Pneumatic tires vs. solid tires—which is better? There are pros and cons to both types, and while pneumatic tires are widespread, farmers may prefer “flat-free” solid tires in certain situations.

What are pneumatic tires?

Pneumatic tires are the kind you find on automobiles and most farm equipment. Two main types exist: bias tires and radial tires. Both types must be inflated with air (at a certain number of pounds per square inch (PSI) of pressure, which varies depending on the tire) in order to hold their shape and perform their duties. Without air, you have a flat tire.

Pros and cons of pneumatic tires

Pneumatic tires are popular because they offer tons of advantages. The biggest is a smooth ride; the air inside cushions the vehicle (and the operator) from bumpy terrain. They also offer superior traction (especially radial tires) when compared to solid tires, and they’re lightweight for their size.

But there are downsides to these tires. You must keep the air pressure at the correct level to achieve the best performance; in cold weather, pressure can drop, requiring you to add air. Plus, pneumatic tires can be damaged by nails and other sharp objects, or by blows to the sidewall. If a pneumatic tire loses its ability to hold air, you’ll have to repair or replace it.

What are solid tires?

Solid tires don’t need to be inflated with air. They’re solid all the way through and made from materials such as rubber, foam, or plastic. Since they don’t contain air, they can’t go flat (though they’re not completely immune to other types of damage).

Pros and cons of solid tires

The main upsides of solid tires are reduced maintenance and increased durability. You don’t have to check or maintain air pressure, and they can take quite a beating while remaining serviceable. Since they’re incapable of going flat, they’re commonly used to support the heavy loads carried by forklifts. (You may hear the confusing term “solid pneumatic tire” in conjunction with forklifts; this refers to a solid tire that otherwise resembles a pneumatic tire.)

However, solid tires aren’t perfect. Since they’re solid and inflexible, they generate a bumpy ride over uneven terrain. Traction isn’t as good and they’re worse than pneumatic tires at dissipating heat, so they shouldn’t be used at high speeds. Solid tires are also heavier than pneumatic tires of similar size (which can be a pro if you need the weight to counterbalance heavy loads on the front or rear of the vehicle, but a con when it comes to installing or removing the tires). And solid tires can be expensive, though this is offset in many cases by their long lifespans—they can last around three times as long as pneumatic tires.

Which Tires Should Farmers Use?

In most cases, farmers should opt to use pneumatic tires on their farm equipment, capitalizing on the many advantages they offer. The smoother ride alone is a big benefit if you’ll be driving a tractor through bumpy fields.

However, if you have a machine like a skid steer or forklift and plan to lift a lot of heavy loads or navigate through ground that would put pneumatic tires at risk (like a construction or demolition site), solid tires may be the better choice. Or, on a simpler level, you can install solid tires on yard carts or small trailers when a smooth ride isn’t critical and you want to eliminate flat tires and the chore of maintaining air pressure.

This story about tractor tires was written for Hobby Farms magazine. Click here to subscribe.