Though the cutting and harvesting of timber is the primary concern of logging operations, the protection of the forest floor from heavy equipment is also a priority for forward-thinking operations. Increasingly large and powerful logging machinery could cause damage to the ground and rip up the root map, slowing the time it takes for the forest to regenerate, reducing the rate of biomass production (resulting in less income), and making landowners unhappy. Fortunately for loggers—and forests—the use of flotation forestry tires is a simple way to minimize compaction and rutting.
Tigercat 630E Grapple Skidder with Primex Log Stomper Xtreme Flotation Tires size 35.5-32 on the inside and a 24.5-32 on the outside
Traditional tires and logging methods can tear up delicate forests soils, cause compaction, and leave ruts behind—all of which lead to increased erosion, pooling of water, and more difficult growing conditions for new trees. These issues are only compounded by larger, more powerful machinery and warmer, shorter winters, which have created longer mud seasons and conditions that are prime for soil compaction and rutting.
Flotation tires have long been a staple on farms because of their ability to reduce soil compaction and rutting, along with other benefits such as improved traction, reduced fuel costs, and increased machine productivity and efficiency. With a proven track record on the farm, forestry flotation tires are finding their way onto today’s super-powerful logging equipment—transferring the benefits of flotation technology from the fields of the farm to the forest.
Flotation forestry tires are able to carry the same load as a standard forestry tire, but at a lower air inflation pressure which produces a larger footprint and distributes the weight of logging machinery over a larger area. A reduction in the pressure placed on the ground in turn reduces soil compaction on the forest floor.
Flotation tires for forestry equipment don’t just benefit the woods, they benefit businesses. Because of their larger footprint, flotation tires are much better in wet and muddy conditions, delivering better traction and reducing slippage, which allows machines to get into tough terrain and out of the stickiest situations—leading to everything from improved productivity to lower fuel consumption.
Tires play a vital role in today’s logging operations, and their impact can be felt everywhere from machine performance today to forest regrowth decades from now. Our Primex line of forestry tires has a low-pressure solution for all types of operations and all kinds of conditions. Contact your local dealer today to discover which Primex flotation tire is right for your operation and how it can benefit your business.