The Best Skid-Steer Tires for Every Job and Terrain

Choosing the right skid-steer tires ultimately depends on how you’ll use the machine, with the primary consideration being the specific tasks, conditions and terrain your skid steer will encounter. While price and appearance may factor in later, selecting tires suited to the job requirements is essential for optimal performance and longevity.

There are several different types and styles of skid-steer tires and the reason for that is because there are several different types of applications. We are going to consider those in this article, as well as the pros and cons of each, some tips on how to get the best mileage out of your tires and how regular maintenance will get you the best return on investment.

When it comes to skid-steer tires, it is not one size fits all. There are enough options available that there is no reason for not using the “right tool for the job.”

The two basic divisions of tire type are pneumatic and solid. As indicated by those classifications, one uses air, the other doesn’t; it’s solid rubber. The pneumatic tires for the skid steer are basically like those used in cars and trucks, but on a more industrial level. Pneumatic tires are the industry standard but, like anything else, there is an upside and a downside to them.

Pneumatic Pros and Cons

There are two basic reasons why the air-filled tire is the most popular. One is the price. They are the least expensive type of tire for this machine. Coming in at a very close second place for choosing a pneumatic tire is the comfort. Unlike cars and trucks, the skid steer has no suspension, that is, no springs, struts, air suspension or anything to soften the ride. Using a skid steer day in and day out on rough terrain can prove to be very hard physically on the drivers. So, the air in the pneumatic tires provides a bit of a cushion to take the edge off the jarring ride.

There are two offsetting cons to the pneumatic tire. Punctures and other damage to tires is common on jobsites. Downtime due to changing or repairing a tire could get expensive. Also, the cushion provided by the tires could prove to be a double-edged sword. Pneumatic tires tend to bounce. Depending on the terrain being worked in, the skid steer could bounce quite a bit, resulting in shifting loads and difficult driving.

Solid Rubber Pros and Cons

One of the advantages to solid rubber tires is obvious: they won’t blow out. The potential need for constant repairs or replacement would be eliminated. But, as would be expected, this peace of mind comes at a cost. Solid rubber tires are expensive. They can run two to three times the cost of air-filled tires. The flip side is that they will generally last three to five times longer than pneumatic tires. Buying solid tires does not provide the suspension that air-filled tires do, sometimes resulting in that beaten-up feeling at the end of the day. 

The Right Tire for the Job

We’ve mentioned that there is a tire out there for every job. Let’s consider some of those options. Keep in mind that many of these are available in both pneumatic and solid rubber construction. 

Probably the most common skid-steer tire is the all-terrain tire. Available in multiple duty ratings, the all-terrain is at home in most work environments, with dirt and slightly muddy surfaces being its forte. It has deep, angled lugs and a high void ratio, providing excellent traction while easily shedding rocks and debris. Note that, although they can operate well on hard surfaces such as concrete and asphalt, the cost for those that do is substantially higher than for those that are used only for dirt.

Hard-surface solid tires have an essentially flat face with shallow grooves molded in for traction. But because of their design, they will last considerably longer than heavily lugged tires. The smooth skid-steer tire is just as its name implies; it has no tread whatsoever. It eliminates the possibility of tread-flexing and premature wear and, because of this, they may seem to last forever. However, traction is not one of their best characteristics. They are best suited for commercial worksites, demolition jobs and junkyards where traction is not a concern.

Like the all-terrain tire, the mud-terrain tire has angled lugs and plenty of self-cleaning void, but they are specially engineered for working on muddy surfaces. These tires are highly damage-resistant and offer consistent, forward-moving traction through mud, snow and other deep, soft terrain. For those who work in landscaping and other applications where surface damage needs to be avoided, the turf and floatation tire is the perfect tool for the job.

Bearing a tread pattern like that of a passenger car, these tires will help you maintain the quality of your client’s established lawns and finished areas by “floating” on those surfaces to minimize damage. They have excellent traction despite their shallow treads. As an option for those who regularly work in wet or soft ground conditions, the “super-float” tire is 85% larger than its standard turf cousin, providing a much larger footprint for extra floatability.

“Use the right tool for the job” is a mantra that applies just as much to skid steer tires as it does to hammers and screwdrivers. With so many options available, there is no need to reinvent the wheel (pun intended.) To decide which tires to buy for your skid steer, determine what you are going to be using it for the most. Whereas almost all skid-steer tires can work in a variety of environments, you should determine what its primary job is going to be and buy accordingly.

Not only will your machine and its tires live a long and healthy life, but you will enjoy that time working together as you see how satisfying it is to plow effortlessly through to a job well done.  

Maintenance for Your Tires

Although skid steers and their tires may seem indestructible, they are not. However, their life can be dramatically extended by following a few simple maintenance tips:

1. Clean your tires with a hose regularly and inspect for bubbles, cracks and debris that may be lodged in the rubber.
2. Keep an eye on the tread. Because the front tires may wear faster than the rear and vice versa, it would be prudent to rotate the tires whenever uneven wear is detected.
3. Avoid driving on the road. The skid steer is designed to be used in a work environment, not driven like a truck. Doing so will shorten the tires’ lifespan considerably. 
4. Refrain from popping off the retaining rims by catching them on an object, buy tires that have good rim protectors molded into the tire.
5. Keep your tires’ pressure within the manufacturer’s recommended range. Under- or over-inflated tires can either waste fuel or increase the chance of getting a flat. Check the pressure at least once a week, if not daily.
6. Avoid “mixing and matching” tire brands. Use one brand of tire on the entire machine. Each brand has its own design and they are all slightly different. Improper pairing will cause uneven wearing on both the tires and the machine.