Why is Weight The Only Solution Being Offered To The Problem Of Traction?

[BnRidge]

For a long time racers stubbornly insisted narrow tires had the same traction as wider tires.

They also spin up the tires just prior to using them. Does that somehow make them more sticky? Maybe there is something else going on there. Tractor tires generally don't go through that.

 

[Lineman North Florida]

Duels have been around for a long time, just might need to widen some gates.

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One of the best ways to add traction and weight for farming operations, back before 4 x 4 was as popular as it is today, duals on farm tractors were common, I can remember when I was a boy drying out wet fields with a 3 point lift harrow and a JD 4440 with duals , when you would just about bog down I would lift the 3 pt hitch a little throwing more weight on the back of the tractor to keep me moving instead of getting stuck.

 

[Torvy]

They also spin up the tires just prior to using them. Does that somehow make them more sticky? Maybe there is something else going on there. Tractor tires generally don't go through that.

Traction on pavement is a different animal than traction in dirt.

 

[LouNY]

As far as the diameter of a tractor tire relating to it's traction the
Post #43 and #46 have the correct answers.
A simple way to illustrate it would be to roll a pencil across some dirt it's not going to roll worth a dang.
Now try the same roll with a coffee can it will roll right across it.
The taller tire has several advantages over a shorter tire in dirt, usually a longer foot print on the ground.
As well as the ability to roll over obstructions easier and to climb out of dips or holes.
In most tractor applications the taller tire will work better. In some instances tall and wider works better but
not always. In many instances if tires are the same height a narrower one will work better if the material
being driven in is soft with a firm base. Then there is the current condition for many snow a wide tire is not your
friend in snow it will have to run it's self up on top of the snow constantly and then it will be packing it under to make
more ice were a narrower tire will let much more spill off to the sides letting the tires get down and get a bit.

 

[MossRoad]

They also spin up the tires just prior to using them. Does that somehow make them more sticky? ....

A burnout cleans the tires of any dirt/oils etc. that may have been driven on in the pits and on the way to the line. It also heats up the tire to create better traction.

 

[jigs_n_fixtures]

All about leverage. A taller tire is like a taller gear. Ie 4.10 verses 2.55.

NO!!! You have it backwards. A taller a tire is like a 2.35 vs a 4.10. A taller tire moves more distance per revolution. Thus more work per revolution.

A tractor designed for taller tire will have a higher numeric axle to compensate For the added lever length of the tire radius.

The advantages of a taller tire:

Ii gets you more clearance, and typically a larger contact area.

The angle of incidence is smaller. Think of the part of the tire just in front of the contact patch. It is at a lower angle than with a shorter tire. Think of that angle in terms of a ramp. Steeper is harder to go up.

 

[Cahaba Valley Farm]

All about leverage. A taller tire is like a taller gear. Ie 4.10 verses 2.55.

This video reiterates what Murphy said about a tire being compared to a gear:

 

[Brendanspapa]

They appear to be a wonderful innovation, especially for paved or smooth surfaces. I don't believe they'd have much gripping power in the dirt. Weight is not the only criteria for improving traction, the amount of tread on the tire or the addition of chains can be another factor. Weight is probably the simplest and least expensive way to improve tractor traction.

Adding weight also improves stability. This is critical when using a loader and operating on slopes.

 

[MHarryE]

In the 60's with introduction of the JD 4020 and IH 806, standard tire was 18.4 x 34. That was soon changed to 18.4 x 38. Tractor company and tire suppliers used images of tread footprint on concrete using pressure sensitive paper showing that one additional V of lugs was in ground contact giving added traction. It was with those tractors that duals also came into play - I was young enough then that installing duals for field work and removing for haying was not such a back breaking problem. Then along came radials - virtually all ag tractors are now equipped with radials for the improved traction and reduced compaction. Most important, however, was MFWD. My example is pulling into a field for tillage and forgetting to switch on FWD. Notice I am going too slow, check my GPS and find it reading 3.5 mph vs tractor saying 5.0 mph. Tap the FWD switch and my GPS bounces up to 4.8 - 4.9 and engine power readout drops from 100% to 90%. More acreage covered per hour with lower fuel cost per acre - win win. Weight? Yes, loaded rears and either front end weights to keep it down or loader. But MFWD more important to traction than weight - and wish that someday I could afford a Quad-Track.

 

[fishdrivel]

Gravity is everywhere.....