Yokohama Off Highway Tires

R-3 and R-3+ Turf Tire Tread Patterns There are a lot of factors to consider when purchasing new tires for your lawnmower, zero-turn mower, or compact tractor, but one of the most important is the tread pattern. A tire’s tread pattern is an indicator of its intended use and will determine the applications in which it’s most successful—and pairing the proper tread pattern to an application can improve everything from productivity to service life (and ultimately profit). R-3 Tread Patterns Turf tires, also known as R-3 tires, are engineered to gently work on delicate grass and other sensitive surfaces without leaving marks. An R-3 tread, like our Galaxy Mighty Mow , commonly features closely spaced geometric blocks that provide traction and stability when operating on uneven ground and deliver flotation to avoid leaving behind unwanted tire tracks or indentations. R-3 turf patterns are also less deep than other tread types. R-3 tires are a common sight on equipment ranging from zero-...

Skid steer loaders (SSLs) perform a multitude of tasks in many different conditions; consequently, a wide variety of tire options are available to maximize their performance. Factors like tire construction (radial, bias, solid) and tread pattern (lug, block, button) can make a huge difference in tire performance and cost over the lifetime of the tire. Tread depth is another important characteristic to consider when choosing the best SSL tire for the job. Below is why “going deep” (on tread) is an ideal solution for many skid steer applications. The Advantages of Extra-Deep Skid Steer Tires Tread Depth for Traction: Whether it’s the seemingly bottomless lugs of our Galaxy Muddy Buddy or the extra-deep block-pattern found on our Galaxy Hulk , a deeper tread, allows a skid steer tire to grip the ground better than a shallower tire. Working together with a tire’s tread pattern, deep lugs also promote self-cleaning, helping a tire remove dirt, mud, and slop for maximum traction on construc...

How to Make Skid Steer Tires Last Longer From moving material on the construction site to pushing manure on the farm to working with waste in recycling centers, we ask a lot of our skid steers—and their tires. Since tires are one of the major operating expenses for skid steers—behind fuel—smart owners and operators take steps to improve tire life as a way to cut costs and grow profits. Keep Your Tires Clean: It’s easy to overlook potential tire problems when your skid steers' tires are covered with mud or manure, or caked in concrete dust. Keeping your tires clean makes it easier to spot bumps, bulges, and cracks on your tires, along with blow-out-threatening debris that might get wedged in the tread or bead area. Inspect Tires Often: In addition to looking for deformities on your skid steer tires, inspect the tread frequently for uneven wear. It’s common for a skid steer to wear one set of tires—front or rear—faster than the other, or even one side faster than the other. Keep...

 The new Galaxy AT Grip Steel steel-belted skid steer radial from Yokohama Off-Highway Tires was designed from the ground up in close consultation with skid steer operators and industrial tire dealers. The result is a revolutionary, all-around performance design engineered to deliver higher performance and longer tire life for skid steers. “What we found when we sat down to talk to skid steer operators and tire dealers about skid steer radials is that the market is ready for the benefits radials deliver — more hours, better traction, better ride, and overall lower cost of ownership,” says Dhananjay Bisht, Product Manager — Earthmoving, Construction and Industrial Tires for Yokohama Off-Highway Tires America, Inc. “But what we also heard loud and clear was that they really wanted a strong sidewall. The feature they admired most about their old bias-ply tires was the stability and durability of the sidewalls. So we developed a radial tire that delivers the footprint and ride benefit...

Safe Site Visits for OTR Tire Salespeople, Field Engineers, and Technicians Whether it’s working around massive, fast-moving equipment on complex sites or handling pressurized tires, the job of an OTR tire salesperson, field service engineer, or technician is one with many potential hazards. Everyone who has worked in the tire industry for an extended period of time seems to know of someone who has had a close call or even been injured while visiting a site, which is why it’s vital that step one when visiting a site is to stay safety-focused. The Challenges of Servicing OTR Tires OTR tire personnel must contend with gargantuan equipment, heavy tires under high pressure, and busy sites in all manner of conditions—service calls commonly take place after dark, in every type of weather, and on every surface imaginable. Safety must be the top priority at every service call. Checking In on OTR Tire Site Safety Recognizing the risks facing OTR tire salespeople, field service engineers, and ...

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 ...