Yokohama Off Highway Tires

Radial Skid Steer Tires Improve Skid Steer Performance Thanks to their versatility, skid steers are employed in a variety of tasks and terrain—and manufacturers have responded by delivering numerous tire styles aimed at improving performance in particular applications. There is no one-size-fits-all tire solution to address the demands of every application, however, so operators must select a tire that meets the particular challenges facing them to maximize their investment—considering factors from tread type to construction. The need to improve skid steer performance is a common concern in industries like demolition, waste management, and ag, but tire dealers can benefit too, as one of our Minnesota-based dealers was recently reminded. They got almost four times longer service life from their tires after making the switch from traditional bias R-4s to steel-belted Alliance 550 MultiUse radials. Switching from R4 Bias to Hybrid-Tread Radial Our Minnesota tire dealer uses its skid stee...

Applications that Benefit from Solid Skid Steer Tires Skid steers have built a reputation for versatility, becoming a staple in a wide range of applications spanning a multitude of industries. Whether it’s moving manure on a farm or cleaning up a demoed building in the middle of the city, this workhorse piece of equipment depends on its tires to maximize its performance and enhance its adaptability. The type of tire equipped on a skid steer will greatly influence how it performs in a particular job. Solid tires are often the first choice for skid steers tackling the toughest applications, such as those with a high chance of punctures, working on extremely abrasive surfaces, and where downtime isn’t an option. What Is a Solid Tire? Unlike traditional pneumatic tires which are filled with air, solid tires are made entirely from rubber, offering puncture-proof performance to skid steers operating in even the harshest terrain and drastically lowering the likelihood of downtime. The robust ...

Tractor Tires Cut Farm Fuel Costs Fuel is one of the largest expenses for a farm and while farmers can’t control the cost of fuel, there are some steps they can take to reduce the amount their tractors use—such as ensuring optimal wheel slippage and proper tire inflation pressure. In addition to improving fuel efficiency, optimal wheel slippage and proper pressure can lead to other cost-saving benefits such as decreasing time in the field, reducing yield-sapping soil compaction, and minimizing wear and tear on equipment.   Just how much can you save by improving farm equipment efficiency? A bulletin from Michigan State University Extension estimates that  poor tractor performance wastes nearly 150 million gallons of fuel  each year in the U.S. Tire Slippage  Tire slippage is when the tires turn faster than the ground speed of the tractor, and excessive tire slippage increases fuel consumption. It also leads to more time in the field and causes premature engine w...

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...

  Compact Tractor Tires to Keep You from Falling Behind This Autumn yohta-blog.yokohama-oht.com Compact Tractors for Fall Cleanup Versatility is the reason why compact tractors are the backbone of many landscape operations and small acreages. These workhorses are able to tackle a wide variety of autumn applications thanks in part to their ability to work with a number of attachments, whether a front-end loader for moving firewood or a tow-behind vacuum for collecting leaves. In the end, a compact tractor can save landscape business owners and hobby farmers a considerable amount of time and effort in the fall (and throughout the year). Five Fall-Friendly Compact Tractor Attachments    Leaf Baggers/Vacuums/Sweepers Raking and bagging leaves can take a substantial amount of manual labor, especially if you’re maintaining a large piece—or multiple pieces—of property. There are a handful of attachments that can help with leaf collection, from baggers to vacuums to sweepe...