Laminated or Severe Duty Ag (aircraft) tires?

stravis · Sep 12, 2010

I think I'm about to buy a pull type 10' rotary cutter. There is an option to go from the standard laminated tire to the severe duty ag tire (aircraft tire). I don't spend much time on the road. I have one field that I rarely mow that I have to drive about 3 miles on the road to get to and another is 4 miles. Neither are cut very often.

How bad are the laminated tires on the road? How bad are the severe duty ag tires about punctures? Any other pros or cons of each?

Thanks in advance for the responses.

stravis · Sep 12, 2010

One more thing, are the laminated tires more prone to tearing up the ground on turns?

TripleR · Sep 12, 2010

We bought a Woods DS1260 pull type last year with aircraft tires that are foam filled, so no worries on punctures. We also have a Woods 121 with laminated tires, but it is a 3-point hitch mount.

The 3-point on our old Case wasn't too good, so the 121 was often transported with the laminated tires on the pavement for the 4 miles between farms five or six times a year and they did not wear out in the 13 years we have used it. We don't use it off the other farm anymore and have a new tractor with a good 3-point, so I doubt they ever will.

I got the airplane tires as I anticipated more road usage, but I just bought another tractor and mower, so it is not a factor and I would have been just as well off with laminated.

It looks like the laminated tires would tear the ground up more, but that has not been my experience though it may not be a fair comparison since the 121 is lighter than the DS1260.

Given your situation, I think either will work well.

stravis · Sep 12, 2010

Thank you, TripleR. I appreciate the response.

TripleR · Sep 13, 2010

Good luck in your shopping, I really like mine.

sweettractors · Sep 13, 2010

We just bought a New Woods 180 Batwing with airplane tires and the dealer said that was the only he would sell them. So far, we like them well. Ken Sweet

dangerdoc · Sep 13, 2010

stravis said:
I think I'm about to buy a pull type 10' rotary cutter. There is an option to go from the standard laminated tire to the severe duty ag tire (aircraft tire). I don't spend much time on the road. I have one field that I rarely mow that I have to drive about 3 miles on the road to get to and another is 4 miles. Neither are cut very often.

How bad are the laminated tires on the road? How bad are the severe duty ag tires about punctures? Any other pros or cons of each?

Thanks in advance for the responses.

I had aircraft tires on the front of my old Ford tractor. One day I noticed one of them looked a little low when I had the loader full. When I went to put air in it, there was no visible valve stem, apparently it had been flat for awhile and I hadn't noticed. I finished up work that day before getting it fixed. In this case, the aircraft tire was so stiff, it was able to hold the tractor up with no air pressure.

We have a local company that sells aircraft tires and also does service, I don't know if your local ag tire guy will be able to service aircraft tires. Something you may need to check out prior to service.

Redbug · Sep 14, 2010

DangerDoc...I wonder how in the heck do they mount, (or dismount), such a stiff tire on the rim?

dangerdoc · Sep 14, 2010

Redbug said:
DangerDoc...I wonder how in the heck do they mount, (or dismount), such a stiff tire on the rim?

That would be my major concern about using them.

I happen to live about 6 miles from a company that deals with used aircraft tires for agriculture so I didn't have to worry about service. They have some pretty heavy duty mounting equipement in the shop.