What a tire gauge can tell you about farm efficiency, insights from Firestone Ag

Nashville, TN – A single $20 tool could be your farm’s secret weapon for cutting fuel costs, reducing tire wear and field performance. That was the standout message at Firestone Ag’s Farm Fuel Savings Clinic. Spending a little time with a tire gauge to maintain proper inflation helps minimize slip and improve fuel efficiency–up to 4%. Across acres and hours, that adds up.

Dusty Hininger, Firestone Ag sales training manager, reminds farmers that tire pressure isn’t one-size-fits-all. “You have to adjust tire pressure based on speed and load,” Hininger explained. “You can’t just set it and forget it.”

Hininger pointed out that many farmers tend to overinflate tires to avoid underinflation damage. But that habit can create different issues. Overinflated tires reduce traction, increase fuel consumption and lead to more soil compaction. The result? More time in the field, more wear on equipment and the potential for yield loss.

There are other benefits too. Adjusting pressure to match field conditions and equipment weight improves ride quality, extends tire life and helps equipment operate more efficiently.

Not all tires are built the same, and not all are built for the demands of today’s equipment. While proper inflation of your tires is important, choosing the right tire is just as critical.

Radial tires, like those from Firestone Ag, are designed to flex, allowing for a larger contact patch with the ground. The larger footprint helps distribute weight more evenly, reducing compaction and improving traction. That means more efficient power transfer, less slip and better performance in the field.

Tires with VF (Very High Flexion) and IF (Increased Flexion) technology take these benefits even further. VF tires can carry the same load as a standard radial tire at nearly 50% lower pressure, while IF tires can do the same at nearly 30% lower pressure. This lower inflation means reduced compaction and more cushion over rough terrain, helping protect your soil and your equipment.

But to see the full benefits of this technology, you need to match the tire to your needs and manage pressure accordingly. A high-tech tire won’t reach its potential if it’s overinflated, mismatched to the load or used in the wrong conditions.

Investing in the right tires and maintaining them properly can improve fuel efficiency, extend tire life and support better yields over time. It’s a long-term decision with a daily impact.

Fortunately, getting tire pressure right is easier than many people think. At the clinic, Firestone Ag encouraged farmers to use tools like its Tire Pressure Calculator to determine the ideal PSI based on axle load and speed. It’s a simple way to get more from the tires you own.

For many farmers, a manual gauge is still the go-to but Hininger recommends upgrading to a digital gauge. That $20 tool can help improve fuel economy, protect your tires and support better field conditions. While central tire inflation systems (CTIS) can offer automation and convenience, regularly checking pressure by hand is still the most cost-effective practice available.

Farmers who make inflation part of their routine report faster passes, fewer fuel stops and improved soil health. Ultimately, it leads to better efficiency and long-term productivity.

The takeaway? Air is free, and with the right inflation, it can help reduce fuel use, extend tire life and support better performance all season long. Whether you’re in the field or on the road, small steps like checking pressure can have a big impact. Sometimes, moving your operation forward starts with a quick stop at the tire.