Flotation Tyres: How Farmers Protect Soft Ground

With so many different types of tyre available on the market, it can be difficult to know which ones you should be comparing for your own vehicle, and which are reserved for more commercial enterprises and industrial vehicles.

Flotation tyres fall heavily into the latter category. With a wide footprint and broad tread blocks, these tyres are built to carry extremely heavy loads, without causing undue or excess pressure to soft ground below. This makes them particularly well suited to agricultural and farming work, as well as in the construction and military industries.

But how exactly do they work, and what are the benefits across a range of industrial and commercial applications?

Key Features of Flotation Tyres

Before we dive into the features of flotation tyres and how to distinguish them in a line-up of different tyre types, it’s first interesting to hear where the name comes from.

Flotation tyres are named as such because they literally float over softer ground without sinking or causing excessive compaction. This is due to a number of key features that distribute the weight of the vehicle over a broader area and therefore reduce the pressure on one particular spot.

The most distinguishing feature is the shape and size of the tyre. Flotation tyres are incredibly wide so as to spread the weight over a larger surface area, while also optimising the stability of the tyres and the vehicle on rugged and rough ground.

Flotation tyres also have very wide and very obvious tread blocks, with shallow grooves that ensure both consistent traction and minimal ground disturbance on soft ground.

Other features include:

• Flexible but strong tyre sidewalls, that can adapt to the changing terrain while maintaining stability of the vehicle
• Specialised bead design that is optimised to uphold the tyre’s structure and shape under the pressure of low inflation pressure

In short, not only are flotation tyres broad in shape and design, to minimise disturbance to soft ground, but the ability to run them at a low tyre pressure means an even larger surface area, thereby decreasing the pressure on a certain line of ground when driving.

The Benefits of Flotation Tyres in the Right Setting

We probably don’t need to tell you that the various features of flotation tyres mean they are not suitable for road driving or performance driving.

What they are good for, however, is navigating some of the most challenging terrains across the globe – from rainforests to sand dunes, construction sites, farmer’s fields, and more.

The ability of flotation tyres to navigate these different terrains while minimising the weight and pressure on the ground means, first and foremost, that they maximise functionality while minimising potential damage. Compaction can have a detrimental effect on the crop yield for a farmer, with flotation tyres crucial for protecting fields.

Similarly, these specially built tyres boost the traction and handling of vehicles across sand dunes and particularly rugged or even snowy terrain, which is why they are also well suited to ATVs and off-road buggies.

Other benefits, aside from the reduced contact pressure from the weight of the vehicle, include enhanced comfort on rough terrain, the ability to carry particularly heavy loads, and the increased traction on different terrains and surfaces. Flotation tyres are also incredibly durable, constructed using tough materials and with the benefit of flexible sidewalls that warp and adapt to the changing driving conditions.

All of these things add up to flotation tyres being considered a highly functional tool for the agricultural, construction, military and other industrial sectors.

Can I Fit Flotation Tyres to My Car?

The construction of these tyres means that they are not suitable for road or everyday use; rather, they are reserved for specific off-road applications and heavy duty uses. Fitting them to a standard passenger car impacts the safety and handling of the vehicle, with these tyres neither durable nor stable enough for use on a tarmac road.

If you are seeking a suitable car tyre that can handle off-road terrain as well as everyday driving needs, head to our off-road and all-terrain tyre pages to learn about the top brands and models available on the market. You can also compare premium and mid-range brands, and learn about the key features to look out for.