Farms and fields are getting larger and farther apart.  That means farm equipment, especially tractors, spend a lot more time on the road.  Bill Durivage, a tire expert at Firestone Ag, explains why choosing the right tires is so important for road travel.

 

"Number one is going to be your safety and then your longevity of the tire itself. In terms of safety, you want to make sure you have the right speed rate that matches your equipment speed.  Having a tire that's not rated for the speed that you're transporting can cause overheating within the tire, which can cause critical damage. Road-optimized tires have a smoother-running tread pattern.  They can mitigate heat generation and provide better steering control.  They can minimize things like unwanted bouncing or vibrations, which could lead to driver fatigue.  Road-optimized tires can travel without causing too much wear or fast wear on the tires.  So, having tires optimized for that wear performance will be more from your tire investment overall.”

 

Durivage added there are several features that can and will impact speed ratings, ride comfort, and wear life.

 

“The tread pattern can be optimized to deliver a smooth ride while promoting even wear, and also delivering in-field traction.  Also, the tread volume, and how much rubber is in the tread can also dictate how much life you get out of the tire.  The tread compound itself, the rubber formulation that we put on the treads are designed to provide resistance against wear, protecting stubble damage in the field, but also enhance the durability.  The sidewall design is another critical aspect of the tire design. Tires act as the primary suspension of tractors, especially on fixed frames, delivering a smooth ride over any terrain. The sidewalls need to deflect, but maybe strong enough also to carry those loads without cracking.”

 

Don’t forget to inflate the tires to the proper level, he noted.

 

“The tire inflation carries the load and dictates what the tire's deflection is, and it kind of changes that stiffness of the tire," Durivage said.  "So, by having less air in the tire, your tire's going to deflect more, and that's going to reduce your overall tire stiffness and increase the footprint length. With that bare footprint, you're going to minimize soil compaction. You're going to reduce your tire slip, which is going to save fuel in the field. Now, more air is going to deflect less, so it's going to increase your tire stiffness and reduce that footprint length. So, maintaining your proper inflation to carry the load in your application will help you maintain traction, protect the durability of your tires, and prevent any kind of rapid or irregular wear, and just ensure a safe operation overall.”

 

Durivage said there are several key issues to consider when picking the right tire for your needs.

 

“It’s just your application. How much time are you spending in the field? How much time are you spending on the road?  What is your highest load scenario for the type of tools that you're carrying with your tractor? You can select the proper load index tire or the right tire technology, a standard radial tire, or a VF radial tire, which can carry up to 40% more load than the standard," Durivage said.  "And remember, it's just a balancing act. We need to have a tire that provides comfort and smoothness on the road but also traction in the field, where you're gonna be using that in the primary application.”

 

To learn more, Durivage encouraged farmers to visit Firestone's Agricultural Website.

 

If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsquaremedia.com 

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