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If you run and maintain agricultural equipment like heavy tractors or combines, it's important to understand their tires. Ag tires are different from regular vehicle tires in several ways. Knowing those differences can help ensure you choose the right tires for your machinery, and keep those tires properly maintained for years of safe and effective service.

The Wheel & Tire Superstore is one of Texas' best sources for tires, including an extensive range of ag tires. We're here to help whenever you have questions or issues about your tires! So, in this article, we want to talk about how ag tires differ from regular tires and how you can make the most of your ag tire investment.

I. The Particular Challenges of Ag Tires

Ag tires need to do heavy-duty work unlike most other types of tires. This leads to several specific challenges that ag tires need to overcome.

1. Soft, uneven terrain. Farm machinery will rarely be on a paved surface and is often moving across terrain prone to shifting. They must have exceptional traction in many conditions because of the uneven terrain.
2. Heavy weights. Farm machinery weighs far more than regular vehicles and can often out-muscle even commercial semi-trucks. This calls for super heavy-duty tire construction capable of holding up those large weights.
3. Protecting the land. Despite these challenges, ag tires should do as little harm to the ground as possible, so it doesn't interfere with your crops and other land uses.

Add this up, and ag tires have to do a lot of heavy lifting - literally! This makes it imperative to find the right tires for your needs.

II. Choosing Ag Tires

1 - Sizing

This is one area where ag tires are easier to deal with than civilian tires. Unlike the long string of numbers on the side of car tires, ag tires have a short easily readable code describing their sizing. It really consists of only two numbers, such as 11.2-28.
The first number, 11.2, is the measurement from one sidewall to the other, in inches. The second, 28, is the overall rim diameter in inches. This makes it easy to know the size of your tires and find appropriate replacements.

2 - Tire pressure and load ratings

Unlike civilian tires, the pressure and load ratings are typically NOT listed on the side of the tire. For these, you'll have to refer to your ag tires owner's manual, or else look up the tires online. The Wheel & Tire Superstore can help you find this information if needed.

3 - Tubed vs Tubeless Designs

Most Ag tires these days use tubeless designs, which do not have an inner tube full of air. These are much more resistant to being punctured and going flat, but they are harder to repair if they ever are damaged.
However, tubed ag tires do still exist. They're less expensive and more prone to damage, but they are at least easier to patch up if they do get a hole.

4 - Radial vs Bias Ply Tires

These terms refer to the internal construction of the tire, and how it's supported by its inner structure.

Radial tires are better for field work, as the inner structure allows for some flexing of the sidewall. This allows them to slightly adjust their shape and better adapt to the terrain beneath them and also helps reduce their fuel use.

Bias Ply tires wrap their inner structure around diagonally and does not allow for any flexing. This offers better protection from damage, but significantly reduces traction on soft/unstable surfaces. Bias ply is best for hard terrain or hillside work.

5 - Tread Design: Lugs vs Ribs

There are two standard types of treads for ag tires, lugs and ribs.

Lug treads look more like standard wheels, with interlocking raised areas featuring deep angles. These are intended to penetrate further into the soil and offer better grip. They almost function like gears, turning their way through the ground. Lug treads are more often found on the rear wheels of ag vehicles, although they may be needed on front wheels as well if the ground is particularly soft.

Rib treads are flat grooves running all around the tire's circumference. They improve surface contact and are more likely to be found on front wheels, as they make steering easier. They also tend to offer a more comfortable ride than lug treads, although of course that's only a minor concern with agricultural work.

III. Signs You Need New Ag Tires

Finally, there's the question of when you'll need to buy new ag tires for your vehicles. Unfortunately, there's no single rule-of-thumb for replacing ag tires. The amount of wear and tear they suffer will vary greatly between farms, terrain types, and vehicles. Solid rubber tires on soft ground could potentially last for decades, while others will have lifespans more like civilian tires.
In general, you simply have to keep an eye on them. The big signs they need replacement are similar to your car's tires.

• Worn tread. If the tread is less than 20% of the original tread depth, they're becoming too dangerous to drive on - and you certainly don't want to get stuck. Check the tread around once a month, to ensure it's still solid.
• Frequent lost air. Losing air from time to time is common with Ag tires, but it shouldn't be a constant issue. If it feels like you're always adding air, there are probably imperceptible holes needing to be fixed or replaced.
• Visible damage. With larger tires or those made of solid rubber, you'll be able to see any damage done to them. Once they're worn down too far, or visibly have chunks missing, it's time for replacements.

The Wheel & Tire Superstore Has Your Ag Tires

The Wheel & Tire Superstore is Texas' #1 source for tires because we carry them all - including heavy-duty ag tires! We're a true one-stop shop, with options for nearly any vehicle type you'll find in Texas.

Have questions or need help? Just contact us!