March 19, 2024

Compaction, plant strength lead to tractor tire innovations

Co-op rep says tougher tires needed around tougher corn stalks

SULLY — There are no signs on Iowa corn fields warning farmers “Do not back up — severe tire damage.”

However, as resilient as some corn plants have become, there might as well be such warning signs on corn fields. The sharp, strong stubble left behind in harvested fields that are growing today’s resilient corn is one of a few factors driving innovations in the tractor tire industry, according to Greg Conard, Parts and Service Operations Manager for Key Co-op’s NAPA Auto Parts store in Sully.

“The plants that can endure pesticides and all sorts of weather conditions leave tough, sharp points behind in the fields," Conard said. "Manufacturers are trying to create tires that can resist that kind of puncturing.”

Conard said Titan is perhaps the only tire manufacturer that has made significant headway in addressing the issue. Titan, formerly known as Titan Wheel, purchased the farm tire business of Goodyear in 2005 and continues manufacturing Goodyear agricultural tires under license.

He said Titan has begun to sell tires that feature an additive to the rubber compound already used for tractor tire treads. The additive makes the tires harder and more puncture-resistant, deflecting or breaking off the sharp stubble tractors must sometimes roll over.

Of course, Conard said, stronger tires are only part of the solution, as having tires that are well-fitted for a particular farm or function is important as well. He said manufacturer representatives will often come out to a farm and make sure a tractor has the proper tires, and that a tractor is set up properly for its application.

“Tractors are more powerful than ever before and are asked to do as much work as ever,” Conard said.

A recent article from agriculture.com quotes Titan product engineering staff, who remind farmers that rubber is a living, breathing substance that becomes harder and tougher over time, so the newest tires might not be suitable on the sharpest-stubble fields. Width is important as well; tires should spend most of their lives between corn rows, minimizing the stubble underneath.

Another issue is compaction. Heavy tractors pack down soil and affect its crop viability, so tires are being produced that even out the compaction, and reduce the “bounce” to a tractor’s ride, Conard said.

Tires are expensive, he said, ranging from $500 to about $9,000, depending on a number of variables. That’s why farmers are advised to choose and set up tractors and tractor parts carefully, and it’s why services such as Key Co-op’s tire repair are in high demand.

“It isn’t cheap to have someone come out to a farm and fix a tire — especially at night, or on a holiday,” Conard said. “Not many places have invested in the equipment (or staff) needed to do those kinds of repairs. But it’s still cheaper than replacing, say, a $9,000 tire.”

Conard pointed out a tire on hand in Sully that had been damaged beyond repair. The tire, which was new and in good condition, had a gouge or rip along the sidewall, and a patch wouldn’t fit behind it, as the damage was too close to the inside bead to fit a patch properly.

“You see why we attempt to make a fix,” Conard said.

Conard said the price of tires has remained high worldwide because tires are, at least in terms of final assembly, still made by hand.

“No one has been able to figure out how to automate the whole process yet,” he said.

Contact Jason W. Brooks at 641-792-3121 ext. 6532 or jbrooks@newtondailynews.com