Farmers have many daily responsibilities, including keeping an eye on equipment. As things change in agriculture, farmers must adjust. Since science and technology are ever-evolving in agriculture, farmers are expected to adapt to changes for the sake of their productivity and financial stability. Stubble is a consistent problem for farmers because of stubble damages on tires. There are many money- and time-saving ways you can reduce stubble damage, so keep reading to learn more about stubble damage minimization.

Avoid Frozen Stubble

Even though spring and summer are busy seasons as a farmer, many farmers also work through the winter. Although it doesn’t snow in every part of the world, many places experience snow and freezing temperatures. If you plan on working through the winter, it’s essential to avoid driving over frozen stubble. Stalks of corn, for example, freeze in the winter, so there is likely frozen stubble present on your land. Clearing or working around it can preserve your tires and reduce stubble damage.

Get Stubble-Resistant Tires

If you must work during the winter, consider getting stubble-resistant tires. They’re made to reduce stubble damage and prevent the full extent of stubble damage from occurring. Rather than paying to replace tires every time thorns of stubble punctures your tire, consider investing in stubble-resistant tires. Making this switch can save you money since you won’t have to replace your tires as often. Investing in stubble resistant tires will also save time because you won’t need to wait for the tire to be ordered and replaced.

Use Stubble Manipulation

Another way to reduce stubble damage is to incorporate stubble manipulation into the process. Stubble manipulation is the process of manipulating the stubble so it doesn’t negatively affect the tires. There are many different devices available depending on the crops you grow, but let’s use corn stalks as an example. When a tractor drives over corn stalks, the stalks are hard enough to put pressure on the tires. This pressure eventually leads to damage and requires replacement. Using a machine that specializes in stubble manipulation, such as crushing or rolling the stubble, can preserve your tires. There are many examples available for purchase depending on your price range and needs.

Consider Stubble Height

One mistake a farmer can make when harvesting is running machine’s head too low. A short stalk can cause more damage to tires because it sticks right up, primed to puncture. Longer stalks are better because the tire can push the stalk aside without it damaging the tire. Leaving your stalks higher can help extend the life of your tires. Again, if this does not work for you, consider investing in a stubble manipulation device.

Don’t Run Combine Tires Backwards

If you have a combine, you’re probably familiar with the idea that running your tires backward can result in a better ride. Avoid this when stubble damage is involved. The only exception is if the ground is muddy. Lugs on the tires, when moving forward, guide obstacles away from their center. When driving backward, the opposite occurs. Running a combine’s tires backward will lead the hazardous stubble straight into the tire. Although running your wheels backward can help clean out mud, it’s important to shy away from doing so unless necessary—for example, during an extremely wet harvest.

Since your combine tires will inevitably run over some stubble, it’s important to have high-quality combine tires. Finding a company that works with you to find the perfect combine tires is essential to your productivity. Investing in combine tires is just as important as investing in tractor tires, so don’t overlook that detail when buying a new set.

Drive Between Rows

The obvious solution to reducing stubble damage is to avoid it. Although avoidance isn’t the best method when it comes to reducing stubble damage, driving between rows can help keep it to a minimum. (This may not be an option for every farmer, though.) Driving between the rows can protect your tires from driving directly over sharp stalks or any other obstacles that can damage your tires. Driving between the rows whenever possible can also reduce tire erosion. This is a method that can be incorporated into most farmer’s routines, so be sure to give it a try next time you’re driving your tractor.

As you can see, there are many ways you can reduce stubble damage to your tires. Regardless of your budget or abilities, reducing the damage caused by stubble isn’t impossible. Whether you invest in new tires or machinery, or simply make a change to your current process, reducing stubble damage is possible. Not only can it save you money, but time as well.

At Dawson Tire and Wheel, we specialize in helping you find the perfect tires for your operation. We offer unique partnerships designed to make your life easier. We have agriculture and irrigation tires available. You can rely on us for all your tire and wheel needs. At Dawson Tire & Wheel, we offer unmatched industry expertise on all our new and used products. We have decades of expertise, so don’t hesitate to ask us questions next time you’re in the market for tires.