What’s Different About Tractor Tires

Tractor tires are different than the tires you use for cars or regular trucks. Tractor tires are designed specifically to handle the work loads and difficult terrain that is found away from the pavement. There are as many different types of tractor tires as there are different types of tractors.

Size Matters

Tractor tires can range from very small to incredibly large. The smallest tires are used on smaller tractors, like lawn mowers or power edgers. These tires are generally smaller than car tires, and they can be purchased at most hardware stores. Larger tractor tires can be as tall as an average man, and they are designed to fit construction machinery or farm tractors. These monster tires can sometimes be as big as the tractor itself, and provide the stability that tractors need when they work on rough terrain. Dump trucks and earth movers usually have the largest tractor tires.

Tread Depth

When you look at different tractor tires, you will notice that they all have different types of tread. Some of the treads are very deep, and create caverns between each tread. Other tractor tires have treads that are very similar to those you’d find on a normal car tire. The depth of the tread is important when a tractor needs to maneuver over difficult ground. If the ground is relatively flat and dry, like a front lawn, the tread doesn’t need to be very deep. If the ground is muddy and contains several different levels, like at a quarry, the treads help the tractor maintain a grip on whatever ground is available.

Changing Tractor Tires

Some tractor tires are easy to change, and the process is similar to changing the tire on a car. All you have to do is unbolt the tire, replace it with a new one, and bolt it back on to the tractor again. Larger tractor tires require a little something extra when they are changed. Since they are too big to be carried by a human, you have to change large tractor tires using special machinery. Most auto mechanics have the ability to change out large tractor tires, but it is a good idea to call before you take your tractor in, just to be sure.