Role of Radial Tires in Increasing Cotton Production Efficiency

Lyle F. Bohnert


 
ABSTRACT

The production costs to grow an acre of cotton have increased dramatically over the past 10 years. Major factors contributing to these cost increases have been the fuel and labor required to perform the various field operations (seedbed preparation, planting, weed and insect control, harvest) involved in producing the crop.

The tires used on the tractor for performing the various field operations directly affect the fuel and labor expenses since the tire is directly responsible for transmitting the horsepower developed by the tractor to the ground. It is not uncommon to experience a 15-20% reduction in horsepower as a tire delivers the axle horsepower to the drawbar and attached implement.

Due to the manner in which the radial tire distributes the traction forces to the soil, an increase in traction efficiency can be obtained with a radial tire, when compared to the conventional bias tire design. This in turn in a time and fuel savings for the tractor involved.



Reprinted from Proceedings of the 1983 Beltwide Cotton Production- Mechanization Conference pp. 28 - 30
©National Cotton Council, Memphis TN

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Document last modified Sunday, Dec 6 1998