Radial Tractor Tyres vs Crossply Tractor Tyres

29/05/2013 - Big Tyres

Radial tyres were invented in 1946 and allow the sidewall of the tyre and the tyre tread to work as two independent features. The flexibility of a Radial tyre, together with its strength, are two combined factors which mean a radial tractor tyre absorbs impact shock and bumps more effectively than a crossply tyre. This, in turn, leads to a more comfortable ride and allows the driver to work longer. The flexibility of the sidewall enhances vehicle stability and provides maximum contact of the tyre with the road surface.

The other benefits are reduced fuel consumption and less damage to the site you are working on, as more of the power of the machine is transferred to the tyre, higher productivity can result. The flexibility of the tyre means that it does not tend to overheat and will last longer, so Radial tyres tend to have a longer service life so therefore need replacing less often. Of course, it is important you follow the maximum speed rating shown on the tyre and that speed should not be exceeded.

A radial tyre provides greater comfort, gives better traction with less compaction which can lead to higher crop yielding resulting in higher profitability. Although more expensive initially than a cross ply tyre, the extended wear expectation of radial tyres mean you actually will save money in the long run.

In contrast, a bias tyre or crossply tyre is made of multiple rubber plies which overlap each other and they form a thick layer, resulting in less flexibility which can make it more sensitive to overheating. Therefore all high speed Tractor tyres are of Radial construction. Crossply tyres provide a strong and rigid sidewall which tries to follow the natural lines of the road and this can cause a tyre to overheat when it is used on a hard road surface and this in turn, causes the tyre to wear out more quickly. However, the sidewall of a crossply tyre is more rigid than that of a radial tyre so is more resilient at preventing sidewall damage. Crossply tyres are therefore sometimes used if sidewall damage is a problem.

The crown of a crossply tyre and the sidewall of the tyres are dependent on each other. The tyre does not come into as much contact with the ground as a radial tyre and this may lead to less engine power transmission or more site damage. As it does not absorb as much impact shock, the driver can feel more vibration.

The initial cost of Crossply tractor tyres is cheaper than Radial tractor tyres so they are often an attractive choice to anyone on a budget. The rigid ride a crossply tyre provides can also be a benefit in applications where any tyre bounce would be a problem, such as on telehandlers or forklift machinery, so the rigid sidewall can be an advantage in certain working environments.