Radial Tires Not Worth Extra Cost?

Radial Tires not worth extra cost? TIRES/WHEELS Miscellaneous 10-3-5 The high cost of radial tractor tires does not pay off in fuel savings due to increased traction, according to a recent report presented to the American Society of Agricultural Engineers by Wayne Coates, associate professor of ag engineering at the University of Arizona. Coates tested radial tires against bias ply tires under identical field conditions. He found that at the lowest field speeds radials reduced fuel consumption but that at higher speeds radial tires actually consumed more fuel. As a result, Coates concluded that "Since overall performance differences as shown by specific fuel consumption were small, tire choice should be based on other factors such as cost, availability, warranty and service rather than claims made by dealers or manufacturers regarding increased fuel savings."

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