An In-Depth Look at AG Tire Maintenance

In this exclusive Q&A, Alan Eskow, BKT USA Inc. vice president, discusses the critical nature of proper ag tire maintenance.

MTD: How important is proper tire maintenance to help ensure that end users get the most out of the ag tires?

Eskow: Proper tire maintenance is crucial to maximize the lifespan and performance of agricultural tires. By addressing any potential issues before they occur, your end users can minimize costs and downtime, increase efficiency and contribute to safer operations. All of these will help keep your customer’s farming processes running smoothly, even during the busiest times of the year.

To start, maintaining tires is a simple and impactful way to minimize long-term costs. Minor issues can be caught and rectified before they escalate into a major – and expensive - problem. Not only that, but the condition of the tires can directly impact traction, fuel efficiency, soil compaction and overall productivity. These are all things that contribute to improved crop production and cost savings.

In addition, regular checks and maintenance of your customer’s agricultural tires are vital in ensuring the safe operation of their farming equipment. Neglected tires can lead to accidents like tire blowouts or equipment rollovers - potentially causing serious injuries, damage to machinery, lost time at work and, in some cases, permanent disability. Regular maintenance of tires is one step that can be taken to stay safe on the farm, creating a better work environment for everyone.

Delays due to tire-related issues can disrupt your end user’s farming processes significantly, so it is important to practice proper tire maintenance.

MTD: What are some things ag tire dealers can do to help maintain their customers' tires and help their customers achieve an optimal return on investment?

Eskow: When tires need to be replaced, it is important to select tires that are best for the application it is being used in. Depending on the type of crop, different compounds may be needed to ensure an ultimate return on investment. What works well and improves the application in one area may cause problems and failures in another.

If your customer’s crop is filled with hard stalks and stubble, be sure to help them choose tires with special compounds designed to prevent damage and better handle the abuse. If soil compaction and increased load weights are a concern, look for tires that feature IF or VF technology. It is important to learn which tires are best for the crops and equipment being used.

Once your customers have their new tires and are ready to go, there are some pieces of advice that you can give them to help make sure they maximize the life of their tires.

Be sure to check the wheels to make sure the lug nuts are tightened to the correct specifications. Check all of the bolts for the wheel weights to ensure that they are on tight. Tires and wheels should be cleaned of mud, sticks and rocks from the lugs and make sure there is no dirt left on the rims and weights. End users should be storing the equipment free of debris so that it is ready for use.

Instruct your customers, if possible, to store equipment in a cool, dry place to keep the sun, wind, rain and snow from weathering the tractor and tires. Ozone in the air and excessive sunlight can cause the rubber in the tires to age prematurely, decreasing the maximum life and performance. It is also best to keep rubber products away from electric motors, oils, fuel, and resins, as these can also damage the rubber compounds, causing them to deteriorate over time. If the equipment will be sitting for several months at a time, it is best not to park the tires on rocks or asphalt, as they can damage them and cause loss of air pressure. If a tractor must be left outside, the tires should be covered with a tarpaulin to avoid contact with ultraviolet rays and inclement weather.

For storage, it is important that tires are inflated to the maximum inflation pressure that the manufacturer recommends. Air temperatures can cause air pressures to move up and down during the months when the equipment is not in use. In the cold weather, air pressures tend to decrease and can cause the tires to go flat if they are not inflated enough. This can lead to the sidewalls being damaged from the rim sitting on them. Suggest that your customers check tire pressure periodically while the equipment is being stored. After storage, the air pressures need to be reset to the recommended pressures for the weight carrying capacity of the tractor and equipment. This will decrease the chance of tire damage and minimize soil compaction in the fields.

As tires are used more and more, they should be checked often for visible damage including cracks, cuts, bulges, or leaks. If there is any damage or possibility for failure, this gives time to replace or repair tires before they are needed again. It is also important to check tread depth to be sure that the tire has more than 20-25% tread for maximum performance. Although there is no cut and dry way to determine when it is time to replace tires based on tread depth, as tire lugs wear down, they can start to slip excessively, thus increasing fuel costs and time because of the increased strain on the machinery. If there is any possibility for failure, it is recommended to replace the tires before placing them in use.