What is the impact of a front loader on my agricultural tyres?

The use of a front loader on your tractor is not without consequences for your tyres. Between handling operations, transporting heavy loads and manoeuvres on hard ground, an intense effort is required from the front tyres of your tractor, which can lead to premature wear or even irreversible damage.
Each type of work puts a very specific strain on the tyres and without adequate adjustments, these repeated solicitations reduce tyre wear life considerably. But how can you avoid having to replace your front tyres too often? What adjustments make it possible to extend their lifespan despite intensive use with a front loader?

This article provides concrete answers by discussing some good practices to adopt as well as technical solutions that are specific to use of a front loader. Discover how to protect your tyres despite intensive use in the farm courtyard.

1. Does the use of a front loader cause additional tyre wear?

A front loader is a piece of multipurpose equipment which is indispensable on many farms and which can have a significant impact on your tractor tyre lifespan. Great strain is effectively placed on the front tyres during lifting and handling operations which can lead to premature wear.

Why does the front loader cause front tyre wear?

The level of wear is high due to the pressure exerted on the front tyres. When you use a front loader, the weight of the load together with the lifting arm exerts considerable pressure on the front tyres.

This cyclic load, with constant loading and unloading operations, leads to erratic variations in weight. The consequence is a frequent distortion of the tyres, sometimes beyond the capacity provided by the tyre manufacturer.

The consequences of this cyclic overload

• The pressure exerted on the tyres crushes the sidewalls laterally. If the resulting distortion is too frequent, the sidewalls will be overexerted, leading to permanently misshapen tyres. This distortion weakens the internal structure of the tyre and makes it more vulnerable to impacts and torsion.

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• Accelerated wear: repeated overloading accelerates wear to the tread. As the pressure cannot always be suitable for the extent of the load, the tyres wear more rapidly and have to be replaced more frequently.

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• Risk of perforation: repeated manoeuvres on hard ground, combined with overloading, increase the risk of perforation, torsion of the lugs and cuts to the tyres.

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• Just like the tyres, the mechanical elements of the front axle face multiple tyres of strain during use of the loader. It is therefore necessary to check that the pivot pins and bearings are in good condition and inspect the alignment of the front axle regularly. Clearly, if the mechanical components are damaged, this will have a major impact on tyre wear life.

What kind of work causes the most wear to the front tyres?

• Intensive work in the farm courtyard: repeated manoeuvres on hard ground, such as the farm courtyard or livestock buildings, really put tyres to the test. Impacts, friction and torsion weaken the tyre’s internal structure.

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• Hard abrasive ground: gravel or compacted soil act like sandpaper on tyres. Micro-cuts rapidly wear away the tread.

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• Excessive loads increase the pressure exerted on the tyres and accelerate the rate of wear. In addition, the risk of slipping is greater, which can damage the structure of the tyre.

2. Good practices to reduce the impact of the front loader on my agricultural tyres

A few good practices can help you extend your tyre lifespan and reduce replacement frequency and costs.

Spread the load more evenly to take pressure off the front tyres

One of the ways of preserving your tyres is to balance out the load between the front and the rear of your tractor. By adding extra weights at the back, you take away some of the pressure caused by the front loader, especially when lifting heavy loads high up.

Adapt tyre pressure to each task

• Handling: for handling work with a front loader, on hard ground, it is advisable to increase the pressure in the front tyres. This improves the stability of the tractor during manoeuvres with heavy loads. However, make sure that you do not exceed the maximum pressure indicated on the sidewall of the tyre (in general 2 to 2.4 bar, depending on the load index indicated).

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• Transport by road: for trips by road, it is advisable to maintain a slightly higher pressure to reduce rolling resistance and limit wear to the tread.

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• Work in the fields: on the other hand during lifting work in the fields, such as loading bales of hay, it is preferable to reduce pressure slightly within the limit of the tyre’s technical capacity, to avoid excess soil compaction.

Stay within the recommended pressure range

Each tyre has a pressure range recommended by the manufacturer, based on maximum load and speed. It is essential to follow these recommendations in order to manage the load correctly, to limit wear and to ensure good stability and a long wear life for your tyres.

Other advice for the protection of your tyres

• Reduce speed when the tractor is loaded: excess speed, especially with a load, increases the tyres’ slip ratio on the ground and inevitably leads to heating of the rubber, making it more supple and sensitive to abrasion.

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• Avoid abrupt manoeuvres: abrupt stopping and starting, tight bends and on-the-spot manoeuvres place great strain on the tyre lugs which may fold beneath the tensile stress, potentially to the point of breaking.

3. Choose reinforced tyres: a good option for using a front loader

To optimise the lifespan of your tyres and ensure good tractor performance capacity, it is essential to choose tyres that are specially designed for handling operations.

Why are reinforced tyres indispensable?

Reinforced tyres provide better resistance thanks to their internal structure which is more solid. This characteristic allows them to carry heavier loads and work at a higher inflation pressure without any distortion. Here are the characteristics to look for when equipping your tractor:

• A reinforced casing: the casing is the main part of the tyre that bears the load. When it is reinforced, it has more plies and high-resistance materials, which gives the tyre more rigidity and durability. Reinforced tyres are better protected against shocks and impacts, which reduces the risk of breakdowns.

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• The ability to work at a high inflation pressure: reinforced tyres can cope with a higher inflation pressure without the risk of distortion or damage. This makes it possible to optimise tractor stability during manoeuvres with heavy loads or faced with a large load transfer.

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• Better resistance to wear: premium tyres are designed with materials that are more resistant to abrasion, which means that they last longer over time, even in the harshest working conditions. Their wear life is extended, thus reducing replacement costs.

4. Performer 85, Performer 70 and R4000: Extra Load tyres adapted to front loaders

Firestone has developed a range of extra-load tyres designed to withstand intensive use with front loaders, offering greater versatility and a solution that is suited to each type of work.

Performer 85 Extra Load: versatility and sturdiness

Firestone’s Performer 85 tyre, from the Extra Load range, stands out due to its versatility. It excels not only in the fields but also during intensive handling work. Its ultra-resistant casing and its high load capacity make it a choice ally in the harshest working conditions.

• Versatility: suited to a wide range of applications, from work in the fields to handling operations.

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• Sturdiness: reinforced casing for better shock resistance and a new rubber compound which offers 20% more wear resistance than the previous generation of tyre.

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• Load capacity: withstands high pressure (up to 4 bar for the 280/85 R24) to cope with heavy loads linked to use of a front loader.

Performer 70 Extra Load: ideal for intensive work

Designed for the most intensive work, the Performer 70 Extra Load range has an ultra-sturdy casing. Its ability to withstand high pressure makes it a tyre that is particularly well suited to difficult working conditions.

• Resistance: longer wear life thanks to its reinforced casing.

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• Traction: Dual Angle technology for optimal adherence on all types of ground (hard, soft).

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• Pressure: suited to high pressure to cope with the load related to use with a front loader.

Firestone R4000: the best choice for specialised crops

Firestone’s R4000 tyre is specifically designed for work in vineyards and orchards. Its design allows it to work on difficult, harsh or sloping terrain and to carry out delicate manoeuvres with precision.

• Traction: optimal adherence on soft ground thanks to its Dual Angle lugs.

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• Pressure: possibility of working with a large range of pressure settings from 1.6 to 3.2 bar with the Extra Load version, to facilitate lifting operations with a high inflation pressure.

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• Manoeuvrability: perfect for limited space and irregular terrain.

To help you clearly define the causes of premature wear on your current tyres, we have developed a complete guide for you to download free of charge "How to detect abnormal wear in my tractor tyres"

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