Proper Tractor Tire Inflation

[@jfortune06]

I think the tire pressure is really dependent on what you're doing. If you're just pulling an implement, disc, plow, maybe bush hog, etc, you want lower pressure for more traction and a more comfortable ride. If you're lifting heavy things with a loader, boom pole or carry all, you're gonna want higher pressure to give you more weight capacity. If you look at your tires, it says it's maximum load bearing capacity at a certain psi. The less pressure you have, the less weight the tire can carry without blowing out. I've seen guys run way too little pressure in their tires and you can see the tire twist under load. The center of the tire turns with the wheel and the tread wants to stay put on the ground.

[@larrybigler4668]

Mike I just wanted to compliment you on your mannerism and professionalism and your great knowledge but your humble down-to-earth attitude I really enjoy your videos thank you for all your expertise

[@splitdoctor1993]

You raise a very important topic with tire pressure !!! Tire pressure is everything on a tractor......To much air in the rear and the machine rides like shit....If your using a loader, your gonna want to keep the fronts at max....If your carrying a heavy rear implement, adjust pressure accordingly......And don't forget to check pressure every now & again to see where your at......All tires loose air over time....Good video!

[@kbberlin7281]

Thanks for the tractor tire info! I’m going to have to disagree with your truck tire inflation practice however. Unless you are nearly always putting the maximum payload in your truck, the tires will wear more down the center of the tread. Also, different brands of tires may hold more air than others, it’s best practice to go with the vehicle’s recommended pressure for tires, never the max on the tire. I do enjoy you videos, thanks again!

[@DavidCYWPilot]

Thanks for a great video, Mike. My John Deere 4430 manual states that tires are over inflated during shipping to reduce jostling and therefore reduce damage. It says the pressure must be reduced prior to utilization. It includes a pressure guide for various tire sizes.

[@kenh9097]

Great job Mike, now you need to go over how to check tires with ballast liquid filled tractor tires. I really enjoy your videos, I have owned a 38 hp tractor for 7 years now but gain some more knowledge with your vid's.

[@Tim_Pollock]

Thanks for another great video Mike. I just refilled mine with fluid and IIRC put about 20psi in mine so I think I'll let a little back out.

[@markmeyer5618]

Great tip actually my son would give tires the kick test now we use a gage

[@1320freek]

Mike, I am fixing to buy a tractor therefore, I have been watching some "tractor" videos. Ran across your channel and I gotta say, you do some good stuff on here. This will be my first tractor and I'm learning a lot and getting good ideas from your videos so thank you for doing them and please continue!

[@warryckscown5620]

You can find on the side wall the max psi for ur tyre, 35is what I see most times.. I run mine so the outside edge actually touches the ground, gives better traction and ride, Over inflation will wear the centre of the tread..

[@andrey9936]

Hi, thanks for video. Tractor has become enjoyable. Your advice also probably saved my back 👍😁☺️.

[@tomkrzemecki5166]

Mike, I really enjoy your videos and have subscribed to your channel. I would like to see videos on specific tractors, like a Kubota L3800 of mine, or a candid comparison of the major brands. Thanks! Keep filming cause I'll be here watching!

[@cjboudreaux9543]

Thanks for the information. That really helped since I'm a first time tractor owner. 👍

[@philipjohnston1749]

Those tires were originally designed for backhoes where 80% of the weight is on the back tire so u need to pump them up to the spec on the sidewall . If you run those tires that hard on a compact tractor that even with a implement on the back wont weigh even a fraction of what a backhoe would. You should put one of your heaviest implements on the back raise it off the ground and run the tire pressure down till the entire tread touches the ground , check that new pressure and make them both the same .you'll never hurt the tire there way to over built for something that light but you'll love the ride and proformance of the tractor you spent that much $ on .

[@AudioGardenSlave123]

I do the same with road tires on my truck. The higher the pressure the better the fuel economy as well.

[@montelatici]

Running tractor tires with low pressure increases the risk that the front tires come off the rim when taking sharp turns in difficult terrain especially when using the loader. I run at 35 lbs. on all three of my tractors.

[@TractorMike]

I should have covered that in the video, after it was posted there were several questions about the front tires which were covered in this one which posted a couple of weeks later: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hnnCo2x9lJysa9E. I use my loader a lot so I run full inflation in the front tires but am still a big fan of low pressure in the back ones.

[@montelatici]

I should have said I run 35-40 psi on the front tires of all of my tractors not the rears.

[@johnc7512]

Alot of people think on cars and trucks you are supost to look at the tire sidewall to see what pressure to run that is not correct, you are supost to look at the door jam it will tell you the correct psi to run.

[@AccountantByDay553]

I just learned so much with your channel

[@joeseff8126]

You mention in the video that you're not sure why tires come inflated to such a high pressure. I believe it happens when the tire is mounted. Typically they inflate to a high pressure to seat the bead then are too lazy to reset the pressure to the correct level. My L3301 had 40psi in the front and 30psi in the rear. 26/14 are the recommended.

[@TractorMike]

Makes sense, thanks for sharing!

[@bayareasparky9180]

16-45 psi? My 35 horsepower compact tractor which is similar to yours has a maximum pressure of 20 psi stamped on the rear tires.

[@Drew6709]

My Kubota manual says 12 psi with liquid filled. I went to 20 so it has enough pressure to keep the tire seated.

[@Mo-OhioTreeRemoval]

Great info mike!

[@skd5432]

Nice video.... what is the reason the tractor rear tire has alternate lugs worn out....!?

[@rottmanthan]

i just got done reading that the high pressure is so it doesnt bounce while being hauled.

[@russeellbowman9498]

I have a MF 150 and no one talks about the front tires for a 2WD tractor. Any advice?

[@schwimster5345]

Thanks Mike. I saw someone else on the tube recommend to deflate till the full width of the tread touched the ground. He said you could use a card or piece of paper placed between the outside edge of the tire and the ground and deflate till the tire left a mark or pinched it. Ever hear of that? That way sounds like very low pressure.

[@TractorMike]

+Chris Schwimer Well, looking at the wear pattern on my tires, he may have a point. Maybe someone who has been in the tire business can chime in and give us definitive information and what the disadvantage of being way below the minimum inflation would be on a tractor. I hate to take much more air out of those tires, but the wear pattern sure tells me they're overinflated. I'd hate to think what it would look like with the maximum recommended in there. I may take a run at an agricultural tire maker and see if I could get some more information from them and do another video at a later date.

[@runningwater5936]

Looks like the tractor you show in the video is a New Holland (NH). I have the same issue. Both of the last two NH compact tractors I have used have the 17.5" by 24" R4, tires on the rear. The ones on my tractor now have a load rating of 5,360 lbs. at 26 psi. They are 8 ply. The tractor I have now has a cab so it adds a little more weight but even with 10 lbs. in them it's still too much because of the lack of weight on them. They are also filled with liquid ballast. I had a Titan dealer come out and he could see the issue. He said it would be okay to go down to10 lbs. but the absolute minimum was 6 lbs. In the NH manual, it says the pressure range is 12 to 28 lbs. The maximum psi listed on the tire is 26. The Titan dealer measured the weight on each tire with some scales. (My tractor had a loader with a 6 foot bucket on it and the ground was somewhat uneven which may be why the values weren't equal or real close.) The weights were: LR-1,800 lbs., RR-1,740 lbs., LF-1,600 lbs., RF-1,400lbs. I asked that the Titan dealer bring the inflation issue up with NH and I believe he said he would. I just finished putting two 105 lb. wheel weights on each side so now I've added around 210 lbs. to each tire, which isn't that much for the load capacity of the tire. I would like to add that the NH weights cannot be exactly centered. The casting is not real accurate which doesn't help. I had to use the slots so there was no definitive placement in the center of the wheel. Having 210 lbs. much off center wouldn't be good when roading the tractor. I don't really like the set up and don't know what NH was thinking (sometimes I think they don't really care) but I needed to get more weight on the rear without adding anything to the 3-point hitch, so it's free to use. I have yet to road the tractor to see how the tractor feels.

[@shahriarification]

hi mike you are a great help for me and now i feel more save as well thank you very much

[@tomkrzemecki5166]

I would like to see a video on the different types of rear tire ballast (RimGuard, WW fluid,etc) and what PSI they should be set to.

[@TractorMike]

Tom, your wish is my command! Actually, one of these is old and one I just posted a few weeks back: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hV6VXnxsbad6oqs kzbin.info/www/bejne/jondeX1tosyJm6c Hope that helps!

[@leeroybodecker5025]

Thanks Mike

[@timberray9572]

Do you have any suggestions on proper inflation of front tires for loader work? I own a 50hp midsize tractor. Thank you for any info.

[@TractorMike]

Ray, I feel bad I didn't cover that in the back tire video, I have a second video coming to address that. If I'm using a loader a lot I want pretty close to the maximum recommended. If I'm mostly pulling something I want to be toward the minimum, just like I recommended in the previous video. When I saw the obvious tread wear on my back tires I was inspired to discuss that and show what was happening, after I got it posted and published it dawned on me that I'd left the other half of the tires completely out.

[@timberray9572]

Thank you Sir.

[@virginiatichenor8508]

I have a vintage 73IHC inherited from uncle and I can't remember how much air we use to put in the rear tires. Hoping someone can help me out as I remember it wasn't very much. The size of them is 14.9x28, they are 6ply. they also have a 13 wheel I believe and I only use it for digging a little dirt and light loads in the front bucket. Can you help me out here as i need it now to use every day and 1 tire is low with starting to have a slight wrinkle bulge in it.

[@jameskennerly9748]

Thank you for sharing!

[@maximotorres9837]

You spoke of tire inflation being on the low end, does this also mean front tires?

[@TractorMike]

No, here's a video where I discussed that: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hnnCo2x9lJysa9E. If I'm using my loader I keep the pressure in the front tires at, or near, near the maximum recommended.

[@alfrednerkowski371]

how do you take off boomer 30 tires what torch are we looking

[@Larry342516]

Good video Mike.

[@tonycrockett8293]

I’m new to tractors. I have an old John Deere. I need a new front tire. It has a 7.5L x 15 on it now. Can I buy any 15” tractor tire for it? I’m thoroughly confused.

[@alfrednelson5312]

Mike, Still waiting on your video on how to change a fuel filter on a Diesel Tractor !!!!! Hope you will do one soon !!!!!! Thanks

[@TractorMike]

+Alfred Nelson Thanks Alfred, I appreciate your patience!

[@sucapizda]

Hey Mike, I am shopng around for a used tractor. I know you did some vids on buying used and they were useful, so thanx for that. What I would really like to know is what type work, or tractor use is the hardest on them? When a seller tells me he used the tractor for such and such, I want to be able to say OK, ill pass on this one as it had a hard life doing that job. And vice versa. I am sure there are tractor jobs that beat then up much more than others. A nice vid of this would be great. Thanx bud,

[@TractorMike]

+Lucky Goose Gosh that's a little tough to answer. In bigger tractors we generally assume that something that has been "farmed" with, or used for tillage/row crop production has had a lot of wear, versus one that has been on a livestock operation. The thought process is that you'll have more wear from a heavy continuous pull than from haying and feeding. Then you think about the components that the different operations stress and it gets a little more cloudy. A continuous pull will be hard on the drivetrain and tires, the livestock operator is going to use the clutch more and the wet environment with manure around isn't good for electrical components. On a compact tractor I honestly worry more about buying one that has been "babied" and never worked at all than one that has been used some. I've actually seen compacts that went out and were used for extremely light work come back in a couple of years with an oil consumption problem because the guy using it never put the engine under enough load to "seat" the rings. At the dealership I worked at, we actually put the tractor on a dyno and ran it under load for at least a half an hour before delivery to prevent that situation. I, personally, wouldn't want a tractor that had been in a construction situation or in a place where the guy that owned it didn't run it, there were hired folks running it, but I think the overall condition usually is determined by the care the previous owner took of the tractor versus what he used it for. GREAT QUESTION!!! I'm going to drag some service people in to get second opinions and do a video soon, I'd bet there are a lot of different opinions about the answer. I'm curious what everyone else has to say, maybe some viewers have some experiences to relate.

[@williamhopkins9155]

Mike. Having a problem adding air to loaded rear tires. With the valve stem at 12 o'clock it will not accept air. All I hear is the fluid grigling. Is it necessary to jack tires off the ground to accomplish this?

[@TractorMike]

Possibly, but I've never had that problem so I'm wondering if the air compressor is at fault.

[@sofakinggood5829]

Mike, Do I need any fluid in my tires? I don't have a FEL. I don't do much work with it. I mainly have it for post hole digging and light work. No hay or plowing. I'd like to avoid it. I plan to use it for parade pulling.

[@TractorMike]

As long as you're not on hills and in danger of a rollover, you're probably fine without fluid.

[@markproulx1472]

I am still perplexed as to why the under-inflated tires wear in the middle.

[@dtman66]

Hey Mike, I've wondered for some time now why tractor tires are so tall. Is it only for clearance underneath them or for traction? So many new tractors are 4wd. but continue to have tall tires. I'm wondering if my 4wd John Deere 1025 would outpull a similar weight tractor 2wd with tall tires? Thoughts?

[@TractorMike]

That's a really good question. I really think the reason for the tall tires on the back is three-fold. First, you need to have the power sent to the wheels at a point above where the hitch is. Let's say you're pulling a tillage attachment from the drawbar...the draft pull of the implement would be working with you to keep the front tires on the ground if the hitch were below the point where the power was transmitted to the wheels. If the axle is below where the pulling point was, the load on the back would be trying to pick the front wheels off the ground and you wouldn't want that. Secondly, the larger the circumference of the tire, the more rubber there is on the ground, and that increases traction and spreads out soil compaction. Third is the ground clearance thing, but you could actually get a taller tractor with lower tires with axle modifications, so that's probably not one of the main reasons for the taller tires, but it comes with the other two. There may be some other reasons that I haven't though of, so I'd welcome more comments. GREAT QUESTION!!!

[@dtman66]

I hadn't thought about the pulling factor. Your right though, the lower the draw bar below the axle the less it would want to pull the front of the tractor up. I keep thinking about a bulldozer, which is made to push, vs a tracked tractor. The bulldozer's track is same height in front as in the back vs the tractor uses a larger roller in the back for the axle to be higher. Your answer would make perfect sense. www.bing.com/images/search?q=tractor+with+tracks+vs.+tires&view=detailv2&&id=BA52C1CD3A287A354E7247B49D5A9608238AFAFE&selectedIndex=99&ccid=5BlM4eEf&simid=608011248140289107&thid=OIP.Me4194ce1e11f690c49ee647692cd196fo0&ajaxhist=0

[@amathonn]

You didn't mention how to check air pressure in tires with ballast.

[@69mag]

Run the valve stem to the top, there should be an air bubble. Test by depressing the valve core, if fluid comes out there's too much fluid installed. Bleed excess fluid out until air comes out and adjust pressure as necessary.

[@issacdavis842]

Great help

[@born2flyau]

Mike, what are your feelings about running water in your tractor tyres thes days. We always ran water in the back tyres years ago.

[@TractorMike]

+born2flyau If you live in an area that never freezes that's awesome! Here in the midwest where it gets cold you can't have a big chunk of ice in there so we have to run an antifreeze-type solution. I have fluid in my tires and it sure helps you stay stable on hills and helps the loader do its job. Only downside, if you get a big hole in the bottom of the tire it can run out.

[@vincenzo4259]

Thanks

[@Matthewzus]

How do you feel on Ply rating?

[@stanpalmer7153]

My back tire leaking around rim how can i stop it without removing the tire

[@tomhayes6920]

Thank you for the info i appreciate it

[@tomb57]

That's a really light tractor. Those tires fit much heavier tractors too.

[@ernstpeterlegrand]

Good to know to check the tires. But if they are low, what do you use to increase it?

[@TractorMike]

I have a little portable air compressor that works just fine. Sometimes the valve stems are on the inside and a little tough to reach and I like them at the top if the tires are fluid filled.

[@jtinsfv1]

What about front tire pressure and is the pressure different if your running a loader or not?

[@TractorMike]

I'll put the recommended pressure in the front tires if I'm using the loader a lot and maybe let some of the air out when I'm in the field for a better ride. I did a video on that right after I did the video you watched and here's the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hnnCo2x9lJysa9E.

[@Dadnatron]

Will you do a segment on foaming tires? The ins and outs, good bad, etc.

[@TractorMike]

+Dadnatron Great idea, I'll put it on the list. There's a guy near where I live that does that.

[@carterlonsberry2287]

Mike, I love you channel....I have a JD 2040 and it is recommended to have 13.6x28 tires I am looking to get AG tires. Would it be better to get wider tires?

[@TractorMike]

First, if it's 4wd, better to go back with the same size tires. There are ratios that must be maintained between the size of the back tires and the front tires so you're not plowing when in 4wd. The front tires will turn just a little faster than the back tires. If it's 2wd it doesn't matter, whatever fits on the rim will work as long as it clears the fender. Beware that wider tires may stick out past rear implements. You normally want implements to cover the tire tracks.

[@carterlonsberry2287]

Thanks Mike it is a 2wd!

[@ltpls1]

Mike, I enjoy your channel. After watching several videos relating to compressed air products, may I suggest you purchase a portable air compressor for your shop. Your local farm store sells an electric wheeled portable with a 20 gal tank that would serve you well.

[@TractorMike]

Thanks...I think I'm going to give you my wife's phone number, she needs to hear your wisdom :).

[@ltpls1]

Wife's can put a damper on our toys. I just took delivery of a JD 3038 R tractor, had a JD 4300 for 10 years which I really liked. The new Deere 3R has some nice improvements. Even my wife likes it! I liked your interviews with the various Tractor Product Mgr's from the recent Louisville show. Keep up your good work. Safety is so very important. Thanks Garry

[@sheldonwhite2991]

how much air in a tire that is loaded with beet juice 14.9-24

[@kreisenmenger]

I had window washer fluid put in my rear tires by the dealer. Should one take special care measuring the PSI on tire with fluid fill?

[@TractorMike]

+Karl Eisenmenger I always try to have the stems at, or near, the top so none of the fluid comes out. That's all I do.

[@tsifour]

How do you know if the tractor tires are properly matched (Front to back) so as not to cause binding of the drive train when operating in 4 wheel drive.

[@TractorMike]

Great question! That's going to have to come from the manufacturer of the tractor. They'll have a recommendation based on the gearing of the tractor. It might be in the owner's manual of the tractor, otherwise, the parts department of the tractor brand should have access to it. You want to put on exactly what they recommend because the front tires need to turn a little faster than the back tires or the tractor is constantly working against itself in four wheel drive. I'll do a video about that some day.

[@kendallreese2589]

Hello Mike, I have a flat on a 67 Massy with the power adjusting rims or spin out rims, I need to take the tire off to have it repaired, can I remove the rim and tire from the spin off rim by the 4 attaching bolts? this would leave the 500 lb center weight on the axle. Please advise.

[@TractorMike]

That's a great question and I don't know the answer. Generally those hub/rim separations are a little tough because many times they're rusted together, but I see what you're trying to accomplish. Are the tires fluid filled? If so you have a gob of weight there. I'm going to pass your question on to some friends with a little more service experience and see what they say. I'll get back with you as soon as I hear something.

[@TractorMike]

The local guru of all things Massey, Ron, from Marshfield Machinery, says it'll work. Here's his answer: This will work okay and he won’t have to handle the heavy weight, but he will need to recheck the bolts to make sure the rim clamps stay tight.

[@richardschaffling9882]

I have a farm pro tractor and the farmers around me say you should run with three treads on the ground and that is how they run there tires are they close or wrong with air pressure

[@TractorMike]

That's a new one on me. If they're doing tillage work they may want less air to get maximum traction, I'm not sure that's where you want to be for brush hog or loader work. I'll have to think about that one...

[@genegray202]

Mike, thanks so much for all your info. In your video you used the rear tire, does this info apply to the front tire also?

[@TractorMike]

+Gene Gray Gene, it depends. Thanks for asking, as I was uploading it dawned on me I hadn't discussed that and I tried to make a mental note to do another video about it and then forgot, so I appreciate you asking. If all you are doing is brush hogging and pulling things on the back, then I recommend the same thing, low air pressure is better. BUT…when you go to use the loader I recommend the maximum recommended inflation because of the pressure of bucket weight on the front tire. I'll have a video out soon about it, you can take a break and not watch because you already know the answer :). Thanks for reminding me.

[@sucapizda]

Keep em cumming Mike, learning a hole lot here. Mike would you ever make a vid of all the controls inside the cab of a full size tractor. I mean every knob there is inside the cab, what they are called and what they do. Minus the stereo and A/C stuff, cause that's like a car. Thanx

[@TractorMike]

+Lucky Goose That's a great idea. I've done videos about specific controls, but never all at once. There's probably one or two in there I'm not sure about, especially if it has electronic three point. It reminds me that about every house we've lived in has had one light switch that we never could figure out what it did.

[@4x4Moses]

Does this apply to water-filled tires, also?

[@TractorMike]

Yes, those tires are as full of fluid as I could get them.

[@FREEDOM-sd9my]

Mike, When is the best time to check tires? Before you start or sometime during your travels?

[@TractorMike]

+FREEDOM 2 I personally don't think it matters because I don't think tractor tires go around fast enough to warm everything up enough inside to significantly change pressure but I'm really not an expert on that. I check mine cold before I start. Maybe some other viewers will want to reply with different opinions, it would be interesting to check it cold, then go out and work for three hours and check it again to see if it changed. I may do that in a video this summer and we'll see what happens. Good question!

[@warryckscown5620]

On ur car or truck, do them cold.. Ur tractor, as Mike says, they won’t generate any heat to worry about..

[@hunter11107]

Thank You!!!!--------> Can you "PLEASE" talk to us about ---> DIESEL FUEL ADDITIVES????.

[@TractorMike]

+hunter11107 This was recorded with the idea of "winterizing", but with today's diesel fuels, I use a treatment year round, especially if the fuel is going to sit for a little while before I run the tractor: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p3mQmpRpjqaXgas.

[@johncollado1151]

Hi Mike... My JD 990 has a max tire pressure of 45 pounds on the rear. Only problem I have is I can't seem to measure them as they are filled with calcium and even though I have the valve at the top when I measure I always have liquid squirting out. So I don't know what my pressure is. Any way I can measure them without that happening?

[@TractorMike]

Not that I know of...I seem to always get a little of the fluid squirting out when I check the pressure. Maybe someone else knows of a way to prevent that but I don't.

[@jeromeburrasca6710]

Cruising down I80 at 80mph with your tires inflation maxed out is asking for trouble. Air expands with heat. Cold inflation pressure should never be max psi. ;)

[@albertfields332]

New one Massey Ferguson what is the level of calcium be up

[@TractorMike]

Albert, I'm not sure exactly what you're asking but I may have answered it in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eJzJiGSjlr-WapY. Good luck!

[@peteh8077]

So much bad info...