Not all tractor tires are built for the same job, and each machine you use requires a certain type of tire. Increase traction and reduce compaction in your field with the right tires for your equipment.
Want to figure out what type of tractor tire would be best for the job? Take a look at this list we put together of the most common types of agricultural and industrial tires, as well as their unique characteristics, to help you decide.
- R1: Agricultural Tires - R3: Turf Tires - R4: Industrial Tires - What About R2 Tires? - Choosing the Right Tractor Tires
Application-specific tires improve the performance of your tractor by providing the attributes you value most, like traction, ride quality, fuel efficiency, and impact on the ground. And, matching the tire tread type to the terrain type is a simple, yet effective way to increase tire life.
R1 tires, also known as “agricultural” or “ag tires,” are standard for farm tractors. They feature large, widely-spaced lugs designed to prevent slipping or clogging. These tires excel on soft surfaces—like fields of corn, soybeans, and wheat—delivering excellent traction and self-cleaning and reliable performance when working on challenging terrain.
These tires are known for their:
- Large widely-spaced lugs - Narrow tread build - Aggressive gripping power - Bar height of roughly 1.5 inches - Strong off-road capabilities - Ability to conquer wet, muddy conditions
A variation of the R1 tire, known as the R1W, is designed for especially wet and soggy conditions. The “W” in its name stands for “wet,” which is exactly where they excel. R1W tires feature a 20% deeper bar-lug tread pattern than R1 tires, which creates more stability and brake power, making them perfect to use in heavy, wet, and muddy soils.
R3 tires are known as “turf tires” for good reason. They are intended to work on lawns, grass, or forage crops, finding the balance between traction and gentleness.
- Shallow tread depth - Closely-spaced lugs - Wide tread - Ease on the ground
These factors come together to equally distribute the weight of the tractor across a wider surface area, creating a tire that’s very gentle on lawns and minimizes damage as much as possible.
However, while R3 tires are the perfect choice for mowing grass and performing routine garden chores, they’re not as suitable for wet conditions (mud, snow, etc.). Their shallow treads can quickly clog and reduce traction, causing your tractor to spin its wheels.
R4 tires, also known as “industrial tires”, are wide and durable tires designed primarily for hard surface use like asphalt, concrete, and gravel. In terms of tread depth and lug spacing, they fall in between R1 and R3 tires—this blend of strengths results in a tread design that offers decent traction while shedding mud and snow.
- Sturdy sidewall - Ability to carry heavy loads - Versatility - Durability
While R4 tires aren’t as kind on grass as R3 tires, and they’re not as effective at traversing challenging terrain as R1 tires, they really shine when tasked with their intended purpose: carrying heavy loads over hard ground. They don’t wear down as quickly and feature tough sidewalls capable of supporting a lot of weight.
Although they aren’t as commonly used as R1, R3, and R4 tires, R2 tires do exist. With treads twice as deep as R1 tires, R2 tires operate best in extremely wet conditions, such as muddy sugar cane fields and the standing water found in rice paddies. Because of this, R2 tires are also called “rice/cane tires.”
However, the extreme design of R2 tires makes them less suitable for general use. Unless you’re farming in exceptionally wet conditions, an R1 or R1W tire will provide better overall performance.
Our Wonderland Tire specialists typically ask the following questions before making a tractor tire recommendation:
- Do you have a lot of hills? - Is your terrain wet or dry? - Will you primarily be working on grass? - Do you intend to use your tractor for pavement work? - What attachments will you be using most often?
Being equipped with answers to these questions will assure a quick diagnosis by a tire specialist, letting you know which tractor tire is right for you.
If you’re not sure how you’ll be using your equipment or don’t have a clear answer because of diverse land conditions, then it’s best to consult with an expert. Give us a call or stop by your nearest Wonderland Tire location if you’re unsure.
Have any other questions about tire types and sizes? We explain everything you need to know in this guide!
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