Machines & Maintenance
Putting a Price on Tire Performance
Rising Input Costs Are Changing How Farmers Buy Tires
By Ryan Loethen, president, CEAT Specialty North America
For America ' s farmers, managing costs has always been part of the job. But in today ' s operating environment, controlling expenses has become more important than ever. From fertilizer and crop protection products to diesel fuel, equipment, labor, and financing, virtually every input required to produce a crop has become more expensive in the past several years. While commodity prices have experienced periods of strength, fluctuating grain markets have made it difficult for many producers to simply pass those higher costs on to the marketplace.
As a result, farmers are scrutinizing every purchasing decision with greater intensity than ever before. They ' re asking a simple but important question: Will this investment reduce my cost of production across the long term?
Increasingly, that question extends to agricultural tires. For many years, some producers viewed tires as a commodity purchase, often selecting the lowest-priced option available. Today, that mindset is changing. Progressive farmers understand that tires directly influence productivity, fuel consumption, equipment uptime, soil health, and ultimately profitability.
In other words, the least expensive tire is not always the least expensive tire.
Every Hour Counts
Modern farming equipment represents a significant capital investment. High-horsepower tractors, self-propelled sprayers, combines, and grain carts often cost hundreds of thousands of dollars— or more. During narrow planting and harvest windows, every hour of operation is valuable.
When a tire fails prematurely or wears out sooner than expected, the cost extends well beyond the replacement tire itself. Unexpected downtime can delay planting, interrupt harvest schedules, and leave expensive equipment sitting idle while repairs are made. If the failure occurs during peak season, replacement tires may not be immediately available, creating additional delays that can affect crop yields and operating efficiency.
That ' s why experienced producers are evaluating tire purchases based on total cost of ownership rather than simply the initial purchase price.
Looking Beyond the Price Tag
Total cost of ownership considers several important factors:
• Purchase price
• Expected service life
• Cost per operating hour
• Resistance to stubble damage and punctures
• Fuel efficiency
• Downtime and maintenance costs
• Impact on soil compaction
14 | 800-247-2000 | 515-955-1600 | Harvest Fall 2026