Equipment tires are a significant investment for farmers. Which is why it is important for us to properly educate them when they ask how they can make their expensive equipment tires last. Here are the main things you should point out to your customers so they can get the most out of their agriculture tires:  

Correctly Set PSI 

Before any machine leaves your lot, it is important to teach your customers how to correctly set the PSI. If you need help determining the correct PSI for a machine, we have tire pressure calculators right on our website for you to do so: https://www.axontire.com/brands/ (Note: This is also a great resource to share with your customers.) 

Things to know when checking for the correct PSI:  

• Weigh each axle to determine the axle load 
• Be sure to include and cast or liquid ballast, loader, and hitch weight of the implement 
• Set the air pressure according to the load inflation table for the tires on your machine. 
• These tables or pressure calculators can be found on our website: https://www.axontire.com/brands/ 

Inflation Pressure 

We would argue that inflation pressure is the most important part of keeping equipment tires in tip-top shape. Making sure your customers equipment tires are inflated properly is one of the best things you can do for them, and a simple tire pressure gauge is one of the best investments they can make on the farm or at your dealership (tune into our monthly podcasts and you could win one for free!) Here’s the breakdown of inflation pressure:  

Overinflation can cause excessive tire wear and can diminish ride quality—damaging equipment, excessive compaction, increasing maintenance costs, and decreasing tire’s longevity.  

Underinflation can lead to uneven tread wear and overheat the tire casing – also decreasing longevity of the tire.  

Both over and under inflation can decrease a tire’s life as well as increase fuel costs and lower yields. Checking a tire’s air pressure as often as possible and adjusting pressure as needed is the best and easiest way to maintain long-lasting tires.  

Monitor Tread Depth  

A tread depth gauge is another inexpensive tool that pays off big on the farm. It is important to educate your customers on this and get them in the habit of checking the tread depth a few different places on their tires. If a tire is wearing the tread unevenly, it’s a good indication that it’s operating at the incorrect inflation pressure, the tires may be improperly mounted, or there is a problem with the equipment.  

There’s no exact number for when to replace a tire, but a good guideline is that tires with only 20% to 30% of their original tread depth left are nearing replacement. It’s tempting to try to sneak another season out of a worn-out tire, but it can end up costing your customers more in the long run as worn lugs reduce traction and increase slippage, decreasing productivity and increasing fuel costs. 

Overinflate for Storage  

As your customers are putting pieces of equipment away for the season, such as a planter at the end of seeding, it’s a good idea to have them overinflate the tires by 5 to 10 psi. For every 10° Fahrenheit in air temperature fluctuation, a tire’s pressure will change by 1 psi, so their equipment tires will lose pressure in fall and winter. Overinflating ag tires provides extra air to compensate for varying temperatures and helps them maintain their shape over the off-season. 

If they’re putting a piece of equipment away for an extended period of time, it is important to check in on it periodically to ensure its tires have the optimal air pressure. Another option is to take the load completely off the tires.  

Application-Specific Tires 

Having the right tires on your equipment for each job is another way to ensure long service life and maximize your ROI. AXON carries multiple different brands designed specifically for almost every application your customers may need. From special compounds and unique treads to innovative technologies like VF, we can find you application-specific tires that are engineered to last longer and perform for a long time to come.  

Contact your AXON Client Advisor with any questions!