posted
on Thursday, October 4, 2018
in
United Ag & Turf News
You’ve selected your tractor’s transmission and how you are putting power to the ground. Now you need to select the wheels on which to move. In the equipment world you will see things like R1, R3, R4 or tracks in the description. This lingo is a description of the classification of tires. It describes the construction and design pattern on the treads.
A pneumatic, air filled, tire is built with steel reinforced rubber belting, like baler belting. The tread is what contacts the road. The depth and pattern or molded grooves of the tread determine the tire’s friction capabilities.
| R1 tires are described as “Ag Tires” with an aggressive, wide and deep tread pattern. These tires are ideal for most row crop farming where rutting is not an issue. |
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| R3 tires are recognized as turf tires. The have a low-profile tread with increased ground contact with their wider stance. These tires are ideal for golf courses and lawns to minimize turf damage. |
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| R4 tires are known as industrial tires. They are often viewed as an all-purpose tire. The tires are like tread pattern of R1 tires but less aggressive. They provide great traction and minimal disturbance of the ground. They are wider than the R1 tires but not as wide as R3 making them suitable for most applications. The sidewalls are thicker in R4 tires giving it more strength when using a loader. |
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| Continuous tracks are common in military or construction applications. These are normally rubber coated metal links. These increase the foot print of the equipment offering more traction and stability. The larger footprint decreases the stress areas and pressure points with the ground. This creates greater water and soil displacement. Continuous tracks have a greater cost and longer life span. |
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When it comes to choosing a tire it as about application purpose and soil condition. Talk with your neighbors, your Farm Bureau agents, the folks at your local feed store and the representatives at your preferred equipment dealer. These are the people who will help you with your equipment questions and how maximize its potential.
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