Understanding Tractor Tire Tread Terminology
Tractors are used for a variety of tasks and work in all types of terrain—from farming and landscaping to snow removal and maintaining small acreages. Helping tractors maximize their efficiency and productivity are tires featuring different types of tread, each uniquely engineered to deliver optimal performance in particular applications and conditions.
Why Choose an Application-Specific Tire Tread?
There are numerous reasons to choose an application-specific tire. For example, they can improve the performance of your tractor by providing it with the attributes you value most, such as traction, ride quality, fuel efficiency, and impact on the ground. Another great reason to choose application-specific tires is that matching the tire tread to the terrain in which it will operate is a simple way to increase tire life.
R-1/R-1W (Ag) Tires
R-1/R-1W tires are also known as agricultural or ag tires. As their name implies, they’re commonly found on the farm. R-1/R-1W tires feature a deep bar-lug tread with angles between 23 and 45 degrees (or curved lugs that combine two angles to get the best of both worlds). These tires excel on soft surfaces—like fields of corn, soybeans, and wheat—delivering superb traction, self cleaning, and reliable performance when working on rough, uneven terrain.
The “W” in R-1W tires stands for “wet,” which, not coincidentally is where they excel. R-1W tires feature a 20% deeper bar-lug tread pattern than that of R-1 tires, which makes them ideal for use in heavy, wet, and muddy soils.
R-1 and R-1W tires are available in a variety of construction types, including bias-ply options like the Alliance FarmPro II, higher-performing radials such as Alliance Agri Star II, and high-tech tires like the Alliance AgirFlex+ 354—which is able to carry 40% more load than a traditional radial at the same air pressure (or carry the same load at 40% less air pressure).