Depending on the equipment design or need, rims are made in various widths to allow the tire to drive or steer under load.
The key to tire performance is the capability of the air in the tire to suspend the load and allow the tire to press the tire footprint into the surface without slipping or damaging crops.
As OEMs continue to improve productivity via the evolution of larger machinery, tire sizes changed to meet the demand for more load, speed, and traction. To see how, farmers and growers can use aspect ratio to determine the optimal width for their tires.
What is Aspect Ratio?
Tires must conform to international standards when it comes to sizing. Depending on their construction, tires are grouped by aspect ratio or families of sizes.
The width and diameter of a tire will determine the size of the sidewall on the wheel or rim. The size of the tire determines the size of the air chamber.
What Aspect Ratio Means for Tire Performance
As tires grow in aspect ratio or width, their tire radius and diameter remain almost the same.
However, the larger tire delivers a wider footprint (Gross Flat Plate), improving flotation and increasing traction. Due to their size, these tires have a larger air chamber that provides increased load carrying capacity.
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Below, we look at four tires that have the same outer diameter and proposed rim or wheel. The table details a comparison in terms of their geometry (width & diameter), aspect ratio, load carrying capability, sidewall radius and footprint:
What to Know Before Using Wider Tires
Wider tires ultimately deliver improved traction, fuel efficiency, and productivity. But there are some key things to keep in mind:
- Farmers and growers that change to a wider tire should ensure that the equipment has the recommended wheel widths to support the tire size.
- Tire manufacturers typically offer a recommended wheel width with acceptable alternative wheels or rim widths.
Ultimately, a tire is a compromise between size, materials, and air working together to deliver the best possible performance. For any farmer or grower, selecting the right wheel and tire combination will maximize equipment performance by optimizing load carrying capability and delivering the power to plow, plant, harvest, or spray his crops.
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