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How to pick the best tractor tires? These days, there are so many choices; shoppers can quickly get confused, not knowing which one is the right option for them.
Tractor tires last for years, so it would be a good idea to spend on those with reliable quality. If you’re in a rush, take a quick look at the best 2 from my point of view:
- Best overall: MaxAuto 2 Pcs 16×6.50-8
- Best for Money: Carlisle Farm Specialist -7-14
If those items are not your choice, many options reviewed below would be worth your consideration.
*This post may have affiliate links, which means I may receive commissions if you choose to purchase through links I provide (at no extra cost to you). As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclaimer for additional details.
Top 7 Best Tractor Tires on the Market 2022
In-depth 7 Top Rated Tractor Tires Reviews with Pros & Cons
1. MaxAuto 2 Pcs 16×6.50-8 – Best Tractor Tire for Hills
Specs
- Rim Diameter: 8 inches
- Rim Width: 5.38 Inches
- Speed rating: A3
- Tire diameter: 16 inches
- Max load: 615lbs@28psi
Thanks to the Turf Tech tread, this pair of MaxAuto lawn mower tires give you better traction on a grassy surface, making them an excellent choice for hills where there are risks of slippage.
You only need a pry bar, some soap to grease up the rim. Then you can easily coax the old tires off, clean up the rims and install new valve stems to get the new tires on.
These 16-inches tires work as a perfect replacement for different kinds of lawnmower tires, garden tractor pulling tires, lawn tractor tires, and many more.
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2. MARASTAR 21446-2PK 15×6.00-6″ – Best Tractor Tires for the Money
Specs
- Rim diameter: 6 inches
- Tire width: 6.3 inches
- Tire diameter:13.9 inches
- Max load: 400 lbs. / not for highway speeds
The MARASTAR 21446-2PK tires are easy to install with a tube-type four-ply. With a 3 x 0.08’’ thick washer and an extra e-clip, this practical tire is an ideal choice for both lawns and farms of different sizes.
Its Turf Saver tread is pre-mounted on the power-coated steel wheel with a 3-inches hub length, making it easy to install.
You only need to jack up the tractor and put them on. More importantly, these tires come at an affordable price, making them a good bargain.
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3. MaxAuto ATV Tires 15×5.00-6 – Best Tractor Tires for Snow
Specs
- Section width: 120 milmeters
- Rim diameter: 6 inches
- Rim width: 3.5 inches
- Speed rating: A3
- Max load: 405lbs@20 psi
Before the flakes begin to fly, it’s always a good idea to look for the best farm tractors tires for snow.
They should have not only enough power but also sufficient tread to provide adequate traction on icy surfaces. Do not ignore the MaxAuto ATV Tires, as they really dig in and help clean the snow.
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4. MaxAuto 2PCS 23×10.50-12 – Best Tractor Tire for Mud Truck
Specs
- Section width: 260 Millimeters
- Rim diameter: 12 Inches
- Rim width: 8.5 inches
- Speed rating: A2
- Max load: 1760lb@32psi
Many customers love this pair of MaxAuto AG Tires for their excellent performance in hilly and sloped terrain. If your current turf tire slips on the steep sections of your lawn, these tires will undoubtedly help you drive through that area.
They can be a little bumpy on hard work. However, these tires come with robust tread lugs, offer excellent stability and support on the muddy lot, and hardly get stuck.
Better yet, they provide unsurpassed traction when mowing inclines.
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5. SUNROAD 26×12.00-12 – Best for Thorns
Specs
- Rim diameter: 12 inches
- Rim width: 12 inches
- Speed rating: B
- Tire diameter: 26 Inches
- Max load: 2250LBS@20psi
If you asked us how to choose the best lawn tractor tires, we would recommend picking those with a tread design that provides superior grip and pull for heavy loads.
Additionally, the type of rubber is also an essential factor contributing to the quality of the tire. While all tubes are made from rubber, you should pick those with at least four-ply rubber.
The SUNROAD Lawn Garden Tractor Agricultural Tires are such a pair of tires, as they meet these standards of high-performing lawn tractor tires.
They’re made of carefully selected materials, making them solid and durable to use. Their four-ply rated nylon construction ensures that they can resist punctures and abrasions, giving you strong tires to work on even the roughest terrain.
Also, their additional lugs are made to protect the rim and sidewall, giving you durable tires that have stood the test of time.
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6. MaxAuto 2 Pcs 16×6.50-8 – Best Front Tractor Tires
Specs
- Rim diameter: 8 Inches
- Rim width: 5.375 inches
- Speed rating:A3
- Tire diameter: 16 Inches
- Max load: 615lbs@28psi
With an optimized profile design and material distribution of parts, the MaxAuto 16×6.50-8 offers good tire handling performance and ride comfort on any terrain.
Its single-wound hexagonal bed ring design provides coefficient integrity for the tire bead area while increasing the driving stability after long running.
Besides, this pair of lawn and garden tires are made from high wear-resistant rubber, offering a rigid transformation of the bead parts.
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7. Carlisle Paddles Farm Specialist – 7 -14 – Best Tractor Tires for Sand
Specs
- Rim Diameter: 14 inches
- Rim width: 14 inches
- Speed rating: R
- Tire diameter: 27 inches
- Max load: 1100lbs@36psi
Carlisle is a well-known name in the market for any type of tire, and this brand deserves this reputation. They always produce high-quality and reliable tires, and this affordable yet well-made tire is no different.
The Carlisle Farm Specialist Tractor Tire is, true to its name, not designed for a general-purpose tire for multiple applications.
It has a long bar and a slim design, providing excellent grip. Besides, its 6-ply design gives them ultimate strength and durability. This tire is undoubtedly a good value for the money.
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Tractor Tires classifications
R-1 Tires
R-1 tires are considered the standard tires for agricultural tractors. They have a large tread area and wide spacing lugs for maximum traction on muddy or snowy terrain without slipping.
They are narrower than other tires, and this construction is mainly for off-road use, making them unsuitable for road surfaces or lawns. So if you own grass fields, consider not using these tires on your tractor as they can destroy your yard.
R-1W Tires
The R-1W is a variant of the R-1 tire. The “W” stands for ‘wet,’ representing the ability to move on wet terrains such as mud, clay, or soggy conditions. R-1W’s tread depth is designed with 20%-25% deeper than the R-1 tire.
Not only can they operate the same on dry ground, but they can also provide better performance when completing tasks over rugged terrain.
R-2 Tires
R-2 Tire is another variant of R-1 Tire, but it has one distinct difference from R-1. An R-2 tire has a larger spike depth, so it is only used in certain wet conditions, such as standing water in rice fields.
With that structure, the R-2 Tire will not provide comparable performance as other tires. Unless you are farming in extremely wet conditions, you should consider choosing other suitable tires for your tractor.
R3 Tires
R3 tires are also known as “grass tires” due to their unique features. Designed to minimize damage as much as possible, the tread depth on the R3 is much shallower than previous models, and the lugs are close together for a smoother ride on the road.
If you are taking care of a lawn field or mowing grass, then the R3 tire is the right choice. However, be aware that R3 tires are not suitable for wet conditions (mud, snow, etc.) because they can cause your tractor to spin and reduce performance.
R-4 Tires
R-4 tires are a mix of R-1 and R-3 in terms of tread depth. This makes them a very suitable choice as they work well in several conditions.
R-4 is a vast and durable tire designed primarily for hard surfaces such as pavement and gravel. They don’t wear down fast and have sturdy sidewalls that can withstand a lot of weight.
If you need to work on the above conditions, the R-4 tires are perfect for your tractor.
F-1 Series Tires
They are usually fitted on a non-assisted front axle that does not require any reciprocating movement but is only used for side-to-side steering. The F-1 single-sided tire helps your tractor penetrate deep into the ground and creates maximum steering control.
F-2 Series Tires
The F-2 is the second generation of the F-1 but offers better control on hard surfaces thanks to a different ribs texture. The tri-rib F-2 tire is designed with the middle ribs raised. It helps maximize steering control as well as minimize side slip for your vehicle.
F-2M Tires
The F-2M Series is the most suitable tractor tire available for tractors used to plow the fields. They have a sturdy four-ribbed feature to provide standard grip on fields and roads.
How to choose a perfect tractor tire?
Tires are a fundamental part of your tractor for optimum performance. However, each type of tire will have a unique use, and its effectiveness will also be different. To make sure your job is at its best, here are some tips to help you choose the right tire.
Usage of your tractor
The term “tractor” is usually used to describe the vehicles used on farms. Tractors are mainly used for tilling, harrowing, planting, and similar work in the agricultural industry. With different uses and operating conditions, tractors will require other tires to ensure the best performance.
Before choosing tires for tractors, you need to consider what you want to use the tractor for? Under what conditions do you use the tractor? By answering these questions, you will be able to find the right tire for you.
Type of working surface
As we all know, tractor tires are designed to function well under certain conditions. So you need to consider what kind of terrain your tractor will encounter carefully. If you choose a tire that is not suitable for the surfaces of the landscape, you will not get the performance you want.
For example, an R3 tire will be suitable for grass terrain. In contrast, a standard R-1 tire with narrow spacing lugs works mostly well on dry ground. Or, R-1W tires are ideal for slippery and wet surfaces as they provide traction due to the rugged tread.
Construction
In all tractor tires, there are two forms of construction – bias tire and radial tire. The bias ones are cheaper and are chosen by many farmers for their convenience, while the radial ones are preferred toward their durability and overall performance.
Maintenance
To ensure that your tractor tires are used to their full capacity, you need to know their maintenance requirements. You can find the details at the point of purchase or by reading the user manual. Through this, you will know when it is time for your tires to be changed.
Tire wear is another important thing you need to pay attention to. You can test to see if the lugs of the tractor tire can push the mud backward.
Tips to know whether your tractor tires need to be replaced:
– Tires with cuts or bulges on the surface
– Tire is flat
– Tires with Dry Cracks
– Tires with Unevenly Wear
Price & Your budget
With the variety of tires and their prices on the market, you can buy tires for whatever price you want. Depending on your budget, you can completely opt for a new tire, or you can also find secondhand options for half the price.
Just keep in mind to select the correct load rating for your tractor, whether choosing the new or secondhand one. Otherwise, it may affect the maximum load of the tractor and overall tire life.
Others
Different choices for Rear tire & Front tire
For the rear tires, pay attention to the farming terrain you are operating. For example, Ag (R-1) Tires are preferred to dry farming generally because they have a traction component of lugs with an angle of usually 45 degrees or 23 degrees. Or, if you are farming on grass, R-3 tires will be the best choice as they provide the least amount of damage to the turf.
For the front tires, notice the standard of the ribs:
– The F-1 helps your tractor create maximum steering control.
– The tri-rib F-2 tire helps maximize steering control and minimize side slip
– The F-2M four-rib tire is suitable for working on hard surfaces.
– 5-rib tires have good traction and durability.
Radial tire & Bias-ply tire
Bias-ply tires are less expensive and operate at lower speeds. However, they have more durable sidewalls that prevent the tractor from hitting stumps and rocks, thus being widely used.
They have multiple layers of rubber, which are diagonally arranged from bead to grain. Due to this construction, the tread and sidewall of the tire tend to act as one unit. This creates a strong and sturdy tire that can resist damage from stumps and rocks.
What’s more, bias tires can provide excellent stability on hilly terrain.
Radial tires are more expensive but give you a smoother ride. They have longer tire life and create less grip on the ground, thereby saving fuel and improving performance.
They have two-part construction for better maneuverability. That is also the thing that makes radials tires different from bias tires.
The cord layers made from steel or fabric are designed at a 90-degree angle to the direction of travel. Furthermore, they are wrapped around the outside of the tire to create more friction.
Read More: How Fast Can a Tractor Go On the Road? Learn how fast tractors move on average in the field and on the road and see a list of the FASTEST tractors ever made!
Ply rating
A tire ply rating is an effective measure of tire strength and capacity. In other words, it shows the maximum level the tire can be inflated and its maximum load capacity.
It includes a layer numbering system that has been applied based on the durability of the tire rather than the number of physical layers. For example, we can create a modern steel belt tire with only a single layer of steel, but it is equivalent to 12 pieces of cotton cloth. The ply rating is still used in bias-ply tires and some old radial forms.
Star marking system
Usually, radial tires are evaluated using the Star marking system. This system assigns the tire’s rated inflation capacity by one (18 psi), two (24 psi), or three stars (30 psi).
Load index
The load index is a method of assessing and determining the capacity of a tire. It evaluates the tire by its size and the number of grooves it has, ensuring whether it can withstand the maximum load or not.
FAQs about Tractor Tires
1. What is the best ballast for tractor tires?
Water is the most common method used for ballasting as it is the most cost-saving. Some even choose vegetable beet juice for a more eco-friendly option, though it might not be as cheap.
Water ballasting, however, is not practical for cold areas. For this method to work where freezing is a problem. Anti-free substances, like calcium chloride, are added to the water. But the biggest disadvantage is that calcium chloride is highly corrosive.
For tractors more than 150HP, with bigger tires, it is highly recommended to go for steel weight ballasting.
Compared to water ballasting, it is easier to balance your tracker’s front and back because you can easily adjust the weight added. The most common methods are suitcase weight, wheel weight, or rock carrier.
Their drawback? Probably cost and installation labor.
2. What does SL mean on tractor tires?
SL on tires means Standard Load. When inflated, a typical SL tire can load 35 psi (pound per square inch) at maximum. These are tires designed to withstand not-too-heavy loads and usually are more fuel-efficient.
3. What does R4 mean on tractor tires?
R4 tires are also called industrial tires. In terms of design, these are wider in shape. This feature makes them very durable on hard surfaces like pavement or gravel.
R4 tires are best used for loading heavy stuff on hard ground, specifically as a front-end loader.
4. What is the difference between R1 and R4 tractor tires?
R1 is an agricultural tire while R4 refers to be used in industry. The R1 tire has a slightly deeper tread than the R4 tire.
The R1 tire is more aggressive in terms of functioning and can deliver powerful traction on soil or farming land. Meanwhile, the R4 tire offers less traction and can perform the best on hard ground with a heavier load.
5. What are the different types of tractor tires?
There are mainly three types of tractor tires: R1, R3, and R4. Relatively, they refer to designated tires to be used: on farmland – agricultural, on golf courses, and construction sites – industrial.
The R1 tire is the most aggressive of the three. Because R1 tires can create a great disturbance on the ground, they are best to use on farming soil, from tough to soft. In terms of appearance, it has the deepest tread.
The R3 tire is designed with a different pattern so that it won’t damage the surface. Therefore, it is commonly seen in vehicles at golf courses, airports, roadside, etc. The tread of the R3 tire is only as half as the R1.
The widest tire of all the above is the R4. It is highly effective in carrying heavy loads and is very durable on hard surfaces. That is why the R4 tire is mainly used for construction or industrial purposes.
6. How do you size a tractor tire?
To know the size of your tractor, you need to know 2 figures: width and diameter. Both of these measurements should be listed on the sidewall of the tire, but you can still measure it by hand.
For the width, it is best to have a pair of calipers. This tool allows you to slide down the tire to take the maximum width. You need to remove all the weight off for the tire to be the most accurate.
Next is the diameter, which can be done very easily. Take a long string and wrap it around the tire. Take how long the string is and then divide the number by 3.14. The result will be the diameter of your tire.
Final words,
Looking for the best tractor tires can be a real challenge. However, as long as you pick those with durable beads, your tire is sturdy enough to perform under challenging circumstances like muddy and murky areas.
Even though all seven tires reviewed above were carefully selected, the first option – the MaxAuto 2 Pcs 16×6.50-8 – is my best choice for its outstanding durability and flexibility.
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