
Stubble Damage
Of course you want the healthiest crops possible, but when it comes to some plants, the healthier they are at harvest time, the worse they can be on your tires. Scientific breakthroughs in insect resistance lead to stronger stalks on plants like corn, beans, and cotton, and that means an increased risk of damage to your equipment tires. Stubble damage occurs when stalk remnants pierce or erode the tread or tire wall.
Stubble Piercing is the result of strong, sharp stalks (stubble) puncturing the tire wall and causing air loss. As the name implies, Stubble Erosion happens over time, as plant stubble gradually chips away and wears through tire treads to expose the radial cords.
Reducing and Preventing Stubble Damage
For years, farmers did their best to lessen the impact of stubble on their tires through homemade ingenuity. Today there are a variety of commercially available products on the market that have been specifically designed to prevent stubble damage to agricultural tires. While Firestone does not endorse or recommend specific products, these are a few of the many available devices on the market*:
See Also: Device for Protecting Tires from Stubble Damage
To find out more about what Firestone is doing to minimize the effects of stubble damage on tires and tracks, talk to your local Certified Firestone Dealer.
*These products may not be right for your specific equipment and needs. Ask your equipment manufacturer for specific recommendations.
How does Stubble Damage Effect Your Tires
Take a look at how stubble damage effects Ag tires in this video with Firestone AG tire expert Tom Rodgers.
Tips on Dealing with Stubble
Learn how to protect your tires from stubble damage in this video with Firestone AG Tire expert Tom Rodgers.