How Much Do Tractor Tires Weigh? (With Examples)

Tractors are essential machines in agriculture and can be used to do a variety of tasks like planting crops, plowing fields, and hauling raw materials. Given that they weigh up to 20,000 pounds, tractors must have pretty strong tires. And if you’re wondering how heavy they weigh, stick around. 

The average weight of a tractor tire ranges between 450 to 600 pounds per tire. If we add up to four tires, that’s about 900 to 2,400 pounds. Due to its design, the front tires weigh less (by around 40 pounds). 

In this piece, we’ll cover all information about a tire’s weight and details on how to determine the weight of your tractor at home. We’ll also include a few tips to help you make them last longer. 

What is The Weight Of A Tractor Tire?

Tractor tires may be essential to tractors, but athletes and enthusiasts are also keen on their weights. Weightlifters seek these tires due to their heavy weight as it provides an excellent form of exercise. 

Typically, tractor tires come in four tiers; small size, mid-size, large, and extra large. Let’s take a closer look at these sizes. 

Small Size Tractor Tires

The smallest size of tractor tires weigh about 300 pounds and measure 17 to 25 ft. So, the smallest still weighs a bunch, as it is ten times heavier than the average weight of a car tire. 

Its weight provides enough support for smaller agricultural equipment in the 40-50 horsepower range. Small tractors may not be the ideal machine for most farmers, but they come in handy if you need specific tasks and the weight isn’t much of an issue. 

Medium Size Tractor Tires

The average medium-size tractor is about 20 by 25 inches and can weigh up to 450 pounds. Medium tractor tires are the most popular, and you’ll find them almost on every farm.

You can use the medium tires on both the rear and front axles of your tractor. 

These tires power all common tractors in the 80 to 100-horsepower range. Its weight benefits most agricultural activities and can last a while when well-maintained. 

Large Size Tractor Tires

As we get higher up the tier, things start to look sizable. Large-size tractor tires weigh from 450 to 800 pounds with average dimensions of 23 by 25 inches.

Large tractor tires are designed to handle heavy machines and tractors with 100+ horsepower. 

Since it is a huge tire, the weight mostly depends on the wear patterns, threads, and how much wire is used in making it. So, a used large-size tractor tire is definitely lighter than a new one. 

Extra-Large Tractor Tires

Although not popular, there are extra large tires for bigger tractors. They are massive and can weigh up to 1000 pounds measuring about 27 by 25 inches in diameter.

So, a tractor with extra large tires can be up to 4,000 pounds more due to tires alone. 

How To Determine The Weight of A Tractor Tire

Now that you know the different tire sizes, you might be wondering how to tell the weight of a tractor. In this part, we’ll look at the different ways of determining the weight of tractor tires. 

Even the smallest tractor tire is too heavy to put up on a scale, and the easiest way to determine its weight is to check its walls.

On every tire is a five-digit number imprinted on the sidewall with the first two digits separated by a dot and the last two by a dash. 

For instance, a sidewall imprinted 18.6-30 shows a tire with 18.6 as the tire width and 30 as the tire rim diameter indicated in inches. Let’s take a deeper dive into tractor tire sizes as we try to determine weight. 

Radial Tires

Radial tractor tires are the most common type used on farm tractors as they have better handling, traction, and flotation than most types. They are particularly excellent for agricultural use when compared to bias-ply alternatives. 

These tires are excellent thanks to their ingenious design. Radial tires are constructed with steel belts running across the tire tread at a constant 90-degree angle.

When you compare the bias-ply tires with 45-degree angles on the treads the radial tractor tire offers better efficiency. 

If you want to identify a radial tire, check on the markings on the sidewall. The tire will have a conspicuous letter R between the five-digit identification number. So, for example, 11.4R20 is a radial tire’s dimensions. 

Metric Tires

Metric tires are common in Europe as they use European measurement units. They are used for smaller farm equipment such as mini-tractors and mowers.

Now it is easy to think Metric Tires have an M on the sidewall, but that’s not the case. 

The tires also have an R on the sidewall, but the numbers are separated by a slash or two. So, a metric tractor tire would have a number combination like 420/86R36.

The numbers use the same system of identifying measurements.  The first two digits indicate the width, followed by the aspect ratio, and the last one after the R is the wheel diameter. 

Standard Tires

The next type of tractor tire is the standard tire, also known as a bias-ply tire. They are common on older tractors or farm machines that don’t need the high performance of a radial tire. 

While radial tires may be popular today, standard tire options are still in the agriculture sector. They are less expensive and can be a quick fix on unprecedented occasions.

Another benefit of standard tires is they have so many sizes, working on different applications. 

Taking Care of Tractor Tires

Now that you know everything about a tractor’s weight, here are some tips to help you keep them for a long and avoid early replacements. 

Regularly Clean Your Tractor

Tractor tires accumulate dirt in between the threads due to the environment they’re put in. After a long day working on the farm, treat your tires to a clean bath, particularly if they are clogged up.

The groves are notorious for accumulating dirt. You’ll need warm soapy water and a quality wire brush to remove the mud and debris. 

Purchase Quality Tires

Avoid going for cheap tires. They’ll cost more after a few years. It may seem challenging to spend a few extra hundred dollars on a tire, but the longevity will provide value and save you bucks. 

Do Regular Inspections

Your tires don’t have to be quite awful for you to consider a replacement. Old, worn-out tires provide a greater risk to your tractor every time you hop on to drive.

If the treads are weary even a small stone or any pointy surface can cause it to pop. 

So, it is better to know the last days of a tire and avoid driving when they are in such a state. If you feel like the tires are slipping more than usual and it is not particularly wet outside, that may be a sign of replacement. 

Other signs include tire paleness or cracks from constant exposure to hot temperatures. You should replace your tires once you start noticing these signs. 

Avoid Driving on Pavement

Your farm may have uneven surfaces, and a tractor may handle it perfectly. But you should avoid frequent drives on pavements. Tractor tires may seem tough but are better suited for soft terrains like grass, dirt, or hay. 

Always Put the Correct Tire Pressure

Like vehicles, the tire pressure is important and should be the correct unit your tire can handle.

If you underinflate it, the tire develops abnormal wear on the shoulders and lugs. The driver may not notice this until later when replacement is inevitable. 

Low pressure makes the tire heat up and can cause other components to disintegrate, hence the tire wears out faster. Overinflation may cause issues such as bulges and unexpected pops due to the same. 

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