Provided by Tirecraft, Supporting Partner of OSCIA

“It’s time to increase your tire pressure.” These might seem like unusual words coming from your agricultural tire dealer, who consistently emphasizes the importance of decreasing air pressures to prevent soil compaction. However, winter will soon be upon us, and here are a few tips to keep your tire investments in optimal condition for next spring and many more planting seasons to come.

Before storing your equipment for the long winter months ahead, the first thing you should do is thoroughly wash them. Rubber compounds are designed to work in the fields, providing traction and good roadability. Washing them down will remove harmful residues that accumulate over the summer months. Residues from manure or hydrocarbons can seriously damage your tires.

Once this step is completed, it’s time to increase the air pressure. A good rule of thumb is to increase the air pressure by 10% if tractors are set for field use or by 5% if they are set up for road use. This will help the tires maintain their shape over the winter months. Additionally, if tires are stored at air pressures set for field work, they will already be at lower air pressures. A drop from plus 5 degrees to minus 20 degrees will result in a 5 PSI air pressure drop. Remember, it’s the air in the tires that carries the weight, not the tires themselves. Even when not in use, your tires will be overloaded and put tremendous strain on the beads that anchor the tires to the rims.

When storing them, keep your equipment away from oils, gas, solvents, and hydraulic or brake fluids. 

To prevent moisture from affecting your tires, lay a sheet of heavy-duty plastic down and place plywood under the tires. This will help keep moisture away from them. The most significant natural enemies of tires are UV rays from the sun and water. If you plan to store any tires outside, make sure to cover them.

By following these small steps, you can help maintain healthy tires.