Tire Damage Detective Work 

Tires keep valuable construction machinery moving, contribute significantly to their productivity, and represent one of the most costly consumables in relation to both compact and heavy equipment alike. One way you can make the most of this investment is to routinely check your equipment’s tires, understand what signs of wear or damage are saying about their use, and use that knowledge to extend tire life (maximizing performance and minimizing cost) or find the best replacement tire possible (forestalling future problems).

Tires vs. Tracks 

John Deere or Case? Ford or Chevy? Tire or tracks?  After decades of discussion, farmers still disagree over the appropriate answers to these questions. While we won’t weigh in on Deere vs. Case or Ford vs. Chevrolet, we do have an opinion (although it might be a bit biased) about the superiority of tires to tracks and we’re pretty sure that, after reading this, you’ll agree that tires are equal to or exceed tracks in performance, while costing substantially less.  

Controlling Soil Compaction During Planting 

Planting time can be a difficult period on the farm—the weather rarely cooperates, which can keep farmers from entering their fields, and delayed planting eventually starts costing yields. Although it’s easy to feel a sense of urgency at this time of year, farmers should proceed with caution. Fields are particularly prone to soil compaction in the spring, and damage done during planting can not only negatively impact this year’s yields but future crops as well. Keep reading for a few tips to minimize soil compaction at planting.

Compare a logging operation of today with those of the not-so-distant past and one thing is obvious—the machines on site have grown considerably in both size and power. While the need to increase operational productivity and efficiency is driving the adoption of larger, more powerful equipment, it is also presenting new challenges. Luckily, there’s a simple step operators can take to overcome these challenges and make the most of their tires (and, subsequently, their machines): check tire air pressure frequently. 

Farm tractors continue to evolve—getting larger and more powerful, for example—in order to help farmers increase operational efficiency and productivity. Although the use of massive tractors on modern farms allows for more work to be done, in less time, it has also created new challenges that threaten to negate the advantages offered by these titanic tractors. One of the most notable challenges with today’s high-horsepower tractors is power hop.