric with a steel belt (or multiple steel belts) overlaid under the tread area.

“All-steel casings are easier to repair sidewall cuts and punctures, and the steel doesn’t shrink or stretch, allowing for consistent sizing,” Paulk said. “Steel belts provide a flatter footprint and can reduce rolling resistance. Flatter footprints create better traction, even wear, better handling, and longer tire life.”

What it ultimately comes down to is matching the tire to the work the equipment will do. David Graden, Operational Market Manager – Agriculture for Michelin Ag recommends a checklist for the features you want to get from your tires.

“For example, skid steer work on concrete might need an all-steel tire, while puncture resistance on a telehandler working in hay should use a steel belt,” he said.