QUINCY, Ill.—Tractor maker Deere & Co. has begun offering Goodyear Super Single Low Sidewall tires as OE options on its three largest 8R-Series MFWD tractors, the 8R 340, 8R 370, and 8R 410, according to Titan International Inc., producer of Goodyear-brand farm tires.
The fitment option—Goodyear Optitrac LSW1000/40R32 fronts and LSW1100/45R46 rears—is offered on 2021 model-year tractors equipped with Deere's Independent Link Suspension, Titan said.
The Quincy-based tire and wheel maker said Deere's decision to offer this option is an example of the aftermarket driving OE decisions.
"This flotation LSW set-up has been incredibly popular for years in the aftermarket with growers running John Deere MFWD tractors," said Scott Sloan, agricultural product manager for Titan and Goodyear farm tires, "and we're happy that the demand from growers and years of extensive field testing have led to John Deere making this in-demand setup available direct from the factory.
Sloan said more than half of growers "rarely need" to run their tractors between the rows post-emergence and the LSW Super Single set-up should be a "clear choice" to help them reduce soil compaction, increase yield and improve performance in any field condition.
The LSW option offers "significant" traction, flotation and ride-quality benefits over a traditional row-crop dual setup, Titan claims, at prices comparable with dual fitments.
A common traditional row crop setup on John Deere MFWD tractors would be 380/80R38 dual fronts and 480/80R50 dual rears—resulting in a total contact area 2,368 inches, Titan said.
By switching to the Goodyear LSW Super Single setup, the result is a total contact area of 3,644 inches, a 53 percent percent improvement that provides superior flotation thanks to the weight of the tractor being spread over a larger footprint, Titan said.
The LSW option also results in a 6-inch reduction in overall roading width—allowing for easier transport and improved turn radius.