Bobcat tires are available, in both air-filled and solid versions. Picking the right Bobcat tire for your needs will help you maximize the benefits of Bobcat tires. Let's look at the different types of Bobcat Tires and the benefits of each so that you can determine which is best for your skid steer use case.
Air-Filled Bobcat Tires or Solid Bobcat Tires?
Air-filled Bobcat tires are cheaper to purchase upfront but come with several drawbacks that reduce the benefits of that lower cost. Most importantly from a cost standpoint, air-filled Bobcat tires do not last as long as their solid counterparts. Solid Bobcat tires last three to five times longer than air-filled Bobcat tires. This leads to a decreased cost over time as tires need to be replaced less frequently than the short-term cost savings of air-filled Bobcat tires.
The main reason people prefer solid Bobcat tires over air-filled Bobcat tires is that solid Bobcat tires are puncture resistant. When you are on the job site, flat Bobcat tires can significantly slow down your productivity, and cut into your profits. Solid Bobcat tires are an excellent insurance policy to ensure flat Bobcat tires do not stop your workers unexpectedly.
To Foam Fill or Not to Foam Fill?
Some people choose foam-filled Bobcat tires over solid Bobcat tires when puncture resistance is needed. There are several drawbacks to this method of reducing punctures though. The extra stiffness causes traction loss and results in a rougher ride for the vehicle operator. In addition, the foam adds additional weight to the Bobcat tires which increases the stress put on the skid steer's drivetrain. For these reasons as well as the increased cost and reduced serviceability of foam-filled Bobcat tires, we do not recommend this option for your skid steer over solid Bobcat tires alternatives.
Which Tread is Best for You?
Bobcat tires come in a variety of tread types to match the terrain the skid steer will operate on. Let's look at some of the different tread types available so you can decide which fits your use case the well.
- All-Terrain Bobcat Tires - Bobcat tires come in a variety of tread types to match the terrain the skid steer will operate on. Let's look at some of the different tread types available so you can decide which fits your use case the well.
- Hard Surface Bobcat Tires - A lot of extra wear is put on Bobcat tires when it has to drive over hard surfaces. If your worksites consist of asphalt, concrete, or other hard surfaces, then the specialized tread of hard surface Bobcat tires will increase the lifespan of your tires while still maintaining some traction.
- Smooth Bobcat Tires - When even greater wear protection is required, smooth tread tires answer the call. The smooth tread of these tires maximizes the rubber contact to the ground and disperses the load over a greater area, resulting in longer tire life.
- Mud Bobcat Tires - Mud is an especially soft surface to have to drive in and as such can make it very difficult to maintain traction. Tires designed for use in the mud have extra deep treads to help grip into the mud and increase traction. These tires though will wear quickly in hard surface applications.
- Turf Bobcat Tires - Landscaping is a common use for skid steers. When driving frequently over meticulously manicured lawns and grass surfaces, you'll want to minimize the damage that your vehicle does to them. Turf tires are not very good for other surfaces, but they will help protect grass from the potentially destructive nature of your machine.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are plenty of options available when shopping for Bobcat tires for your skid steer loader. Because these machines operate in such a wide variety of conditions, it is important to match Bobcat tires to the unique operating conditions that your skid steer works under. To find out more about Evolution Wheel's solid Bobcat tires visit www.evolutionwheel.com
To learn more about Bobcat tires visit Evolution Wheel's EWRS-AT Series and EWRS-HS Series of premium solid Bobcat tires.
