Plan Your Pre‑Harvest Tyre Audit (4–6 Weeks Before First Cut)
Book a full tyre and wheel audit 4–6 weeks before the first cut, then re‑check after the first hard week. This window allows time to replace casings, repair wheels and secure stock before July/August. Always chock wheels and work on level ground.
Tools and consumables:
- Chalk or paint marker and a service log
- Accurate pressure gauge and IR thermometer
- Torque wrench, wheel‑nut indicators, jack, stands and chocks
- Soapy water, bead lubricant, wire brush and cleaning rags
Create a record for each machine: tyre sizes, recommended cold pressures, torque values, visible defects and estimated axle loads. Baselines make later checks faster and help you extend the life of farm tyres.
Confirm Tyre And Wheel Specification Before You Adjust Anything
- Photograph both sidewalls and record: size, LI/SI, IF/VF markings, ply rating, ECE codes and date code. Note current cold pressures per wheel.
- Verify rims match the casing: width, diameter and bead seat type (W/DW/TW), especially for IF/VF. See our guide to rim profiles and bead seats for IF/VF tyres.
- Confirm PCD, centre bore, offset and dish. Check tyres match across each axle for size, construction and close date codes.
- If the setup looks marginal or mismatched, review options in how to choose the right agricultural wheels before altering pressures.
Inspect Beads, Sidewalls And Tread Step‑By‑Step
- Bead and rim seat: if safely supported, deflate to inspect for rust scale, flat spots, cuts, trapped debris and chafing. Clean and mark defects. Heavy corrosion or bead damage needs expert assessment before harvest.
- Sidewalls and shoulders: check for weather checking, bulges, stubble/stone cuts and exposed cords. Remove from service any tyre with a bulge or visible cords. See wheel refurbishment vs replacement: safety first.
- Tread: measure depth; look for base cracking, heel‑toe wear, stone drilling and embedded objects. Mark, remove and re‑inspect. Replace casings with widespread cracking or multiple penetrations.
This image was generated with AI and may not always represent the product or service exactly.
Check Valves, Liners And Previous Repairs
- Soap‑test valve cores and bases. Replace perished grommets, damaged TR stems and missing caps. Fit metal valve caps with seals on all roaded tyres.
- Tube‑type: inspect for creasing, chafe and patch quality; confirm tube size/type matches the tyre.
- Tubeless: inspect inner liner where accessible. Reject string/plug repairs in sidewalls; use professional vulcanised repairs suited to injury location and size.
Wheel, Fixings And Torque Control
- Fit or replace wheel‑nut indicators and align them in straight lines or triangles for easy daily checks.
- Torque cold to the manufacturer’s figure using a cross pattern; re‑torque after the first 50–100 km or first loaded day.
- Inspect hubs, studs and centres for elongation, cracks, fretting and paint dust trails. Know whether the fitment is stud‑ or hub‑piloted and follow the correct sequence. Rectify any doubt on clamping surfaces, threads or tapers before road work.
Set Pressures By Measured Axle Load (Field And Road)
- Weigh each axle empty and fully loaded on a farm bridge or portable pads. Record weights against tyre size and LI/SI.
- Use manufacturer tables to set cold road pressures for 40–50 km/h and separate field pressures where permitted.
- Apply IF/VF allowances correctly. Protect casings from under‑inflation on the road. Define clear presets if using CTIS.
- For a deeper explanation of load, speed and inflation, read VF/IF tyre load and inflation setup.
Heat And Speed Compliance For 40–50 Km/h Road Moves
- Confirm your LI/SI covers gross axle loads at target speed with margin; upgrade casings if loads or routes push limits.
- Monitor heat on shuttle runs with an IR thermometer. If temperatures climb quickly between stops, add pressure, reduce load or extend cool‑down intervals.
- Plan routes: shorten runs in hot weather, avoid sustained gradients and balance loads across axles. See agricultural roadwork tyre load and speed compliance.
This image was generated with AI and may not always represent the product or service exactly.
Balance, Alignment And Runout To Protect Bearings And Ride
- Jack safely and spin each wheel. Use a dial gauge to check radial and axial runout; straighten or replace bent rims.
- Dynamically balance high‑speed trailer wheels with weights or beads.
- Check trailer axle tracking and kingpin/bush wear. Misalignment causes rapid, uneven wear and heat build‑up that pressure changes cannot fix.
Safe Bead Seating, Mounting And Inflation
- Prepare: clean bead seats, use approved bead lubricant and replace O‑rings or flaps as required. Confirm tube or tubeless configuration.
- Inflate using a restraint or safe stand‑off with a remote clip‑on chuck. Stand clear and never exceed recommended seating pressure.
- Finish by setting cold pressures, soap‑testing beads and valves, and re‑torquing after initial service. Large agricultural tyres are best handled by trained fitters from Fieldens OTR Ltd.
Puncture Prevention, Flotation And Upgrade Options
- Use Fieldens Polycoat Tyrefill on support machines (telehandlers, straw chasers) to eliminate puncture downtime. Avoid Tyrefill on tyres used for sustained 40–50 km/h road speeds due to heat build‑up.
- Upgrade combine and trailer fitments to flotation or IF/VF to cut ground pressure and improve stability.
- Bespoke ISO 9001 wheels ensure correct offset, dish and PCD for wider tyres. Fieldens OTR Ltd supplies complete wheel and tyre packages from Michelin, BKT and ATG to suit your loads and lanes.
Book Mobile Fitting, Balancing And Supply Before July/August
- Secure combine and trailer tyres early and confirm LI/SI and IF/VF options while stock is available.
- Plan mobile fitting, balancing and re‑torque visits around machine movements to minimise downtime.
- Fieldens OTR Ltd provides on‑farm audits, emergency call‑outs and full agricultural supply across our service areas. Arrange your slot now and see our delivery and fitting options.
FAQs
How Early Should I Book A Pre‑Harvest Tyre Check?
Book 4–6 weeks before the first cut. That leaves time to order stock, plan fitting and re‑check after the first hard week.
What Pressure Should I Run On The Road Vs In The Field?
Weigh axles and use manufacturer tables. Set a safe 40–50 km/h road pressure, and a lower field pressure where allowed by the casing.
Do I Need IF/VF Tyres For Harvest Work?
IF/VF helps at higher loads and lower pressures, improving ride and soil protection. They are valuable on heavy trailers and modern combines.
Are Wheel‑Nut Indicators Worth Fitting?
Yes. They show movement at a glance and support correct torque control, reducing wheel loss risk on busy road moves.
When Should A Tyre Be Removed From Service?
Remove any tyre with sidewall bulges, exposed cords, severe bead damage or repeated punctures. Replace or professionally repair before use.
Can You Balance Agricultural Trailer Wheels On‑Farm?
Yes. We offer mobile balancing. It reduces vibration, protects bearings and improves ride at 40–50 km/h.