Winterproof your farm tires: Essential tips for cold season

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Winter is coming, and with it comes colder temperatures, wet or icy ground and snow in some areas. Despite the changing weather conditions, you still need to get work done, and farm tire maintenance is crucial to staying productive, no matter the weather.

“Livestock still needs to be fed. In some areas, snow needs to be moved or fieldwork finished,” said Greg Jones, senior manager of global field engineering at Firestone Ag. “Regardless of where you live, winter brings challenges. In the north, it snows. In the south, it rains. You need your tires to keep up throughout the season.”

Taking steps to safeguard your tires from harsh winter weather and conditions can help you avoid needing replacement tires come spring.

Here are four practical tips to help you make the most of your farm tires and equipment this winter.

1. Maintain tire pressure when temperatures drop.

Regularly checking and adjusting your tire air pressure is one of the most effective ways to extend tire life and carry heavy loads efficiently. Checking tire pressure in the winter is especially important since it is directly related to temperature.

“As temperatures rise, so does tire inflation pressure, and vice versa,” Jones said. “You need to be extra aware of your tire air pressure at this time since the colder weather causes drops in tire inflation pressure.”

Check your tire pressure daily or weekly, depending on your equipment usage. This helps to avoid underinflation or overinflation, which can both damage the tire and affect performance.

2. Be cautious of rough, frozen ground.

Take extra care driving over rutted and rough frozen ground and stubble, especially for livestock operations and when clearing snow.

“When temperatures drop, mud can freeze into hard clumps and stubble gets harder,” Jones said. “Driving over these is like driving over a sharp rock in the field. These frozen obstacles, which are common for northern U.S. farmers, can cause punctures or breaks in your tires.”

Whenever possible, minimize driving over rough surfaces and smooth out main driving paths to protect your tires from sharp, frozen debris.

3. Safeguard your tires during winter storage.

For equipment that won’t see regular use during the winter, proper storage can help keep tires in good condition. Whenever possible, store equipment inside. Tires left outside on ice or snow are more prone to cracks as the rubber stiffens in low temperatures.

“When temperatures get cold enough, the elasticity of the rubber stops working as usual,” Jones said. “Instead of stretching and relaxing, it becomes brittle and can crack.”

For equipment in winter storage, adjust tire inflation pressure to avoid finding a flat tire come spring. Due to permeation, a tire will typically lose around 1 pound per square inch per month.

To account for this natural, slow loss of PSI over time regularly check the tire pressure of your tires in storage and adjust to account for this change.

4. Optimize your tires for winter conditions.

Winter across the country can create conditions that challenge tire traction. Tires built for fieldwork might not perform well in snow and ice.

If you need to put your equipment to work, these tips can help make them more efficient.

• Adjust a tire’s footprint: Wet ground can heighten soil compaction and rutting, while reducing a tractor’s traction. Ensure your tire inflation pressure is optimized for the weight of the tractor. Properly inflated tires allow tractors to create an ideal footprint, spreading the machine’s weight over a larger area to minimize soil compaction and enhance traction.

• Add weight: Adding weight to your equipment can help improve traction on icy or snowy ground. Extra weight can prevent slipping and help maintain stability. “Adding weight carefully and optimizing your tire pressure to the new weight can give you extra grip for winter work,” Jones said.

• Use tire chains: Tire chains can be a good option in winter conditions by providing extra traction on icy surfaces. Tire chains can give equipment the extra grip it needs in slippery conditions. Work with a local tire dealer and experts to ensure you are getting the correct chains for your tires and are installing them correctly to avoid damage.