To achieve better performance and productivity, agriculture is constantly evolving.
In the last two decades, the agricultural industry adopted radial tires over bias ply. Year after year, particularly in high-horsepower machinery like tractors, floaters, sprayers, and combine harvesters, tire technology continues to improve and spread to other farm tire markets.
Implement Tire Market Outlook
The need for greater productivity drove fueled the movement to adopt radial tire technology despite a higher price tag.
Farm equipment that primarily uses smaller implement tires from 14” up to 18” are trending in this direction. The growing use of radial tires on both towed implements and tractors provides greater traction, improved productivity, fuel savings, and lower soil compaction.
When comparing farm implement tires in the agricultural industry, we find that each tread design has unique features depending on function, tread depth, and soil working conditions. In North America, we see the following tire types or demand for implement tires:
| Type | Tread | NA Market Demand |
| I-1 | Rib Tread | 85% |
| I-2 | Improved Traction Ribs | 5% |
| I-3 | Traction Tread | 10% |
Popular sizes for the Implement I-1 Rib Tread pattern include:
| Size | Tread Type | NA Market Demand |
| 11L-15 | I-1 Rib Tread | 65% |
| 9.5L-15 | I-1 Rib Tread | 15% |
| 12.5L-15 | I-1 Rib Tread | 10% |
Currently, the radial implement tire market represents about 10% of the North American total demand. However, that number grows rapidly year over year as more farmers and growers adopt radial agriculture tires.
In Europe, more farmers and growers migrate from bias ply flotation sizes to radial flotation sizes in the larger diameter 22.5,” 26.5”, and 30.5” rim seats to meet the heavier, high speed farm trailer or cargo hauler applications.
The Impact of VF Tire Technology
Of course, tire improvement didn’t stop at radial tires, they continued to evolve for increasing demand.
IF and VF technology became the new standard in radial farm tires. This technology allows new radial implement tires to increase load capacity 20% to 40% (respectively) more at standard inflation pressures.
Inversely, farmers and growers can reduce soil compaction by reducing inflation pressure between -20% up to -40%. The lower pressure improves the tread’s surface contact while increasing flotation and delivering excellent traction.
In most instances, VF radial tires at standard inflation pressures carry heavy loads on newer, larger implements. This allows farmers or growers to improve farm equipment productivity without compromising soil conditions.
Steel Construction and Enhanced Durability
In most cases, both steel belts and steel casings are used enhance the footprint and stabilize heavy loads on the road or in the field. The row crop applications like sprayers, spreaders and farm trailers make up the majority of the agricultural implement tire market.
The largest shift in technology is the move from bias ply tires to radial steel belted I-3 flotation tires that deliver superior traction using both closed and open shoulder designs.
In addition, there is a growing need for radial farm tires to have more load capacity and D-rated heat-dissipating rubber compounds capable of speeds up to 40 mph (65 kph). The transition to D-rated tires is being driven by the faster road speeds required to transport farm equipment.
As tractors continue increase horsepower, we expect radial agriculture tire sizes and VF technology to evolve for greater load capacity and durability for more powerful farm equipment.
Implement Ag Tire Examples
There are many great implement tire options in the market, and farmers and growers are adopting these tires for their operations when they require high load capacity, consistent performance, and reliable durability.
Below are two great examples of implement ag tires. As you can see, both implement tires exhibit high flotation, steel-powered durability, and excellent traction in a variety of soils.
The FlotXtra features a closed shoulder and non-directional design while the AgilXtra features an open shoulder and improved self-cleaning tread design. Covered under our extensive warranty, Our FlotXtra and AgilXtra product offerings deliver high load capacity and high speed requirements for spreaders, sprayers, farm trailers, and more.
