When to replace ag tires?

Worn out tires can reduce traction, and in turn, productivity. Experts weigh in on some of the signs to look out for when to best replace your tractor’s tires.

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Tire tread depth gauge.
A tread depth gauge used for measuring ag tires. . Photo:

Ag Tire Talk

Worn out treads on ag tires can cause slippage and reduce traction, adding more time in the field, and burning excessive amounts of fuel. Tire experts weigh in on the best time to replace them before losing out on productivity. 

When to replace

If your tractor is experiencing more tire slip, and further inflation isn’t working, they may be too worn out for your operation, says Greg Gilland, vice president of global agriculture for Maxam Tire. 

Soil types and moisture content play a role in how effective tires are when they start wearing down, and replacement timing may vary by tractor usage, says Dave Paulk, field technical services managers at BKT Tires. Generally, ag tire slippage should be in the 8 to 15% range. Once tires reach about 20% of their original tread depth, it may be time to replace them.

Look for the signs

Visual inspection of the tires can reveal damage, says Blaine Cox, national product manager for agriculture, golf and turf at Yokohama Off-Highway Tires. 

“There are a few situations in which you absolutely need to replace an R-1 or R-1W tire immediately — if you see an oblong bulge that indicates a rupture in the casing, or if excessive wear has exposed belt wires or ply fabric,” says Cox. “Those conditions are unsafe, and must be addressed at once.”

Ozone cracking — identified by a network of spider web-like cracks and loss of elasticity — is another sign tires will need to be replaced. 

Ken Brodbeck, vice president of technology for Precision Inflation, offers a checklist of points to look out for when a tire may need to be replaced. 

When the tire: 

  1. No longer holds air.
  2. Will not carry or pull the load required.
  3. The tire body has cuts or breaks into the body or belt cords.
  4. Has bubbles or separations in the tire body.
  5. Is overloaded and a higher load rating or larger tire is available.

If the operator needs to minimize soil compaction, Brodbeck says an IF or VF tire that runs at lower psi may be the solution needed. 

How to replace

When replacing tires, David Graden, global account executive for Michelin AG, suggests to do so on a per axle basis. 

“We highly recommend replacing all tires across the axle with the same brand,” says Graden. “Unfortunately, you will find slightly different diameter and section width measurements between manufacturers.”

A visual showing the difference in tire tread height.
Although this drawing is exaggerated, if the tread depth difference between the left tire and the right tire is 50% or more, it's recommend to replace the right-side tire, says Chris Neidert, ag marketing, training and development manager for Trelleborg Tires.

Trelleborg Tires

Farmers may lose a tire to a field or road hazard, prompting immediate replacement of one before it’s time for the other. If the tread depth difference between the left tire and the right tire is 50% or more, Chris Neidert, ag marketing, training and development manager for Trelleborg Tires, recommends replacing the other tire as well, especially if you frequently road your tractor.

“If not replaced, this tread depth difference will affect the steering and tire wear especially if this is a front axle setup,” says Neidert.

Editor's Note: This content originally appeared in AG Tire Talk to provide answers that farm equipment dealers have about farm tire technology. This series features a trending question followed by an abridged version of the answers. For the complete answers, check out agtiretalk.com.

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