Free Tool
Tractor Tire Tread Type Picker
Tread codes like R1, R1W, R2, R3 and R4 describe a tire's lug pattern and depth, which is designed for a particular ground condition and job — not a quality grade. Picking the wrong one for your soil and task costs you either traction or tire life. Answer a few questions below for a starting recommendation, then see our full R1 vs R2 vs R3 vs R4 guide for the detail behind each type.
How to use the tread type picker
\nAnswer the questions in the tread type picker above for your soil, work and road use. For the detail behind each code, read our guide to R-1, R-2, R-3 and R-4 treads and the R-1 vs R-1W comparison, then see the tractor tires we supply.
Questions
What is the difference between R1 and R1W?
Both are general-purpose row-crop tread patterns. R1W has a deeper, more durable lug than standard R1, built for wet or firm soil where extra traction and wear life matter — it typically costs more than an equivalent R1. If you're mostly on drier ground, R1 is usually the better value.
Can I put R1 tires on a backhoe or skid steer?
You can, but R4 (industrial) tread is usually the better choice for that kind of work — it has a shorter, sturdier lug and reinforced sidewalls built for rough, often rocky or paved ground, where R1's taller ag lug would wear quickly and offers little benefit.
What tread do I need for a planter or other towed implement?
Towed implement wheels generally use I-1 (rib) tread — close-set ribs built to roll freely and track straight rather than drive power to the ground. It's a different job from a tractor's drive tires, which is why implement tires look different even on the same machine.