April 24, 2024
When managing or operating heavy machinery like tractors, understanding the specifics of each component is crucial, including the weight of tractor tires. Tractor tires vary significantly in weight, which can impact both the functionality and efficiency of the machinery.
So, you might have been fascinated by the enormous size of the tractor’s tires, and you might happen to become curious about how much the average tractor tires weigh. We calculated the average weight on NeoTires and each tractor tire weighs around 400 to 600lbs, which is a weight far heavier than the fattest human on the planet.
Thus, considering the abovementioned figures, you can sum up the weight of the four tires of tractors and come up with a maximum weight of 2,400 pounds. The tractor’s tires may come in any of the following four sizes, depending on the size of the tractor. Below is a rundown of these four tire sizes:
What is the Average Tire Weight of Tractors?
Compact Size Tires
The compact size tires range between 17.5 feet by 25 feet. The maximum weight of each of these tires is 300lbs. The average weight of a car’s tire is around 25 pounds, while the average weight of the pickup truck’s tires is about 200 pounds each. Given this comparisons, you will quickly see that the tractor’s tire is much heavier than those of the pickups and the cars.
Medium and Midsized Tractor’s Tires
The next tractor size is the medium or mid-sized tractor. Each tire of these tractors is around 20.5 by 25 feet. Compared to the small-sized tractor tires, you will notice not much difference in their sizes. Hence, you can say that the weight of each medium-sized tractor’s tire is not much different from that of the small-sized tractor’s tire, though each tire of the medium-sized tractor weighs around 400 pounds or more.
Large Tractor Tires
As we go up the size categories of tractor tires, we will now get into the legitimate sizeable tires of the large tractors. The large tractor’s tires feature a 23.5 by 25 feet size. Each tire also weighs between 400 to 800lbs. Moreover, you will find lighter large tractor tires at 550 to 650 pounds. Besides, the metal parts that come with the tire and the wear patterns have a bearing on the overall weight of the tire.
Extra Large Tires of Tractors
The large-sized tires, of course, pale in comparison to the extra-large tires. Moreover, these tires are also the heaviest among the tire categories and may weigh around 1,000 pounds. These add up to around 4000 pounds of weight to your tractor’s overall weight.
How To Calculate Tractor Tires Dimensions and Weight?
As a curious owner of a tractor, you may want to know how much your tractor tires weigh. But you don’t have the luxury of lifting each tire and placing it on a weighing scale. Such an idea, of course, may seem preposterous and impractical unless you have a huge weighing scale and a crane to lift the tire onto the weighing scale. The tractor’s tire, of course, is quite heavy for weighing them.
Nevertheless, you don’t need to look ludicrous by trying to weigh the tires individually, for the dimensions of each tire is already indicated in the tire’s sidewall. As you inspect the sidewall of the tire, you will notice a 5-digit figure. The primary two digits come with a period, while a dash separates the third from the fourth number. An example of these five digits is 16.9-30.
You may think that these digits are just arbitrary approximations. They are not. For example, the 16.9 pertains to the tractor’s tire width. The width is the measurement between the two sidewalls of the tire. These measurements are in inches.
The last two digits pertain to the rim’s diameter, which is also set in inches. It seems quite easy to figure out the size and measurements of your tires basing on these figures. But it is not often the case, for some measurements may be in radial, metric, or standard measurements.
The Metric Tractor Tires
You will find measurements in metric when you search for the digits that indicate your tire’s dimensions. In Europe, for example, the metric system is in use, and hence, the measurements you will see on tires made in Europe are in metric. The digital figures you will see on the sidewall come with an “R” and a slash. For example, you will find 280/85R24 or 280/85R20. These figures may not make sense to you at this point; but let me explain them to you.
The width of the tire, for example, is indicated by the first number. In the case of 280/855R20, the tire’s width is 280. These figures, of course, are in millimeters instead of inches. The aspect ratio, however, refers to the second set of numbers. The aspect ratio indicates the width of the tire relative to its height once it gets inflated.
These numbers are also in the metric. So, you may be asking what the R stands for. The “R” indicates that the tire comes with radial construction. The number right after the R refers to the diameter of the wheel for mounting.
Standard Tractor Tires
The standard tractor measurement includes the first example above. Those five-digit figures are pretty standard and common, though you may find five-digit figures like 11.2X20 measurements. Don’t be confused by these seemingly different figures, for they are the same and indicate the same thing. These figures are just an alternate way of printing the measurements.
One helpful way to convert one tractor size to another is via Ken Jones Tires Conversion chart. You may also chance upon a blank spot in that conversion chart, indicating no equivalent conversion for that specific tire size.
Radial Tractor Tires
Another point of consideration about tractor tires is the radial tractor tires. You will find in radial tractor tires the letter R, which indicates radial construction. Radial construction refers to any tire that features 90° cord piles. This cord piles move in the same direction as your tires. You will also discover that the majority of tires are radial.
The radial tractor tires come with two numbers followed by a point. After the point comes another number and “R,” followed by two numbers. For example, you will find in the sidewalls of radial tractor tires figures like 11.2R20. Such a figure indicates that the tire is a radial tractor tire.
Conclusion
If it is your first time being up close to a tractor tire, you will notice how sizeable the tire is. You may also think about how much weight each tractor has and what kind of equipment is used to lift or mount the tire. The abovementioned measurements found on the sidewall of the tire are indicative of the tire’s dimension. Knowing how to read these figures will allow you to figure out the exact weight of the tire.
With some meticulous calculations using the given dimensions, you can come up with the exact weight of each tire. Knowing the weight of your tractor’s tire can come in handy if you need to add weight to your tractor wheel to improve your tractor wheels’ traction and the efficiency of your tractor.