Yokohama Off Highway Tires

Best Practices for Safer Winter Ag Tire Inspection In order to ensure everything is ready to roll in the spring, it’s common to inspect the tires of tractors, implements, and other farm equipment in the winter. Farms are filled with potential hazards and winter only ups the ante of something going sideways. Factors like short dark days, bitter cold, slick snow, and treacherous ice all pose additional challenges to farmers, tire dealers, and other ag tire personnel. Ben Franklin famously said, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Follow his sage advice and take a few simple steps to improve your safety while working or visiting the farm this winter. Cold-Weather Accidents According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , there were more than 20,000 ice, sleet, and snow-related injuries in 2017 in the U.S. Whether working in the field, yard, or outbuildings, jobs on the farm are more exposed to these types of injuries compared to those in many other occupations. It’s not just...

Improvements Provide Huge Opportunity for Smaller Equipment The federal government recently made a historic commitment to massive infrastructure investment in the U.S. and is just beginning to spend billions of dollars to repair and improve roads, bridges, railways, and airports. These projects will put a lot of machines to work—from massive earth movers to compact loaders—in turn, the role of smaller equipment in day-to-day operations is growing. A lot is riding on equipment (and its tires) as the nation and construction businesses alike make the most of this excellent opportunity. What’s Driving the Need for Smaller Equipment? Unlike past infrastructure projects, many of which were built from the ground up in underdeveloped areas where huge earthmoving equipment could maneuver, most of today’s projects will involve repairing or replacing existing infrastructure in confined urban areas and on existing roads. A good comparison to today’s infrastructure projects is the “last mile” in tr...

Corn, Tires, and Old Adages The saying knee-high by the fourth of July was long used by farmers to judge the success of their corn crops—it means that growing conditions have been favorable, the crops are off to a good start, and big yields are expected come fall—and the adage remains popular today, despite being antiquated. Innovation in everything from seeds and treatments to equipment and tires has enabled earlier planting and faster-growing, higher-yielding corn. Origins of the Adage The roots of knee-high by the fourth of July are debatable. The Farmers Almanac is well-known for sharing old-timey wisdom and folklore and is commonly associated with the popularization of the saying. Many who date the adage to colonial times also commonly claim that the phrase is misinterpreted and that it’s not a measure of corn to a person standing in a field, but rather to that of a person on horseback. Some farmers think the idiom is a more modern invention, and date the saying to the turn of t...

New Alliance Agristar II Radial Tire Size Introduced Yokohama Off-Highway Tires America, Inc. (YOHTA) announced the release of the new 800/70R38 size of its popular Alliance Agri Star II farm radial tire . The new, larger size features a 173D high-load rating and is rated for speeds of up to 40 mph. The 800/70R38size extends the line to even more 4-wheel-drive tractors, which benefit from the dual-angle lugs, stubble guard compound and high-stability polyester casing of the Agri Star II. "Larger 4WD tractors and combines can really put the performance benefits of the Agri Star II to work," says Blaine Cox, National Product Manager—Agriculture, Golf & Turf for Yokohama Off-Highway Tires America. "Our Stratified Layer Technology lugs combine a single-angle layer on top of a multi-angle layer for more versatility and biting edges, reinforced by dual step-tie bars to minimize lug shuffling. Those lugs create a footprint 13% wider than comparably sized radials and overlap...

Best Practices for Safer Winter Ag Tire Inspection In order to ensure everything is ready to roll in the spring, it’s common to inspect the tires of tractors, implements, and other farm equipment in the winter. Farms are filled with potential hazards and winter only ups the ante of something going sideways. Factors like short dark days, bitter cold, slick snow, and treacherous ice all pose additional challenges to farmers, tire dealers, and other ag tire personnel. Ben Franklin famously said, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Follow his sage advice and take a few simple steps to improve your safety while working or visiting the farm this winter. Cold-Weather Accidents According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , there were more than 20,000 ice, sleet, and snow-related injuries in 2017 in the U.S. Whether working in the field, yard, or outbuildings, jobs on the farm are more exposed to these types of injuries compared to those in many other occupations. It’s not just...

Telehandlers Rise to New Challenges Telehandlers were developed to act as a forklift in rough terrain—a specialized tool, for a specific application, and occasional use. It didn’t take long for operators to discover just how versatile telehandlers are and for them to outgrow their original application. Telehandlers are more adaptable than forklifts and more compact and maneuverable than cranes, which has led them to be used in all manner of construction projects, including general construction, roofing, framing, masonry, demolition, commercial, retail, road, and bridgework. As the applications telehandlers are used in have grown, so have the available tire options for them. There are myriad options available for telehandlers, but selecting the right tire can have a huge impact on a machine’s performance by improving productivity, reducing downtime, and enhancing operator comfort. The right tires can even reduce tire cost per hour. The Challenge Facing Telehandler Tires Tires play a h...

Best Practices for Maintaining Solid Tires in Waste and Recycling Applications Solid tires play an important role in keeping equipment like wheel loaders and skid steers productive and efficient in waste management applications. Learning how to identify the common culprits of sub-par solid tire performance and adopting some simple best practices can pay off significantly, both for your tires and your operation. How Long do Solid Tires Last in Waste Applications? Solid tires are a popular choice for machines working in waste applications thanks to their puncture-proof performance and extended service life— solid tires can last three to five times longer than their pneumatic and foam-filled counterparts. That said, a number of factors contribute to just how long a tire will last in waste management applications, including the surface they’re used on, the duty cycle, the maintenance program, the person operating the equipment, the hazards they face, and tire selection. Although some fact...

How to Give Winter Construction Tire Performance a Boost For many construction companies, the arrival of winter poses a number of challenges, including operating on snowy, icy, frozen, and wet ground. Since tires are the contact point between construction equipment and the ground, taking a few simple steps can ensure efficiency, increase service life, reduce the risk of downtime, and in the end put more money in your pocket this winter. Inspect Tires Frequent visual inspections of equipment tires are a good habit to practice year-round and are particularly important to do in winter weather and cold conditions. Icy and wet weather puts a priority on traction, so make sure tires have enough tread life left to perform at their best. Keep an eye out for common culprits like cracking and chunking, which can cause tire failure and downtime. You’ll also want to make sure there is no puncture-threatening debris stuck in the tread. Ice and snow build-up can also lead to poor performance and une...

Mizell Development Depends on Primex Tires for Reforestation Applications What happens to a parcel of land after its trees have been collected and processed is an often overlooked aspect of timber harvesting, however, site preparation and replanting can account for as much as a fifth of a timber harvest budget. While timber harvesting and reforestation share similar equipment, site preparation and replanting provide unique challenges, something Adam Mizell, of Mizell Development, knows all about—and is why he chooses Primex tires. Reforestation Benefits Mizell Development is a reforestation contractor working in northern Florida and southern Georgia. Reforestation projects—like those Mizell runs—help make land more sustainable and profitable . In 15 to 20 years, the trees replanted by Mizell and his crew will be ready for the pulp mill. In 30 years, the land owner will have a stand of valuable sawlogs. Studies have shown that slash and loblolly pine planted into prepared sites can gr...

How OTR Tire Personnel Can Safely Inspect and Service Tires Selling and servicing OTR tires presents some unique risks to personnel in the field. From the massive size and weight of mining and construction equipment to the unfavorable conditions they tend to operate in—often at night and in all types of weather—OTR salespeople, field service engineers, and technicians commonly face a complex environment with numerous potential hazards. Prioritizing safety and following a few best practices when inspecting tires in the field are simple steps toward preventing mishaps and ensuring everyone returns home safe and sound at the end of the day. Tips for Inspecting OTR Tires On-Site Checking the air pressure, inspecting wear, and servicing tires on equipment in the field gives dealers a firsthand perspective on the terrain, duty cycles, and other challenges facing their customers. On-site inspections allow dealers to make well-informed tire recommendations and ultimately help their customers ...

Application-Specific OTR Tires Application-specific tires are engineered to meet the unique demands imposed by particular jobs, such as the weight of the equipment itself and the load it will carry; the speed and distance it will travel; and the terrain in which it will operate. Outfitting equipment with application-specific tires is an excellent step to take toward controlling costs.   Tires affect the bottom line of a business and influence everything from the performance of equipment to downtime to fuel efficiency. Application-specific tires are also generally the longer-lasting option and provide a lower total cost of ownership. A number of factors go into designing and selecting an application-specific OTR tire, including: Tire construction (solid, radial, or bias) Tread pattern Tread depth Rubber compound The Tire and Rim Association (TRA)  has developed a uniform classification system for OTR tires which is followed by all manufacturers—to assist in understanding a tire...

Make These Common Farm Tire Mistakes a Thing of the Past It’s not just common for people to make the same mistake over and over again, it’s science . The human brain isn’t wired to learn from errors. Rather than admitting to making a mistake, it searches for anything but itself to incriminate, then reinforces the bad behavior. This explains why we see so many farmers repeatedly making the same tire mistakes. Fortunately, it’s possible to break the cycle by looking to the future instead of dwelling on the past. Five Common Farm Tire Mistakes Stop making these five common farm tire mistakes.   1. Not Regularly Checking Inflation Pressure Whether your equipment is working on soil in the field or concrete in the yard, inflation pressure matters. Operating tires at the proper inflation pressure can provide a host of benefits, including improved performance and fuel efficiency, reduced soil compaction, longer service life, and less downtime. To get the most out of your tires, know t...

What is More Fuel-Efficient, Tires or Tracks? Tractors are the engine of a farm, pulling everything from planting implements like seeders in the spring to hauling carts during harvest in the fall. Because tractors are the primary power source on the farm, the expense of keeping them fueled is significant—most years, fuel accounts for about 5% of a farmer’s overall costs . Given the considerable expense of fuel, even small differences can result in large returns—which begs the question, what is more fuel-efficient: tires or tracks? NTTL 2012 Study   The University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Nebraska Tractor Test Lab (NTTL) has made the most notable comparison of the fuel efficiency of wheeled tractors vs. tractors equipped with tracks. In 2012, they studied the fuel consumption of two tractors—a Case Steiger 600 and Case Steiger 600 QuadTrac—in a variety of field conditions and load scenarios.   On the Road  On hard surfaces like asphalt and concrete, tires far surpass tracks i...

  Five Construction Tire Best Practices for Safer Sites    Tires are one of the unsung heroes of a construction site—they often travel at high speeds, carry heavy loads, work non-stop, and operate in challenging terrain. By establishing a few simple tire safety best practices, construction business owners and fleet managers can take a significant step toward improving the safety of their operators and equipment. 5 Construction Tire Safety Best Practices  Establishing the construction tire safety best practices listed below at your operation will not only encourage safer construction sites, but can also help boost productivity, reduce downtime, and ultimately increase profitability. 1. Select an Application-Specific Tire  Construction tires are commonly mounted on huge machinery moving massive loads. One of the best steps a construction business owner or fleet manager can take to improve the safety (and productivity) of their equipment is to outfit it with a...