What pressure should tractor tires run at?

On a tractor tire, the air carries the load, not the rubber. That is why inflation pressure directly affects tire life, traction and fuel use. The same tractor on the same tires slips less in the field and wears less on the road when the pressure is right.

There is no single “right pressure”

A car has one number on the door frame. A tractor does not: the right pressure depends on tire size, ply rating or load index, the load carried and the speed. Tire manufacturers publish load/pressure tables that list, for each pressure, the maximum load the tire can carry at a given speed.

As a rough idea, radial rear tractor tires are often run at about 0.8–1.6 bar in the field, while bias-ply tires usually need more. Front tires, especially under a front loader, may need more pressure than the rears. Always check the load table for your exact tire.

If pressure is too low

• The sidewall flexes too much and heats up, leading to cracks and ply separation.
• Tube-type tires can slip on the rim and tear off the valve.
• Steering gets heavy and the tractor sways on the road.
• Tubeless tires can unseat from the rim and lose air.

If pressure is too high

• The footprint shrinks, so traction drops and slip increases.
• Soil is compacted more, which costs yield.
• The centre of the tread wears faster and the ride is harsh.
• The tire is more vulnerable to impact damage.

Field versus road

Setting pressure for the field wears tires fast on the road; setting it for the road reduces field traction. During long road haulage periods raise pressure to the manufacturer's road value, and lower it again for field work. Always measure pressure cold, before work starts.

Trailers and heavy loads

Trailer tires carry load and usually run at higher pressure. Checking pressure before a fully loaded trip removes the most common preventable cause of blowouts. To see how much a trailer can carry on its tires, use “Attach at rear → Trailer” in the visualizer on the home page; it estimates capacity from the tire load index.

How to measure

• Use a gauge that reads low pressures accurately.
• Take several readings and use the average.
• If the tire is water-ballasted, turn the wheel so the valve is at the top.
• Left and right tires on the same axle should match.

Always take pressure values from the manufacturer's load/pressure table for your tire. The ranges here are only a general guide.