Bridgestone Team
Regular maintenance of your farm equipment should include an inspection of your tires, and knowing when to replace them is crucial to preventing costly downtime during the season. If your tires are showing their age or the tread is significantly worn, they can start to impact how well your tractor performs in the field. In most soil conditions, worn out tires can lead to a higher slip rate, resulting in excess fuel use and more time spent working.
These are three key ways to know if you should replace your tires.
Spotting warning signs early helps you prevent breakdowns, avoid safety risks, and cut unnecessary fuel costs.
Ignoring exposed body plies and belts, low air pressure, and worn tire tread, even for a short time, can lead to downtime and higher operating costs. Each indicator is outlined below in more detail.
Agricultural tires face tough conditions that can cause cuts and tears on the outer rubber. If the damage doesn’t reach the body plies or belts, you can keep using the tire with caution. But once a cut exposes these structural materials, the tire must be replaced. The plies and belts give strength to keep pressure contained—if they’re compromised, the tire can fail unexpectedly. Inspect sidewalls and tread areas regularly; if you spot exposed plies or belts, replace the tire right away.
Weekly Visual Inspection Checklist:
Walk around all tires and check both sidewalls and tread surfaces.
Look for cuts, gashes, or anything embedded in the rubber.
Watch for fabric (plies) or metallic belts poking through.
Light surface cuts (not showing inner fabric or metal) can be monitored, but use caution.
If you find exposed body plies or belts, document the spot and plan for immediate replacement.
For minor cuts, you can temporarily seal them using vulcanizing patches or boot kits to finish urgent work—but don’t rely on these for long-term use. Photos or diagrams are also helpful for comparing safe surface scratches vs. deeper injuries revealing internal materials—those mean replacement is needed.
Additionally, always keep a record of tire damage and notify your equipment manager or schedule service soon. What really matters here is safety and preventing unexpected downtime.
Ag tires take a beating from field stubble and can sometimes run into sharp debris like hidden fenceposts or antlers. If you notice a slow leak—especially if it’s not coming from the valve stem—punctures could be to blame. Driving on an under-inflated tire (even for a short while) can damage the body plies and make the tire unsafe and unusable.
|
Your tire’s tread transfers the power from your tractor to the ground. Once tread drops below 20% of its original depth, traction suffers—especially in wet conditions. More slipping means jobs take longer and you burn more fuel.
Issues such as improper ballast, axle misalignment, or incorrect dual spacing can cause uneven tire wear. Regular adjustments and periodic rotations can help prevent these problems. For some tractors, rotating the front tires to the rear can even out wear and extend the life of the tires. Always follow the manufacturer's recommendations. |
Good tire maintenance means better performance, less downtime, and more efficient days in the field. Firestone’s 7 Step Check List will help you inspect your tires and decide if it’s time to replace. If you’re unsure which tire to pick next, check out our ag tire primer for more guidance.
Helpful Tools: Firestone Load & Pressure Calculator Cost-Benefit Comparison: Standard Ag Tire: Lower upfront cost and a shorter life—but may mean higher fuel use down the line. |
What others are reading