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Adding upgrades to planters might require a tire change

A farm equipment tire expert says upgrading planting equipment might mean upgrading the tires, too.  Brad Harris with Firestone AG tells Brownfield producers should take a close look at planters and drills if they’re adding additional aftermarket tools over the winter.  “Maybe row cleaners or hydraulic downforce that adds extra weight to the tires, so we may be at that maximum capacity of some of the older bias tires that may be a standard feature on those planters.”

Harris says many implements including planters already come close to the safe weight limits of bias ply tires before adding new equipment, and some of the new add-on tools add more than 200 pounds per row.  Harris says switching to ag radial tires allows more weight on the same tire pressure more safely.  “Maintaining that inflation pressure allows us to minimize the soil compaction, but we’re able to carry that load so we don’t have a tire problem as we’re transporting up and down the road.”

Harris says an over-inflated bias ply tire is most likely to fail when on the road because it is moving faster and building up heat in an already-stressed tire.

He recommends evaluating and changing tires now because tire suppliers tend to get very busy during planting season.

Brad Harris from Firestone AG discusses tires with Brownfield’s Larry Lee.