Different Types of Tractor Tyres & How to Select the Right Tyre?

Tractors have a long history in the automobile sector. Mainly meant for off-road purposes, the vehicle offers many uses. The farms in the late 1990s used these tractors as steam engines for agricultural purposes. From then on, these heavy vehicles witnessed rapid progress in their design and features.

One of the most integral components of tractors is their tyres. They come in different designs, tractions, and features to provide multiple uses in industries, farms, and wet areas. Through this article, we have gathered all the necessary details you need to know about tractor tyres.

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Different Types of Tractor Tyres
Tractor Tyres Sizes
Read a Tractor Tyre Size
Calculate Tractor Tyre Size
Tractor Tyre Brands in India
Selecting the Right Tractor Tyre
How to Maintain Tractor Tyre?
Maintain Tractor Tyre Pressure
Frequently Asked Questions

Different Types of Tractor Tyres

Tyres for tractors are manufactured in different types to provide various performance abilities under given circumstances. Thus, choosing the best set of tyres is one of the essential factors in increasing the efficiency and output of tractors.

Tractor Tyres	Description
Agricultural Tyres (R1)	These tyres, also known as R1 or tractor-trolley tyres, are meant for farm tractors. They have excellent durability and incorporate deep treads, making them suitable for hilly regions.
R2 Tyres	R2, rice, or paddy tyres are explicitly constructed to operate on wet and muddy grounds. They have enhanced treads compared to R1 tyres. They have far deeper treads and offer better grip on the muddy field.
Turf Tyres (R3)	Turf tractor tyres, commonly called R3 tyres, are best for lawns and hard surfaces. Their treads are a blend of both agricultural and industrial patterns. They are broader than R1 or R2 tyres but have less tread depth.
Industrial Tyres (R4)	Industrial tyres are manufactured for construction and industries, mainly for heavy industrial purposes. Their flat bottom helps them grip well on hard surfaces like concrete and asphalt.

What are the Different Tractor Tyres Sizes?

Tractor tyre size comes in many varieties, as listed below:

Tyre	Size
Standard Front Tractor Tyre	6.00-16 7.50-16 6.50-16
Most Preferred Front Tractor Tyre	20-inch rims and 6.50-20
Rear Tractor Tyre Size	12.4-28 13.6-28 14.9-28 16

Apart from these specifications, tractor tyres are available in three different formats. The following section briefly discusses these formats.

Standard: It uses width and diameters to consider measurements.
Radical: Radical tyres are considered fuel-efficient and offer smooth rides. They are similar to the standard system but use “R” after the width description to define their radical features.
Metric: The tyre's width and the wheel's diameter are measured by millimetres.

How to Read a Tractor Tyre Size?

The two main formats of size representation in tyres are imperial and metric. The size is described by rim diameter and width in inches, whereas metric uses millimetres for width, aspect ratio for sidewall height, and inches for rim diameter.

Imperial method:

Let us take the size of the tyre as 6.00-16.
The first number, 6.00, is the tyre's width in inches.
Hyphen (-): This indicates the bias-ply construction of the tyre.
"R" represents the radial construction.
The second number, 16, represents the diameter of the rim in inches.

Metric Method:

For this method, let us take the size of the tyres to be 380/70R24.
The first number, 380, shows the tyre's width in millimetres of the respective tyre type.
Slash (/): This divides the width from the ratio of width to height, which is the aspect ratio.
70 is the aspect ratio.
The aspect ratio is the sidewall's height expressed as a percentage of the tyre width.
The size of the rim is 24 inches.

How to Calculate Tractor Tyre Size?

The tyre's sidewall mentions the measurements of the tyre. You can also refer to the user manual to check the measurements. There are various other ways to calculate the size of tractor tyres.

Tyre-Section Width:

A tyre's cross-sectional width, excluding the tread, is the maximum distance across its sidewall. This means a standard tape measure may not measure an accurate one. For the most accuracy, it is advisable to use callipers that are wide enough to enclose the side wall. The callipers reaching the bottom will be able to capture its full depth while finding its widest point.

String Method:

Here's a way to measure your tractor tyre diameter using string:

Grab some string and tie one end to a spot on the tyre.
Wrap the string comfortably around the tyre, following its centre line.
Mark the string where it completes the loop and meets the starting point.
Cut the string at the mark and lay it flat. The length of the string is the tyre's circumference.
Divide the circumference by 3.14 (pi). This will give you the tyre's diameter.
Since you're measuring a used tyre, the perfect size replacement might not exist. Use the diameter and width to find a close match in the Databook.
Finally, check the tyre sidewall for an "R" to see if it's radial construction.

Tractor Tyre Brands in India

There are various tractor tyre brands available in India. Some of the best brands available in India are as follows:

1. Appolo Tyres

2. CEAT Tyres

3. JK Tyres

4. MRF Tyres

5. Good Year Tyres

6. Birla Tyres

7. Ralco Tyres

8. BKT Tyres

9. TVS Tyres

10. MRL Tyres

How to Select the Right Tractor Tyres?

Various strategies are involved in choosing the most suitable tractor tyres. However, knowing the options can help you make an informed choice.

1. Purpose of the Tyres:

Selecting tractor tyres is all about their effectiveness. Selecting a tyre based on the tractor’s purpose is necessary. For example, tractors used for agriculture purposes require more robust and sturdy tyres.

2. Choose the Right Size:

The tyre's size needs to match the tractor’s size, weight, and purpose. Using the wrong size can lead to faster wear and tear.

3. Check the Tyre Load Capacity:

To prevent damage, the tyre load capacity, including the equipment weight, tractor size, and additional loads, must be considered.

4. Budget:

Many premium tyres are a bit expensive, but they are very long-lasting and durable, along with sturdy and efficient performance.

6. Traction of Tyres:

For safe driving, tyres with strong tread patterns are preferred. Good tread ensures better grip and improves control over the vehicle.

How to Maintain Your Tractor Tyres Well?

A few things to maintain tractor tyres well for longevity:

On-time Inspection:

Regular inspection helps to identify any wear and tear before it damages the tyre much.
Also, remove if there are any kind of debris or stone stuck to the tyre to avoid disruption.

Pressure and Load Capacity of Tyres:

Reduced air pressure has so many impacts that it destroys the tyres faster. Therefore, timely tyre pressure inspection is also necessary.
Avoid overloading the tractor in terms of weight since this is restricted to certain amounts per the tractor’s capacity.

Correct Tyre Alignment:

Ensure that the front tyre is aligned properly to avoid wear and tear due to this and steering control.

Rotate the Tyres:

It is also important to rotate the tyres periodically as it increases the longevity and even wear.

Prevent Overloading:

Overloading a tractor or exceeding the recommended weights is another prevalent mistake that should be avoided. Every tractor tyre manufacturer provides a maximum recommended weight for each tyre.

How to Maintain Ideal Tractor Tyre Pressure?

The tyre pressure should always be at the recommended level to elevate the overall performance.

Refer to the Owner’s Manual:

Guidelines about the ideal pressure are mentioned in the manual based on the tractor model and tyre size you are using.

Adjust for Load and Application:

The pressure over tyres varies based on the distinction of the area type, which can be a field or a road. For field work, tyre pressure should be low to enhance the tyre contact area with soil and reduce the compaction pressure on the soil.

On the other hand, high pressure should be maintained while driving on roads as it gives stability and efficiency.

Regular Pressure Checks:

Tyre pressure should be checked and recharged regularly.

Temperature Considerations:

On hot days, the pressure of those four tyres will also rise. Thus, during the cooler mornings, one should slightly lower them to prevent overinflation when the tyres are in use.

This way, you provide the tractor tyres with the right kind of pressure for the specific task and gain better performance, spending less and causing less harm to the soil.

Agricultural productivity is highest when the vehicle has a good set of tyres. Based on this, one can determine the best position related to the geographical area, the type of vehicle, and the maximum load to get the best performance and durability of the tyres. Hence, high-quality tyres will, in the long run, enhance productivity, decrease working costs, and make farming less hustle.

FAQs about Tractor Tyres

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How long do tractor tyres last?

The lifespan of tractor tyres depends on several factors, like their tread pattern, type of tyre, brand, quality, rim size, etc. But on average, these heavy and bulky tyres should last from fifteen to twenty years.

Why are tractor tyres black?

Tractor tyres are black since carbon black is incorporated in the manufacturing process of tyres. This increases the tyre’s strength and durability because, with the addition of carbon black, the tyre does not wear out easily.

How much does a tractor tyre cost?

The range can go from four thousand to more than fifty thousand. They can vary from one brand to another. Larger sizes and premium brands in the clothing industry are usually more costly than others.

What is the most common tractor tyre?

R1 tractor tyres are the most commonly used tyres in agriculture.

What does R1 mean on tractor tyres?

R1 represents a particular type of agricultural tyre with a determined type of tread that offers better gripping abilities in the soft and slushy ground. These tyres are typically found on agricultural equipment and vehicles.

What is the ideal load on a tractor?

The ideal load a tractor can hold depends on the type of tractor and what it is used for. The horsepower of the vehicle also decides its capacity.

What does TT mean on a tractor tyre?

TT on a tractor tyre expands to Tube Type. These tubes are placed on the inner parts of the tyres. If your tyre gets punctured, you can change the tube instead of changing the whole thing.

Can tractor tyres be retreaded?

The tyres of the tractor can be retreaded to ensure proper grip. This will ensure safety while using the vehicle and enhance its performance.

Can tractor tyres be repaired?

It depends on the extent of damage and whether the tyres can be repaired. In cases of nominal damage, repairing the tyres can be an economical solution. But if the damage is extreme, one must replace the tyres to ensure safety.

Which brand of tractor tyre is better?

Multiple brands, like Appolo, CEAT, MRF, etc, are there that sell tractor tyres. It depends on the type of tyre you are looking for and the budget to select the best option available.

How can I check the tractor tyre size?

To check the tractor tyre size, you have to know that it is mentioned on the side of the tyre; there are numbers and letters written to represent the size of the tyre. You can also consult the tractor's manual and look for tyre sizes commonly suggested for use.

What size tyres does a mini have?

Mini tractor tyres have a width of 5.5 inches, and the diameter of the rim is 24 inches. Due to their small frame, these sizes are ideal for their brittleness and suitability for lighter duties.

Why are the front tyres of tractors small?

The front tyres are smaller than the back tyres due to several reasons. Small tyres help the tractors take better turns and help in weight distribution.

What are the advantages of smaller tractor tyres?

Smaller tractor tyres have several advantages. They can navigate narrow spaces and take sharp turns. They also can be maintained easily.

Why are tractor tyres angled?

Tractor tyres are tilted for better performance on the field and to offer better gripping of the land. This angling is useful to create better ground adhesion of tyres, especially when the surface is irregular or inclined.

What is the advantage of the big wheel of a tractor?

The big wheels of the tractor provide great traction on soil. They also improve the stability of the vehicle when it carries heavy loads.

How do you match tractor tyres?

It is recommended to use matching sizes and types of front and rear tyres to have an optimum size for the tractor tyres. This balance is vital for peak efficiency to be achieved together with no uneven wear and tear experienced.

How to pick a tyre brand?

It is necessary to focus on the parameters that determine its productivity in the long term. The company’s reputation, the warranty provided, and the cost are such factors. Consult with various manufacturers to find the most suitable brand of tyre for your tractor while considering the market price.