Common Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Tractor Tires

Knowing when to replace tractor tires isn’t secret knowledge held by a lucky few. It’s an essential part of caring for your equipment. When tires age, they lose traction, create inefficiencies, and become a liability more than a benefit. Several signs tell you when to replace tractor tires with new ones.

Tread Wear

Worn tires allow too much slippage, which can reduce fuel efficiency and harm handling. The prevailing wisdom says that tires possessing less than 20% of their original tread depth need to be replaced.

Cracks and Dry Rot

Even if your tire’s lugs are still in new condition, the tire can be compromised. Rubber is subject to temperature swings, UV rays, and changes in humidity. Over time, the rubber will crack and dry rot. Look closely at your tires for cracks beginning to form along the sidewall. The tires could also seem brittle or inflexible.

Bulges and blisters

This is one of the biggest clues if you’re wondering when to replace tractor tires. When tires form bulges or blisters, nothing can be done to repair them. The inner plies have been damaged, and the air pressure is now forming what looks like a bubble.

These bulges can lead to the tire bursting, which can result in loss of control of the tractor or injuries from the bursting tire itself.

Frequent Air Pressure Loss

You might have noticed that your tires are no longer able to hold air, and this can be due to a couple of issues. The first is that the valve stem is worn out or damaged. The problem could also be that the bead isn’t sealing against the rim, possibly due to damage to the tire or the rim.

Poor traction

This is the crux of the issue with worn treads and lugs. Once they wear away, traction diminishes. The hardening of the rubber contributes to this as well.

If you’re using a modern tractor, it may display wheel slip information. This data will tell you when to replace tractor tires, as tires with more than 12% slippage are likely at the end of their lifespan.

How Long Do Tractor Tires Typically Last?

Tractor tires are quite robust, but even with their sturdy sidewalls and durable rubber, they won’t last forever. As for when to replace tractor tires past a certain age, use these rules of thumb:

  • Radial agriculture tires withstand between 3,000 and 5,000 hours of use.
  • Bias ply agriculture tires withstand between 2,000 and 3,000 hours of use.
  • Regardless of use, agriculture tires last 3 to 6 years

These lifespans aren’t set in stone, however. Care and storage will greatly affect the longevity of your tires. Several factors will affect the operational life of your tires, and some tips can help you maintain them.

Sunlight

UV rays will cause tire rubber to harden and degrade. Storing your tractors and tires indoors will keep them from getting too much sun exposure.

Proper Inflation

The right air pressure is crucial. Too low and the tires will experience premature tread wear and sidewall damage. Too much and the tires can burst. You’ll know when to replace tractor tires because they can no longer maintain the right pressure.

Temperature Extremes

Both extreme cold and extreme heat are hard on tires. If you can, store your tires in a temperature-controlled environment.

Cleanliness

Dirt, debris, brake dust, and other contaminants can eat away at your tires. Clean them with soap and water when putting them into storage.

Speed

Excess speed puts stress on the tires that they weren’t designed to handle. Heat will build up, breaking down the interior plies and the rubber, which can lead to a sudden failure.

Loads

Too much weight can severely damage or burst a tire. The load ratings will indicate how much weight a tire can take.

Can I Repair a Tractor Tire Instead of Replace It?

Learning when to replace tractor tires means also learning when not to replace them. They are serious investments, so if you can replace them, it can be a great way to extend their lifespans and save money.

First, you’ll need to inspect the tire to see if it can be repaired. If the tire is torn too near the bead on the sidewall, there’s no patching it. Similarly, tears in the casing right above the tire bead at the level of the ply indicate the entire casing is compromised.

When your tires have cuts on the upper area of the sidewalls or the treads, you’ll likely be able to repair them. Tears and cuts must be sliced off and sanded smooth, then patched with new hot rubber. Once the rubber cools, it will need to be sanded again to finish the repair.

If your tire has a puncture, you may be able to use a patch to stop the leak. Whether the damage is extensive and requires new hot rubber or just a patch, deflate the tire and remove it from the rim to perform the work.

Remember, the question is always when to replace tractor tires, not a single tire. Don’t replace only one tire unless the other ones are in new condition. All your tires should have the same level of wear or else there will be traction issues, which will not only compromise handling but cause premature wear on drive line components.

Why Buy Tractor Tires From Us?

Tires4That has decades of expertise to help you find the right tires for your tractor! Remember, it’s not enough to know when to replace tractor tires; it’s also knowing the best place to find new ones. Check out our extensive selection of tractor tires, and if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact Tires4That!

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