Spring (Fieldwork) Has Sprung

After this year’s long, unpredictable winter, there are a couple of things we can expect as tractors, spreaders and sprayers start rolling over the next few weeks. 

The first thing, especially east of the Missouri River, is mud.

The second thing, at any farm, fertilizer plant or elevator, is unrelenting pressure to cover as many acres as possible. Fast.

That’s where we come into play. 

We’ve got tires designed specifically to keep farm machinery rolling as efficiently and safely as possible. Like our fast flotation radials rated at up to 62 mph on the highway—fully loaded. Or special R-1 designs like the Alliance 550 Multi-Purpose tire, with a dense centerline block pattern for a smooth ride and low wear on road surfaces and directional lugs for whatever Mother Nature throws at us.

Don't overlook the long-term impacts of spring fieldwork

But while there’s a real need for speed, farmers also have to look at the long-term impacts of spring fieldwork. One of the worst is soil compaction, a force so destructive scientists call it “the invisible epidemic,” strangling 14 to 70 percent of the yield from crops. Running on wet soils in the next few weeks could affect yields not just this season, but for years to come.

We've been fighting soil compaction for decades through innovative tire design. For instance: Many of our flotation tread patterns are designed to minimize “hot spots” of compaction pressure on the soil. Carcasses are engineered and constructed to maximize not just the dimensions, but the even-ness of the footprint.

And many of our tires, including flotation tires and our advanced increased flexion (IF/VF) radials are specifically built to minimize soil compaction.

For more information on how tires can help minimize soil compaction, read our free soil compaction white paper.