VF: Alphabet Soup for Your Soil

To put it simply, VF tires give your tractor a larger footprint. Thanks to technically advanced tough sidewalls, these tires can run at lower air pressures than standard radial tires. And as you drop your tire pressures, your footprint grows longer. This larger footprint puts less pressure on your fields, which helps prevent deep-soil compaction from lowering  your yields and profits. 

Read More: Roll your way to bigger yields with IF/VF tires.

VF-rated radials are able to run at 40% lower air pressure (or carry 40% more weight at the same air pressure) as a standard radial. Yes, that’s a mouthful. But the benefits that these tires bring to your farm and your tractor’s performance are easy to spell out. 

Safeguard Your Soil and Boost Yields

It pays to set your tire pressures as low as possible in the field. Literally. When you limit soil compaction, you’ll see a yield increase. From 2020 to 2023, NTS participated in a research study with AgRevival that looked at the effects of various tire pressures at spring planting on yields at harvest time. 

Three years of data tell a compelling story—an average 7.5-bushel increase on corn and 3.4-bushel increase on soybeans when researchers ran AgRevival’s planting setup at the test’s lowest pressures in the field (compared with running the same setup’s tires at 35 psi). 

Read More: Lower Tire Pressure, Higher Yields

Out of all the research we’ve done in the last three years, this project almost became a little boring because we saw such consistent responses over the three years. Really, the opposite should happen. It was just wild to see, year over year. Of all the three-year projects we’ve done, this is the one that’s shown the most consistent response. Nate Firle, AgRevival 

Larger Footprint, Bigger Yields

What is the connection between tire pressure and yields? Soil compaction. The larger and heavier your equipment is, the more pressure it puts on your soil. It’s not practical to downsize your equipment, but you can downsize your current equipment’s impact on your soil with VF tires. As we mentioned in this article’s introduction, when you lower a tire’s air pressure, its footprint grows longer (and, in some cases, a little wider too). And that larger footprint spreads your tractor’s weight over a larger surface area. This helps alleviate the worst of compaction’s effects on your topsoil—and yields.

Higher tire pressures mean more pressure per square inch on your soil. When soil is compressed tightly together and becomes dense like a brick, it’s harder for the plants’ roots to go exploring for water and nutrients. This is one of the main reasons why taking steps to limit soil compaction can increase your yields—you’re providing a better environment for your plants. 

Pull Harder, Plus Save Time and Fuel

When you increase traction, you’ll finish fieldwork faster and burn less fuel. (You’ll harness more of your tractor’s horses.) Notice the difference between these two images? With the tire inflated to 35 psi, not one lug is completely on the ground (across the entire tread face). With the tire pressure set at 6 psi, there are at least 3 lugs that are in complete contact with the ground.

Michelin conducted a test between its older MachXBib (non-VF) tire and AxioBib 2 (VF) tire and found that the AxioBib 2 provided a 28%–35% increase in traction and a 7%–11% time savings. Why? The VF tire has a longer footprint with more lugs on the ground. And that means more work done in less time.

Stop Rutting and Sinking and Getting Stuck

Larger footprints also provide better flotation. Yes, even though your largest tractors may weigh as much as a dinosaur, you don’t need to sink into the muck like one. With more flotation your tractor will also handle better—less squirming in soft soils and a better chance that you’ll be able to drink your coffee instead of wearing it. 

Avoid Tire Failures and Overloading

It’s never a good day when your farm is at a standstill because of a tire failure. If you’re expecting your tires to carry more weight—or run faster—than they were designed for, your tires can sustain casing damage from excessive heat buildup or stress cracking. 

The numbers used to relate a tire’s load rating may seem nonsensical, but they are standardized by the Tire and Rim Association. The higher the number, the more load the tire can carry. You can bookmark our load index chart for future reference, view it below, or you’ll generally find a similar chart in any manufacturer’s tire data book.

Read More: How the Right Tire Load and Speed Indexes Will Protect Your Farm’s Productivity

You want to make sure your tractor is equipped with a tire setup that can handle its real-world weight—the tractor’s “factory” weight plus any additional weight you’ve added, such as saddle tanks for chemicals, wheel weights, or the weight of an implement on your tractor’s rear axle. Remember how VF tires are rated to carry 40% more weight than a standard radial at the same inflation pressure? If you do the math and your tractor’s tire setup is over capacity, switching to VF tires can tip the scale back in your favor.

Our Favorite VF Tractor Tires for Sale 

The VF-rated models below are some of the best tractor tires for sale today. If you want all the details about the different tire brands’ strengths and weaknesses, head over to our tractor tires webpage. 

Learn More: What is the best brand of tractor tire?

Michelin Axiobib 2

Critics always point out that Michelins are typically the most expensive tires. That’s true, but like they say, you get what you pay for. The Axiobib 2 provides excellent grip, handles long road miles better than many other tractor tires, and is resistant to stubble damage. 

Alliance Agriflex+ 372

Here’s a tire that’s at the opposite end of the price spectrum from Michelin, but still delivers impressive performance. In fact, Alliance tractor tires are true customer favorites. And the 10-year warranty Alliance offers on its premium models provides valuable peace of mind.

Firestone Maxi Traction

Firestone’s 23-degree tread bar tractor tire can pull like a locomotive in dry soils. When it turns wet, the 23-degree bar has problems cleaning out, which spells trouble for traction. Firestone’s relatively new Maxi Traction features a dual-angle lug pattern designed to fix many of the 23 degree’s shortcomings. Look for better hillside performance and smoother road travel as well. Note: Not all Maxi Traction sizes are VF rated. 

Trelleborg TM1000 Progressive Traction

Trelleborg makes a nice tractor tire, but they can be hard to come by. The top-of-the-line TM1000 Progressive Traction is Trelleborg’s VF offering for high-horse tractors. The company’s “tread wings” result in a wider tread as the tire is put under load, which gives you better traction and flotation. 

Goodyear Optitrac

Our favorite options in Goodyear’s Optitrac lineup are the LSW (or low sidewall) models. Many of these sizes are not available in any other brand. These tires fight power hop and road lope and have proven themselves on everything from 4WD tractors to combines and sprayers. The Optitrac line also includes a few VF tires with standard sidewall heights.  Note: Not all Optitrac tires are VF rated.

Mitas HC2000

Owned by Trelleborg, Mitas produces quality tires, although with limited availability in some product lines. We’ve found them to be durable, long-lasting, and a good value for the money in most cases.

BKT Agrimax V-Flecto

Around here, the BKT’s Spargo is one of our favorite sprayer tires. The Agrimax V-Flecto brings a similar blend of value and performance to the high-horse tractor market. Its tread designs are similar to Michelin, so you can expect good grip for the money with BKT.

Our Favorite Standard Radial Tractor Tires for Sale 

If you’re not ready to spring for a set of VF tires or your tractor and its uses don’t demand the top technology on the tire market, there are plenty of standard radials available that also excel when it come to performance and value. 

Alliance Agri Star II

Alliance’s Agri Star II may be a step below the Agriflex, but, like its big brother, represents a great value in the ag tire market. Designed with Alliance’s Stratified Layer technology (SLT), the lugs are built with two layers:  The top layer with a single-angle profile and bottom layer with a multi-angle profile. After 40% wear of the tire, the bottom layer of the lug comes in contact with the ground which leads to increased contact area at the central portion. So, even as the tire wears, it still provides strong traction in the field. 

Firestone Radial All Traction 23 Degree

Firestone is famous for its 23-degree tread bar and the company name carries a lot of weight with American farmers. It makes sense: Firestone tires are made in Iowa, and the All Traction is a solid choice for a basic radial tire. 

Bridgestone VX-Tractor

The Bridgestone brand is a newcomer to the United States market, but initial impressions are positive. In company testing, when compared with Michelin’s MACHXBIB radial, the Bridgestone VX-Tractor provided 45% longer tire life. The company’s Triple-Defense tread compound is designed to help improve wear resistance, stubble protection, and durability.

Michelin Agribib 2

Michelin bills its Agribib 2 as an “affordable premium” tire, and it does pack features that help it compete with the industry’s best options. Interested in its performance without the huge price tag? Search our inventory for a used or takeoff option!

Titan AgraEdge

Titan’s AgraEdge line is relatively new, first appearing in 2021. This basic radial includes a decent warranty, is made in America, and includes some features from pricier tires, such as a modern “smart” lug shape designed to provide both traction and comfortable roading. 

What, Exactly, Makes a Top Tractor Tire a Top Tractor Tire?

The top tractors tires on the market share some common traits:

• VF Rating: VF-rated radials can handle more weight than a standard radial, or operate at 40% lower air pressure than a standard radial with the same load. This gives you all the benefits of a bigger footprint—lower soil compaction, better traction, faster working speeds, and higher fuel economy.
• Advanced Tread Compounds: There’s a reason our top tractor tires are more expensive—high-tech rubber compounds involve more ingredients and more careful cooking to get it all just right. For example, a company can design a tire both to withstand lots of roading and provide excellent traction in the field. 
• High-tech Sidewalls: This is one aspect of tire design that enables a VF rating. Engineers put more thought into sidewall construction, and depend on a network of steel belts, to enable the tire to handle heavy loads at lower air pressures. 
• Smarter Lugs: You may hear terms like “multi-angle” or “stratified layer” or any number of other buzz words to describe a tire’s lug design. When you monkey with a tire’s lug geometry, you can improve performance aspects such as mud clean out, traction, and road comfort.

On the Horizon: Hybrid Tread Patterns

The bread-and-butter tractor tire treads are R-1 and R-1W, which is typically about 20% deeper than R-1 tread. The W stands for “wet.” When these tires were originally introduced to the industry decades ago, they were designed to perform better in wet conditions. With the deeper tread, some farmers also expect 20% longer life. However, with today’s modern tread compounds and lug designs, that isn’t necessarily the case. In fact, according to which manufacturer you ask, R-1 tires can have the advantage on the road, especially for machines such as sprayers, which don’t need to prioritize traction in the field.

Manufacturers are also exploring other tread designs that are intended to take the place of traditional R-1 tread on tractors. Introduced in 2024, Yokohama’s Alliance Agriflex+ 373 incorporates layered tread blocks to offer more biting edges for traction. The “extra-dense centerline” of the tire is designed to offer smoother roading. In fact, one look at the 373 and you have to wonder, how did they settle on that design? It’s a familiar story in American agriculture—continuous improvement. Companies are asking the question: Can we improve on the traditional traction tread design and provide the market with products that surpass the industry standards in performance? Only time and testing will tell. 

The tire’s older cousin, the Alliance Agriflex+ 363, has been on the market for several years and has proven itself on self-propelled sprayers. It’s known as a top option for farmers who prioritize road performance and comfort, yet it can still deliver appropriate traction, stability, and handling in the field. So keep your eye out for hybrid treads—one such model may be your best option when you need to upgrade your current tractor tires. 

The Best VF Tractor Tires for Your Farm

Here’s our top, top recommendation: If you’re in the market for a new set of tractor tires, give us a call. NTS Tire Supply’s tire experts will make sure your workhorse is optimized for the toughest pulling conditions. You could even give an old tractor a new lease on life with a set of VF tires. In a tough farm economy, it makes a lot of sense to maximize the equipment you already own with the right tires and wheels. Give us a call and we’ll help you Drive Your Farm Forward.