Tractor Tires
Tractor tires have a rich American history and not just for the use they were originally intended for. Can anyone else remember swinging on a tractor tire or using their inner tubes for floating the river or riding the snow? I remember standing in a tractor tire once when I was about 6 years old. I couldn't see over the rim it was that big.
There are many companies that manufacture tractor tires and this website gives you access to links and articles that will help you learn more about tractors and the tires they use. One such company began in 1931. Harvey S. Firestone dreamed of putting the American farmer on rubber. Up until this time farmers would use sharp-flanged steel wheels, which left much to be desired in the realm of comfort. Not only were the farmers jolted and jarred but so were the tractor mechanisms; throwing them out of place. The advent of the tractor tire gave farmers and their machines a smoother ride.
Tractor tires have gone through many changes as have tractors themselves. According to a study by the Agricultural Research Service the use of a certain tractor tire will be needed to minimize soil compaction. This will impact farmers who don't till their land. Compacted soil can lead to soil erosion and water runoff leaving crop roots bereft of the water they need.
In the study tractor tires with six sensors on its tread measured tire pressure on tilled and no-till soils. Since tilled soil would seem to be more uneven the fact that the tractor tire pressure was found to be less uniform on untilled clay soils was surprising. These studies on tractor tires will help manufacturers to adjust tire contact pressure and the size of the tire lugs; the raised part of the tractor tire treads. This will help the farmer's untilled soil to be less compacted and also leads to better fuel efficiency.
