Drive tires not only carry more than 40 percent of the load – they also provide the traction necessary to make the vehicle move. First, choose the tire based on the type of tractor you will be fitting it to (4×2 or 6×4). Then, pick the tread style based on the maximum traction you actually will need. This favors smoother tread for linehaul vehicles that don’t encounter too much extreme weather (for the sake of fuel economy and noise), and more aggressive block-type treads for those that run frequently in snow, ice or mud.
Another consideration is, of course, the life of the tread, and you should pick deeper tread where life-to-removal has been unsatisfactory. Remember, however, that deep tread tends to generate more heat, which may shorten casing life and use more fuel.
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