Radial Tires Reduce Tracking Problems and Cut Maintenance Costs

Is it time to consider an alternative to standard bias ply pivot tires?

“If you’re looking for ways to reduce tracking and cut maintenance costs, you might want to consider going with radial tires,” said Christopher Higgins, Zimmatic Global Product Manager at Lindsay Corporation. “Radials are standard on other types of farm equipment and they’re becoming more common on pivots, too. While they cost a bit more than a bias ply tire, the benefits far outweigh the additional cost.”

The difference, Higgins said, starts with the tires’ construction. 

“Radial tires have a wider, flatter profile than bias ply pivot tires, which means more surface contact area in the wheel track and better flotation,” he said. “There typically are fewer rutting and wheel track depth issues as the season progresses.”

Other benefits include:

• Wheel tracks left by radial tires are flatter and wider, making them much easier for equipment to drive over. 

• Radials generally run at much lower air pressure (15-17 psi) than bias ply pivot tires. They have strong, flexible sidewalls that can support the load of the pivot – even at these lower air pressures. This allows more contact area and increased traction in difficult conditions.

• Radial tires provide the most compliant tracking and smoothest rolling characteristics of any pivot tracking option, leading to less torque being transmitted back into your pivot driveline and tower span structures.

• With rugged construction, radials are about 80 percent more resistant to cuts and penetrations in the tread area than bias ply tires.

• If a tread face or puncture does occur, a radial tire is much more likely to be repaired and put back into service.

• Radials have a much tighter bead to rim spec than bias ply tires, which reduces the change for “pinch flats” and loss of the bead/rim seal in difficult terrain – especially at lower tire pressure levels.

The tubeless radial wheelsets come with an 8-year prorated warranty and are available in 12.4” x 38”, 14.9” x 24” and 11.2” x 24” sizes. 

For more information, talk to your local Zimmatic dealer or visit www.zimmatic.com.