tire treads

[rtd]

Hello, this is my first post here. I have a few questions re: tread designs.

There are many different different tread designs within the Ag tire category as well as within the turf tire category. I was wondering if anyone has found a rationally based test of the performance of various designs within a category. I am not looking for 'Goodyear is better than...' For example, it was common for lugs to be at 45 degrees, but today 30 degrees is common and even 25 degrees is a standard with some mfrs. It is generally assumed that the 45 degree design is better for side slopes, is this true? Does that make 30 degrees worse? What about traction in reverse?

It would seem that a more open center would provide better traction but be bad on a hard surface.

I am also curious about turf tire designs. One tractor I own has the typical 'lawn tractor' tread, I was wondering if the diamond design I sometimes see is any better. Or stated another way, what would be the most aggressive turf tread design you've found?

I hope that I'm not confusing you.

Thanks

 

[MIKE R]

With the Ag tires the different degrees on the lugs, to my understanding have different traction in different conditions, how smooth they run on hard surfaces, how well they drop mud out from between the lugs as factors. I know with the 45 degree bar tread they were the style that was used when rubber tractor tires first came out. I believe that they would be the most aggressive with the sharper angle on the tread.

 

[Zebrafive]

I think 45* is considered "old school" now and modern AG designs are closer to 25-30 degrees. Firestone 23 degree comes to mind.

I see equal length bars and long/short bar combinations, but don't have enough experience to say which is better. I like equal bars, the more the better.

I can say AG tires are much better in forward traction than reverse..

My Loader operator manual even suggests reversing the fronts (mfwd) for better traction in reverse when use is mostly with the loader.

 

[jbrumberg]

There is the standard R-1, the european R-1W which has a 20% deeper depth which is better for travel on paved roads, and the R-2 which has double the tread depth and a 45* bar angle which is designed for standing water and mud. I agree about R-1's having better forward traction than reverse especially going through deep mud.