Radial vrs. Bias Ply

Radial tires on a tractor, when to, when not to? Advantages, disadvantages?

I've got turf tires on my Deere, came that way. If had a sod farm, I suppose would be ok, but I don't have a sod farm. Can't do a lot with them, they like to spin under load.

So, looked at Goodyears and Firestones web-sites on AG tires awhile back, and yeah I can tell the difference between the lugs or tread patterns on Radial and Bias Ply, but that doesn't tell me when one is just what the doctor ordered, and when isn't. I've seen monster articulated tractors with both, so obviously both must be ok for Ag conditions (non-road).

Bias Plys have been around forever, and will certainly get the job done for plowing, pulling stumps, etc, but perhaps Radial technologies blow them away. Perhaps Radials cost more up front, but pay for themselves?

Those turf tires are going to go, that's for sure. What to replace them with? What say you?

In my experience, radials wear better, pull better, and ride better. Tire companies also claim that you should also see improved fuel efficiency, but I haven't seen that, but then I added more weight and rack travel when the tires went on, so I didn't expect to see an increase in fuel efficiency. I do know this: Goodyear Dyna Torq II bias tires as well as Firestone Field and Road would last me 2000 hours for the work I do, with a lot of road miles. I now have Firestone 23 degree radials, which now have 2000 hours service and are still 50 %. They were cheaper than Micheline and Good Year radials in my area. I thought the others were just too much money to pay for themselves, but the Firestones have, as they were only about 150 more each than the bias tires. Goodyear radials were near double the price of a bias tire. Just remember the cost of buying new radial tubes, as the bias tubes don't work in radial tires. They are not much more money, just the fact that you need them even if the old tubes are still good. Radial tires flex more in the sidewall, rather than in the tread, and that is harder on tubes. For me to buy a radial is a matter of operating cost, unless I need the all out performance of the radial. You can do some math and see if it works for you. HTH.

Rod

The first thing I will do is load them with CaCl. It's a loader tractor used 6 months for moving snow.

Was also thinking about stobs, rocks,and other debris that could injure the sidewall squished out that the bias would take in the tread area.

Have read on here that at least one farmer loves and swears by them.

The tractor came with them, they are new, so I'll wait and see how they work out.

Mark

Your point about sidewall damage is a real concern. Pretty sure the manufacturers have addressed this with more rubber in the sidewall but if anyone has any first-hand experience, please share.

This new addition has 8 ply radial 13.6 x 38. Rubber to steel ratio is liken to the n series Ford tractors with the 4" front tires. It's all wheel (european mfgr). Even at 8 ply the sidewalls bulge significantly with 18 lbs of air. I run 13 in my Deere.

Mark