Choosing an agricultural tyre
An agricultural tyre carries a heavy machine over soft ground and, increasingly, over asphalt between fields. The right choice depends on the axle load, the work the machine does most and the pressure you are prepared to run.
Tractor drive tyres (R-1, R-1W) are the largest group in this category. R-1 is the universal lug pattern for mixed field and road work; R-1W has lugs about 20 % deeper for wet, heavy soil and a longer service life. Steer tyres (F-2) with rib patterns keep a 2WD tractor on line and wear evenly on the road.
Radial versus bias. A radial casing flexes more, puts a longer footprint on the ground and runs cooler at road speed. It reduces compaction and fuel consumption on tractors that spend real hours in the field. A bias (diagonal) tyre has a stiffer sidewall, resists cuts on stony ground and costs less, which makes it the usual choice for older tractors, trailers and implements.
IF and VF technology. Increased Flexion (IF) casings carry the same load at about 20 % lower pressure than a standard radial of the same size; Very High Flexion (VF) casings at about 40 % lower. Lower pressure means a wider footprint and less soil compaction — the main reason large farms specify them on tractors, sprayers and harvesters.
Implement and trailer tyres (I-1, I-3, flotation) are built for load rather than traction. Flotation sizes such as 400/60-15.5 or 550/60-22.5 spread the weight of a loaded trailer or slurry tanker over soft ground.
Reading the marking
A metric size like 520/70R38 means 520 mm section width, 70 % aspect ratio, radial construction, 38-inch rim. Older imperial sizes such as 16.9-30 give the width in inches, a dash for bias construction and the rim diameter. The load index and speed symbol (for example 150A8/147B) tell you the maximum load per tyre at the rated speed; never fit a tyre with a lower index than the original equipment.
Brands in this category
CEAT Specialty supplies the bulk of our agricultural range: Farmax radial drive tyres (R65, R70 and R85 series, plus Farmax RC row-crop sizes), Floatmax FT and Flotation T422 tyres for implements and trailers, and Farm Implement bias sizes for the smaller machines. VK Tyre covers bias tractor, implement and trailer sizes at a lower price point. Both manufacturers back their tyres with a factory warranty.
Stock, delivery and advice
Most sizes listed here are on the shelf in Bratislava and leave the same working day. If your size is missing, send the machine model or the current marking through the inquiry form and we will quote the options that fit, including factory orders and complete wheel assemblies with Jantsa rims.
