michelin evobib tyre at work
The 6 criteria for choosing your tractor tyres or any agricultural tyres
Choosing tractor tyres can seem complicated. That's why we've listed the 6 essential criteria below to help you make the right choice. Simply apply them one by one to narrow down your choices and be guided towards the ideal purchase.
In the second part of this guide, we'll also help you choose the right tractor tyres for other agricultural machinery.
How to choose tractor tyres: the 6 essential criteria
1 - What is the maximum authorised diameter for your rear tractor tyres?
This is the very first question you need to answer. To extend your tractor's performance, we strongly recommend that you choose the widest possible diameter for the rear axle. You can therefore exclude tractor tyres with a diameter exceeding the maximum size defined by the manufacturer of your vehicle.
The maximum authorised diameter is relative to your tractor. And since original equipment tyres are not necessarily of the maximum diameter, we recommend that you consult your tractor's technical data sheet or your dealer if you're not sure you know this information.
Note that for the maximum authorised diameter, there are dimensional equivalents.
For example, for a tractor that can be fitted at the rear with a maximum diameter of 1.95 m, you can fit 650/65 R42, 710/60 R42 or 710/70 R38 tyres (to name just a few possible sizes). These sizes vary in terms of tread width and sidewall height, but all correspond to the 1.95 m diameter.
For more information on this subject, you can download our technical documentation.
2 - What tyre width do you need?
A larger diameter does not necessarily mean a wider tyre. The width is a criterion that you have to determine according to your needs.
For example, you may need the narrowest possible tractor tyres because you're spraying or because you're passing between crops with agricultural implements and do not want to crush them. So, sticking with the maximum diameter you've determined, for example 1.95 m, what would be the narrowest possible tractor tyre in this case? For this diameter, you could opt for a tyre 270 mm wide.
Choose the right tractor tyre width for your use
Another example: you may need a very versatile tyre that can perform well when ploughing. A tractor tyre that can fit in your furrow when you're pulling your plough, and should be neither too wide nor too narrow. For a diameter of 1.95 m, you could therefore choose a 620 mm or 650 mm wide tyre.
If you don't plough and have no limitations in terms of road clearance because your plots are all around your farm, then you could opt for a wider tractor tyre, for example 800 or 900 mm, for that diameter.
Choosing your tyre width depends on your needs, but also on what that implies. Which brings us to the next criterion.
3 - What is the load and speed capacity?
There isn't the same volume of air in a tyre measuring 270/95 R54 as in a tyre measuring 900/60 R32. And if you don't have the same volume of air, you won't have the same load capacity. So, depending on the implements you use and the size and weight of your tractor, you need to determine what load capacity you need. The same applies to speed.
For example, 1033 litres are needed to fill a MICHELIN CEREXBIB2 tyre VF900/60R32 CFO+ to 75%, while 240 litres are needed to fill a MICHELIN AGRIBIB ROW CROP tyre 320/90R54 151A8/151B TL to 75%.
4 - Do you need any particular technology?
Depending on your use, opting for a particular technology could make a big difference to your yield. (Note that "technology" is not the same as "standard": MICHELIN Ultraflex technology was developed specifically by Michelin engineers to meet VF (Very Improved Flexion) or IF (Improved Flexion) standards.)
If working at low pressure to limit soil compaction or to be able to work in difficult conditions with good traction is important to you, we recommend tractor tyres with Michelin Ultraflex Technology.
Otherwise, you can opt for a standard tractor tyre. This is an important question, as some tyres of the same size are available in standard or MICHELIN Ultraflex technology versions.
5 - What tyre tread pattern do you need?
The choice depends on how you use your tractor.
- Do you mainly drive on the road? If so, a suitable tread pattern will be that of the MICHELIN ROADBIB tyre to help you reduce fuel consumption or the MICHELIN CROSSGRIP tyre. The choice will depend on the available dimensions.
- Do you do about 50/50 field and road? If so, you will surely appreciate the MICHELIN EVOBIB tyre, our 2-in-1 solution, provided you are equipped with the Central Tyre Inflation System (CTIS) which allows you to manage pressures by remote inflation.
the tyre tread pattern you need depends on your use
- Do you mainly use your tractor in the field? Then one of our other tractor tyre ranges will be suitable for this use.
At this stage, having followed our criteria, you should have narrowed down the possibilities to the solutions best suited to your needs. There's only one criterion left to determine in order to make the right choice.
6 - What is the accepted preponderance on your tractor?
Your tractor has four-wheel drive. The question of preponderance is important because the front and rear tractor tyre sizes are different. Good synchronisation between the front and rear wheels is therefore essential to ensure that your tractor operates at optimum efficiency. To achieve good synchronisation, the preponderance ratio generally needs to be between 0% and 5%. As there are sometimes exceptions, the best thing to do is to contact your dealer.
Beyond these limits, the preponderance will be inadequate and involve one or more of these inconveniences:
- increased fuel consumption,
- accelerated wear of front and rear tyres,
- deterioration in transmission components,
- deterioration in the tractor's behaviour during certain operations (e.g. ploughing).
The preponderance is calculated on the basis of the axle ratio defined by the manufacturer for your tractor. Which depends on the size of the front and rear tyres.
This is why, if you decide to change the diameter of your tractor tyres (see our 1rst criterion above), the preponderance must be recalculated and may also involve changing the front tyres.
If you don't know the preponderance accepted by your tractor or don't know how to calculate it, consult your dealer, who will be able to help you on this point.
Now that you have the answers to the criteria, all you have to do is find the tyres for your tractor below:
You can also find more information in these articles:
How to choose tyres for other agricultural machinery?
If you need to find the right tyres for your combine harvester, your tractor's trailer, your self-propelled sprayer, self-propelled spreader or any other agricultural machinery, the criteria are the same as those explained above, apart from the last one, preponderance, which is not relevant in your case.
Once you have the answers to the 6 first criteria, click below to find your tyres.
Need more advice? Discover our tyre choosing guide.