Equipment

AGRICULTURAL

MU Guide
PUBLISHED BY UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI EXTENSION extension.missouri.edu

Tractor Tire and Ballast Management

William W. Casady, Department of Agricultural Engineering

Careful management of ballast and tire inflation determined when the tractor is placed in service. An
pressure can maximize tractive efficiency, minimize optimum configuration of ballast and tire pressures
compaction, increase tractor drivetrain life and increase is generally a compromise between maximum power
profitability. transfer and acceptable levels of soil compaction.
Tractive efficiency measures how well a tractor
uses the power available at the axle to pull an imple- Tractive efficiency
ment through the soil. Improving tractive efficiency Tractive efficiency is the fraction of power avail-
reduces costs through improved fuel efficiency and able at the axle that is actually delivered to an imple-
increases the productivity of your tractor. Improving ment through the drawbar. Power is transmitted most
tractive efficiency doesn’t usually require an invest- efficiently to surfaces that do not deform under pres-
ment in new equipment. The time spent in improving sure and where traction is great enough to prevent the
tractive efficiency provides immediate fuel savings wheels from slipping (Figure 1). Tractive efficiency on
and improved performance. soils is limited both by rolling resistance and by wheel
Lightly ballasted tractors and tire inflation pres- slip. Maximum power is available at the peak of each
sures maintained at minimum levels for safe operation of the curves in Figure 1 where tractor parameters are
and satisfactory tire life also protect the soil. Overin- commonly optimized to allow 8 to 15 percent slip.
flated tractor tires are a common cause of poor tractive Power is limited by excessive rolling resistance on the
efficiency and compaction. Large forces from overin- left side of the curves and by excessive wheel slip on
flated tires and over-ballasted tractors compact the soil, the right side of the curves. Maximum tractive effi-
squeezing soil particles closely together and reducing ciency results from a compromise between minimizing
pore space. Crops grown in soils damaged by compac- rolling resistance and minimizing wheel slip.
tion are less likely to survive moisture extremes such as
heavy rain and droughts. Low inflation pressures and
properly ballasted tractors minimize the forces applied
to the soil surface, which minimizes compaction and 90
improves long-term productivity of the soil. Concrete
The best approach to maximizing tractor perfor-
Tractive efficiency (percent)

mance and minimizing compaction is to first select 80

an equipment set that is best suited to the tractor that Firm soil
will pull it. Ideally, each piece of equipment should be
70
sized so that the tractor delivers maximum power to
the soil at speeds of 4 to 5 miles per hour. If a trac- Tilled soil
tor is used for both primary and secondary tillage or 60
light-duty work such as planting, the primary tillage
Soft or sandy soil
implements should be relatively narrow and the light-
duty implements should be wider so that each imple- 50
ment requires similar total draft forces when pulled at
appropriate speeds.
When practical limitations such as cost or width 40
0 5 10 20 30 40
restrictions prevent choosing implements that are well
Wheel slip (percent)
matched to the tractor, maximum performance can be
Power is limited by rolling resistance
achieved only by adjusting ballast and tire pressures
throughout the season. In practice, except for front- Power is limited by wheel slip
end weights, tractor ballast is often considered fixed. Figure 1. Maximum power is available at the peak of each curve
A suitable optimization for a variety of uses should be — a compromise between rolling resistance and wheel slip.

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 Modern tractors are designed to transmit large mum speeds of at least 4 or 5 miles per hour. Pulling
amounts of power to the soil. Transmitting that power an implement at higher speeds reduces both drivetrain
requires large frictional forces, or traction, at the soil wear and soil compaction when the tractor is prop-
surface. Traction can be increased by increasing either erly ballasted. The combination of smaller implements
weight or contact area. Additional weight creates pulled at higher speeds reduces the weight needed to
greater forces at the soil surface, causing greater soil achieve maximum tractive efficiency, which minimizes
compaction and increased soil strength. The increased the pressure applied to the soil surface and reduces soil
soil strength resists the forces applied by a tire as it compaction.
transmits power to implements in contact with the
soil, but the additional weight causes a deeper track, Ballast management
which increases rolling resistance. Wide tires and dual Ballast should be used to achieve just enough trac-
tires increase contact area, flotation and traction, and tion to transmit power to the ground without exces-
reduce both depth of track and compaction. sive wheel slip. Some power is always lost to wheel
slip. Excess ballast causes a deeper track that increases
Soil compaction rolling resistance. Power is lost from an over-ballasted
Soil compaction is an increase in bulk density and tractor because the wheel must climb out of the deeper
a decrease in pore space of the soil that is often caused track that it creates. Optimum ballast is a compromise
by applying pressure to the soil with tractors and other between wheel slip and rolling resistance. Eliminating
heavy equipment such as trucks, combines and grain wheel slip by adding ballast does not maximize power
carts. Compaction can cause a physical barrier to nor- transmitted through the tractor drawbar.
mal healthy root growth, causing symptoms of water Tilled or soft soils require more ballast for traction.
stress and nutrient stress. The effects of reduced pore Tillage reduces soil strength, which increases the depth
space are reduced water infiltration, water holding of tracks and reduces traction. More power is lost to
capacity, and air exchange. both rolling resistance and wheel slip on tilled or soft
In years when moisture is either in short sup- soils than on no-till or firm soils. Loose or slippery resi-
ply or excessive, the pore space in a well-structured due can also cause high amounts of slip -- even on oth-
soil acts as a reservoir and conduit system for water, erwise firm soils.
buffering the effects of moisture extremes. An ideal Ballast should be distributed between the front and
soil is composed of about 50 percent pore space allo- rear of the tractor in the correct proportions to achieve
cated equally to air and water. Pore space also allows maximum tractive efficiency and stability (Table 1).
roots to displace soil as they grow. But heavy wheel The location of the drawbar on a tractor causes weight
traffic, especially under wet soil conditions, damages transfer from the front axle to the rear axle when the
soil structure and packs soil particles closely together, tractor is pulling an implement. Weight transfer is
reducing pore space. Tightly packed soil is a serious especially evident on a two-wheel-drive tractor when
condition for plants. Roots encounter a physical bar- the front end becomes so light that steering becomes
rier to growth because there is nowhere to move the difficult.
soil, and the reservoir and conduit system for air and
water is shut down. Any practice that minimizes soil Table 1. Front and rear weight distribution.
pressure also minimizes compaction. Maximizing trac-
Weight distribution
tive efficiency and minimizing compaction are often
Tractor design / Implement type Front Rear
compatible goals and both increase profitability.
Two-wheel drive / Trailing implement 25% 75%
Managing tractor parameters Two-wheel drive / Semi-mounted implement 30% 70%
There are three ways to maximize tractive effi-
Two-wheel drive / Mounted implement 35% 65%
ciency of tractors and to minimize compaction: power
management, ballast management, and tire inflation Front-wheel assist / Trailing implement 40% 60%
pressure management. Front-wheel assist / Mounted implement 45% 55%

Power management Four-wheel drive / Trailing implement 55% 45%

Tractor drivetrains are not designed to provide Four-wheel drive / Mounted implement 60% 40%
maximum power in lower gears. Maximum power
delivered at low speeds requires large forces that A similar effect occurs when adding or removing
can cause premature wear on drivetrains. Maximum ballast especially to the front weight bracket because
power delivered at higher speeds requires smaller soil it is not centered over the front axle. Adding ballast to
forces and smaller traction requirements. Implements the bracket on the front of a tractor reduces the weight
with large draft requirements, such as primary tillage on the rear axle. For example, adding 100 pounds on
tools, should be sized so they can be operated at mini- the front increases total tractor weight by 100 pounds

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but may increase the weight on the front axle by 150 radial or bias ply. Radial tires will have a star marking;
pounds and reduce the weight on the rear axle by 50 (*, **, etc.). Bias ply tires will have a ply rating (4-ply,
pounds. 6-ply, etc.). Tire size codes are based on tire design and
The static (no-load) weight distributions shown in rim diameter, for example, 18.4R-38.
Table 1 should be maintained by adding and remov- Step 4. Check and adjust weight distribution.
ing ballast from the front and rear of the tractor. Front- Refer to the owners manual or to Table 1 and adjust
wheel-assist and four-wheel-drive tractors should have front and rear weights so that the weight of the trac-
relatively more weight on the front than two-wheel- tor is properly distributed between the front and rear
drive tractors because the front wheels also provide axles. Record the final weight of each axle.
traction. Step 5. Determine the weight supported by each
tire. Divide the axle weight by the number of tires on
Tire and inflation pressure management the axle.
Tires should be selected and managed to provide Step 6. Adjust tire inflation pressures. Refer to
maximum contact area with the soil surface. Contact the tire inflation pressure chart for your tires, which is
area depends on the size, type and number of tires as available from your tire dealer. Locate your tires on the
well as tire inflation pressure. Properly inflated radial chart by tire size. Determine the minimum tire inflation
tires provide a larger and flatter footprint than bias- pressure listed in the chart for the weight supported
ply tires. Large, dual, radial tires maintained at mini- by each tire, as calculated in Step 5. Adjust tire infla-
mum tire inflation pressures transmit power to the tion pressures as necessary. Refer to “Tire Load and
soil through the largest area. Increasing the contact Inflation Pressure Guidelines” for more information
area of tires reduces the pressure exerted by the tire on about tire management. Caution: Do not overinflate
the ground. The pressure exerted by a tire on the soil tires! Tires with lower ply ratings or lower star mark-
surface near the lugs is roughly 2 pounds per square ings have lower maximum pressures. For example,
inch greater than the tire inflation pressure. When dual the maximum inflation pressure for a one-star radial
tires are used in place of single tires, each tire carries is lower than the maximum pressure for a two-star
a smaller portion of the weight of the tractor; hence, radial. Maximum pressures should be used only if nec-
tire inflation pressures can be reduced. Whenever tire essary to support the load on the tire.
pressures are reduced, the tire flexes over a larger area Step 7. Assess tractive efficiency by measuring or
and further reduces the pressure applied to the soil observing wheel slip. Refer to “Measuring Wheel Slip
surface. by Counting Tire Revolutions” to measure slip. Wheel
slip can be estimated by observing the appearance of
Determining optimum ballast and the track. If the track is scrambled so that the lug marks
tire pressure configurations are completely broken, slip is high. If the track is well-
defined and the lug marks are unbroken, slip is low.
The optimum ballast and tire pressure configura- Step 8. Add or remove ballast to optimize slip. If
tion for a tractor depends on (1) the type and size of the slip is high or greater than 15 percent, excessive power is
tractor, (2) the type, size and number of tires, (3) soil being lost to wheel slip. Excessive wheel slip may be
type and soil condition, and (4) draft, which depends caused by (1) soil that is too wet, (2) a draft force that is
on the type, width and operating depth of the tillage too large, (3) tires that provide inadequate contact with
tool or other implement. Variables such as tire size and the soil surface because they are too small or overin-
implement type can be controlled, but soil character- flated, or (4) a tractor with inadequate ballast
istics can vary considerably within a field. Hence, an • Consider equipping the tractor with larger tires,
optimum configuration must be determined for aver- dual tires or radial ply tires.
age conditions. Several optimum configurations may • Ballast may also be added to improve traction.
be determined for various types of field operations and Increased ballast will cause greater soil pressures
soil types. The following procedure is a step-by-step and increase compaction. Consider using dual tires
guide to determining an optimum configuration. to decrease soil pressure and remember to adjust tire
Step 1. Select a field operation such as chisel plow- pressures.
ing, field cultivating or planting and equip the tractor If slip is low or less than 5 percent, excessive power
according to guidelines in the owner’s manual, your is being lost to rolling resistance and ballast may be
experience or other available guidelines. removed to increase tractive efficiency. Removing bal-
Step 2. Weigh and record each axle separately. Fill last reduces the weight of the tractor and will decrease
mounted tanks such as fuel tanks and sprayer tanks. If the severity of compaction.
mounted equipment is used, weigh the tractor with the NOTE: Decrease tire inflation pressures when bal-
mounted equipment. last is removed or when dual tires are used. Increase
Step 3. Determine tire type and size from the tire tire pressures when ballast is added or when dual tires
codes on the sidewall of the tires. Tires may be either are removed. Weigh each axle separately to determine

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 Tire load and inflation pressure guidelines
Tires should be inflated according to “tire load and inflation When operating at lower pressures, an additional 4 psi
pressure tables.” The loads listed in the tables are the is also recommended if the tire is operated under harsh
maximum loads for a given tire design and inflation conditions or under heavy loads where greater torque
pressure that will provide safe operation and acceptable on the wheel could cause rim slip. Dual tires are highly
tire life at the maximum rated speed. Most tables are recommended under those conditions. When dual or
based on recommendations published by the Tire and Rim triple tires are used, the maximum weight allowed per
Association and are standardized by tire type and size. tire is smaller, because at any instant in rough terrain, an
Consult the table published by the manufacturer of your individual tire may carry more than its share of the load.
tires for specific information. The loads in the “tire load and inflation pressure tables”
Radial tires can be inflated at pressures as low as 6 are for safe operation at the indicated tire pressures at
pounds per square inch (psi), depending on the design maximum rated speeds, which are generally 25 miles
of the tire and the application. The lowest tire pressures per hour. Load and inflation tables often include footnotes
are usually recommended only for tractors with dual tires allowing increases in maximum loads for tires that are
pulling drawn (as opposed to mounted) equipment on always operated below the maximum rated speed. For
relatively flat surfaces. Tire pressures listed in the tables example, the loads in the Firestone Farm Tire Data Book
should be increased by 4 psi for a tractor with single tires can be multiplied by 1.07, 1.11 and 1.34 if the tractor will
operated on sloping surfaces or equipped with mounted not be operated at speeds above 20, 15 and 10 miles per
equipment to prevent tire damage from side forces. hour, respectively.

the load on the tires and use a tire inflation pressure 7. Count 20 tire revolutions. Stop at the moment the
chart to determine the correct tire pressure. tire mark or valve stem reaches its original position for
Step 9. Repeat Steps 4-8 if ballast adjustments are the 20th time.
made and until slip is approximately 10 percent. 8. Mark the end of the course. Lift the implement.
9. Return to the beginning of the course.
Measuring wheel slip by counting 10. Operate the tractor at the same speed on undis-
tire revolutions turbed soil parallel to the original course without the
implement in the ground.
This procedure requires two people and can be 11. Count tire revolutions once again as the tractor
performed in only a few minutes without any special travels the entire course. This time, instead of marking
tools. One person operates the tractor and one person the end of the course after 20 revolutions, count the
counts tire revolutions. number of revolutions between the beginning and the
1. Make a clearly visible mark on the tire or plan to use end of the course. Because the tractor is no longer pull-
the valve stem to count tire revolutions. Chalk makes a ing a heavy load, slip should be almost eliminated and
good temporary mark. you should count fewer than 20 revolutions.
2. Lay out a course. Choose a section of a field with 12. Use the equation below to determine slip. Each
conditions similar to average conditions. The course missing tire revolution under no load accounts for 5
should be long enough to provide extra space at each percent slip that occurred during the first pass when
end of the course for starting and stopping. the tractor was pulling the implement. For example,
3. Set a flag in the field off to the side of the course 19 revolutions indicates 5 percent slip, 18 revolutions
to mark the beginning of the course. Prepare to operate indicates 10 percent slip and 17 revolutions indicates
the tractor and implement under average or normal 15 percent slip, etc. The formula for slip is as follows:
operating conditions and speeds.
(loaded revolutions – no-load revolutions)
4. Begin operating the tractor far enough behind the % slip = 100 ×
mark that normal operating conditions are reached loaded revolutions
before the tractor passes the flag at the beginning of Example: During the first pass with the tractor and
the course. implement, 20 revolutions are counted. During the sec-
5. Note the position of the valve stem or chalk mark as ond pass with the implement raised 18 revolutions are
the tire passes the flag. counted.
6. Walk parallel to the tire at a safe distance from the
tractor and implement. % slip = 100 × (20-18)/20 = 10%

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