Sprayer Tires 101: What You Need to Know

There are several applications where sprayers are used that can require different tires.

In the spring, sprayers are used preemergence (before planting) to spray herbicides and pesticides. “In preemergence spraying, wider tires are used to minimize soil compaction, flotation, and gain better traction,” says Dave Paulk, manager, field technical services, BKT USA Inc. “After crops are planted, users must go back to narrower tires to fit between the rows of crops (corn, soybeans, etc.).

BKT’s AGRIMAX SPARGO VF380/90R46 and VF380/105R50 “are two popular sizes on sprayers used after planting,” he adds. “Most tires used for spraying applications are R-1 or R-1W, although hybrids are being used more. VF tires are required for the larger self-propelled sprayers. Some IF and standard tires are used on smaller sprayers or pull-behind sprayers.

“Among the most popular BKT’s tires for sprayer and row crop applications is AGRIMAX SPARGO, Thanks to its VF technology, this tire provides higher load capacity at standard pressure. Also the strong casing and an increased number of lugs ensure outstanding durability along with strong stability both in the fields and during road transfers.”

The AGRIMAX SPARGO is the most commonly used sprayer tire that BKT offers, says Paulk. “It’s an R-1 tire with a wider lug that gives good stability on the highway and the field as well as good traction. It’s (also) a VF rated tire to carry heavy loads and is rated at speeds of up to 40 mph.”

Another BKT tire for sprayers is the Spargo SB, which “is steel-belted and VF rated. This is an R-1W tire with steel belts. The steel belts provide puncture resistance and integrity of the casing. This tire is made with polyester plies to give a better ride. It is rated at 40 mph.

“The AGRIMAX RT 765 and AGRIMAX RT 855 are standard tires and are sometimes used on pull-behind sprayers where IF and VF are not required. These are rated at 30 mph.

Sprayers place several distinct performance demands on tires, according to Paulk. “Sprayers are on the road a good deal, moving between fields or from the shop or co-op to the field. This causes road wear that shortens the life of the tire. While farm/sprayer tires are designed to operate at higher speeds, asphalt and concrete surfaces lead to faster tread wear.

“Sprayers are heavy, especially when loaded, and must have tires that can handle the weight. Tires must have the load-carrying capacity to minimize tire failures from sidewall separations. This is a reason that VF tires should be used on self-propelled sprayers since they are made to carry higher loads. Self-propelled sprayers can run at higher speeds than most tractors - up to 40 mph - and must have a tire that can handle the high speeds and the loads they carry. Even at field speed and loaded, they are very heavy. VF tires are rated to carry heavy loads and at faster speeds.”