🚜🌾 Agricultural
Tire Size Calculator

Calculate optimal agricultural tire sizes with focus on traction, flotation, ply ratings, and minimizing soil compaction for farm operations.

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R1 Tractor
Row Crop
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Ply Rating
12-16 Ply
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Soil Protection
IF/VF Tech

Enter Tire Size

💡 Tip: Tire size format is Width/AspectRatio R WheelDiameter
Example: 235/45R18

Enter tire size to see visualization

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Agricultural-Specific Requirements

Agricultural tires require: Ply rating matched to tractor weight (12-16 ply typical), proper PSI for soil type (12-23 PSI field, 26-35 PSI road), R1 or R1W tread for row crops, and consideration of IF/VF technology for soil compaction reduction in valuable cropland.

🚜🌾 Agricultural Tire Essentials

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Metric vs Imperial Ag Sizing

Metric: 480/80R46 (width mm/aspect%/rim"). Imperial: 18.4R46 (width inches/rim"). Metric example: 480/80R46 = 480mm wide, 80% aspect, 46" rim. Imperial: 18.4R46 = 18.4" wide, 46" rim. Modern tractors use metric. Older equipment uses imperial. R1 = standard lug, R1W = wide lug, R2 = rice/cane, R3 = turf, R4 = industrial.

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Ply Rating & Load Capacity

Agricultural tires use high ply ratings: 6-ply (light utility), 8-ply (compact tractors), 10-12 ply (mid-size), 14-16 ply (large row-crop), 18-20 ply (heavy combines). Each ply rating handles ~500-700 lbs more. Example: 480/80R46 16-ply carries 10,000 lbs at 23 PSI. Higher ply = heavier duty, more puncture resistance.

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Soil Compaction Management

Soil compaction reduces yields 10-30%. Minimize by: Larger diameter tires (distribute weight), lower PSI (wider footprint), IF/VF tires (Increased/Very Increased Flexion). Standard: 23 PSI. IF: same load at 20 PSI. VF: same load at 15 PSI. VF tires reduce compaction 25-40% but cost 2x more. Critical for wet soil.

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R1 vs R1W vs R2 Tire Types

R1 (Standard Lug): 23° lug angle, general purpose, best traction/wear balance. R1W (Wide Lug): 45° lug angle, 10-15% more traction, better self-cleaning, for heavy draft. R2 (Rice/Cane): paddle-style lugs, floatation in mud/water. R3 (Turf): minimal tread, for lawns. R4 (Industrial): block tread, loader/backhoe use.

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Tire Pressure & Ballast

Ag tire pressure: 10-35 PSI (lower than automotive). Match pressure to load: Light work 12-15 PSI, Field work 18-23 PSI, Road transport 26-35 PSI. Ballast (wheel weights, calcium chloride) adds traction. Liquid ballast: 75% fill = 400-600 lbs per tire. Check pressure weekly - varies with temperature and load.

Tire Strategy for Agriculture

Standard to IF Technology

Reduce soil compaction 15-20%

Recommended Tire
Michelin AxioBib 2 or BKT Agrimax
Benefits:
  • ✓Same load, 3 PSI lower pressure
  • ✓15-20% less compaction
  • ✓Better traction in wet soil
  • ✓Improved flotation
Trade-offs:
  • •30% higher cost
  • •Limited availability
  • •$1,500-2,000/tire

Standard to VF Technology

Maximum compaction reduction

Recommended Tire
Michelin AxioBib IF/VF or Trelleborg TM3000
Benefits:
  • ✓Same load, 8 PSI lower pressure
  • ✓25-40% less compaction
  • ✓Carry 40% more at same PSI
  • ✓Yield protection
Trade-offs:
  • •2x cost of standard
  • •$2,000-3,000/tire
  • •Requires VF-compatible rims

R1 to R1W Wide Lug

Better traction for heavy draft

Recommended Tire
Firestone Radial All Traction 23° R1W
Benefits:
  • ✓10-15% more traction
  • ✓Better self-cleaning
  • ✓Improved hillside stability
Trade-offs:
  • •Faster road wear
  • •5-10% rougher ride
  • •20% higher cost

Top Agricultural Tire Brands

Michelin

AxioBib 2 / IF/VF
$$$$
Premium R1
•IF/VF technology
•Ultraflex casing
•5+ year warranty
•Industry-leading
Available in 480/80R46, 520/85R42, 620/70R42 sizes

BKT

Agrimax RT 855
$$
Value R1
•Budget-friendly
•Good traction
•Durable casing
•Excellent value
Available in 380/85R24, 460/85R34, 480/80R46 sizes

Firestone

Radial All Traction 23°
$$$
R1 Standard
•23° lug design
•Proven reliability
•Good tread life
•Wide availability
Available in 380/85R28, 420/85R30, 480/80R46 sizes

Trelleborg

TM3000
$$$$
Premium VF
•VF technology
•ProgressiveTraction
•Soil protection
•High load capacity
Available in 480/80R46 VF, 540/65R38 VF sizes

Goodyear

Optitrac R+ R1W
$$$
R1W Wide Lug
•45° wide lugs
•MaxiFlection tech
•Improved traction
•Self-cleaning
Available in 380/85R24, 460/85R34, 480/80R46 sizes

Official Agricultural Tractor OEM Tire Specifications

ModelYearFrontRearPly RatingPressure
John Deere
5075E Utility
2024380/85R24 R1460/85R34 R116-ply23/20 PSI
Case IH
Farmall 75C
2024360/70R24 R1420/85R34 R114-ply23/20 PSI
John Deere
8R 370 (Large)
2024480/80R50 R1W620/70R42 R1W18-ply23/20 PSI
🚜 Important: Agricultural tires prioritize soil protection. Use IF/VF technology for valuable cropland to reduce compaction 25-40%.

Agricultural Tire FAQs

How to read agricultural tire sizes?
Metric: 480/80R46 = 480mm width, 80% aspect ratio, Radial, 46" rim. Imperial: 18.4R46 = 18.4" width, Radial, 46" rim. Letter code: R1 = standard lug, R1W = wide lug, R2 = rice/cane, R3 = turf. Example: 480/80R46 R1 16-ply = 480mm wide, 80% aspect, 46" rim, standard lug, 16-ply rated.
What ply rating for farm tractor?
Compact tractors (25-50 HP): 8-10 ply. Utility tractors (50-100 HP): 12-14 ply. Row-crop tractors (100-200 HP): 14-16 ply. Large tractors (200+ HP): 16-20 ply. Match ply rating to tractor weight. Example: 75 HP tractor = 12-ply tires. Higher ply = more load capacity and puncture resistance but harsher ride.
What tire pressure for tractor?
Field work: 18-23 PSI (softer for traction, less compaction). Road transport: 26-35 PSI (harder for stability, less sidewall flex). Heavy ballast/implements: add 3-5 PSI. Check sidewall for max PSI. Lower pressure = better traction and less soil compaction. Higher pressure = road stability. Adjust based on conditions.
IF vs VF agricultural tires?
Standard: baseline load at 23 PSI. IF (Increased Flexion): same load at 20 PSI (-3 PSI), reduces compaction 15-20%, costs 30% more. VF (Very Increased Flexion): same load at 15 PSI (-8 PSI), reduces compaction 25-40%, costs 2x more. VF best for: high-value crops, wet soil, yield protection. Worth it if soil health critical.
R1 vs R1W tractor tires?
R1 (Standard Lug): 23° lug angle, best for general farming, balanced traction/road wear, most common. R1W (Wide Lug): 45° lug angle, 10-15% more traction, better self-cleaning, for heavy draft/tillage, faster road wear. Choose R1 for balanced use, R1W for maximum field traction and mud work. R1W costs 20% more.

Tire Size Comparison Tool

Compare two tire sizes to see the differences in dimensions and speedometer accuracy

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