Agricultural and Industrial Tires – An Overview
What are the basic tractor tire types, and what is the optimal tread for a specific application? What tire will give me optimal performance? Can the wrong tire damage my equipment? Our tire experts hear these questions every day at WSD from both existing and new customers. The correct tire can increase your tractive power, minimize compaction and reduce ground disturbance. We have constructed a list that gives an overview of the most common various agricultural and Industrial tires and their unique characteristics. Be aware of the “WARNING”s listed below– although each tire listed below can improve your tractor’s performance, it may not be ideal for every situation and application.
Tire and wheel assembly
WSD, Inc. is the total tire and wheel assembly resource for tractor dealerships. We carry all major U.S. tire brands as well as many foreign brands. No matter the application or quantity, we can provide you with the optimal solution.
R1 Basic characteristics:
• Deep tread
• A deep v bar pattern
• Aggressive gripping power leads to improved traction
• Bar height of roughly 1.5 inches
• Optimal in wet, muddy conditions and deep snow
• Need pulling power? The R1 offers the best transfer of your tractor’s power in the field
• WARNING: Not the best choice for surfaces like lawns and turf where appearance is valued
• WARNING: With heavy road use, the basic R1 tread will have a shorter lifespan
R2 Basic characteristics:
• Similar to the R1 in appearance
• Deeper tread than the R1
• Bar height up to 2.5 to 3 inches
• A more-severe tread angle compared to the R1
• Paddle like effect leads to better traction in mud and water
• WARNING: A specialized tire that excels in rice and cane fields
• WARNING: Potentially extremely damaging to lawns and turf
R3 Basic characteristics:
• Also known as Turf tires
• Typically wider with a tighter tread when compared to the R1 and R2
• Traction with minimal tread
• Best for groomed lawn and turf
• Possesses a pattern rather than tread bars as seen in the R1 and R2
• Help to minimize soil compaction
• Popular with landscapers, golf course groundkeepers
• WARNING: Not the best choice for wet, muddy conditions
R4 Basic characteristics:
• Optimal for hard surfaces
• Thicker sidewalls allow for heavier loads
• Less susceptible to puncturing from thorns and sharp branches
• Possesses a bar pattern; however, the bars tend to be closer together and flatter when compared to the R1 and R2
• Large and closely spaced shallow treads
• Popular with small tractor owners who desire a multipurpose tire suitable for a wide range of tasks
• WARNING: Not the best choice for wet, muddy, snowy conditions[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text el_class=”.product-h2right2″]
I1, I2, I3, F2M, F2, F1: Ribbed and Implement Tires
I1, I2, I3, F2M, F2, F1 Basic characteristics:
• Popular on the front wheels of two-wheel drive tractors
• Good lateral traction and allows for easier steering in loose soil and mud
• Tire stays relatively clean due to the tread running around the tire instead of across it
• Typically will not see a loss of traction due to build up
• WARNING: Due to a wide rib that extends around the tire instead of across it, these tires do not provide much traction in forward or reverse