Goodyear Farm Tires’ low sidewall tech fitted to world’s largest tractor

The biggest tractor in the world, the 1,100hp Big Bud 16V-747 has taken advantage of Goodyear Farm Tires’ low sidewall (LSW) technology, after it was given its first tyre change since 1977. The Titan International agricultural tyre brand supplied Big Bud with 1400/30R46 tyres, fitting eight new rims and tyres. The giant tractor is housed at the Heartland Museum in Clarion, Iowa, its home for the last seven years.

The entire width of the Big Bud, which was paraded down a high street after the tyre change, stands at 25 feet. While the tyres utilised are not currently available across the UK and Europe, Goodyear Farm Tires says the selection provides a major endorsement of the LSW technology.

Scott Sloan, agricultural product manager of Goodyear Farm Tires, said: “I’ve done a lot of projects in 20 years at Goodyear Farm Tires and this has been the biggest and most challenging, but one we are all very proud of.

“There was an extremely iconic tractor with extremely large tyres on it already but we also wanted to retain the persona of the tractor.

“The LSW 1400/30R46s are the largest agricultural tyres in the world so it seemed appropriate to use them on the largest agricultural tractor in the world.

“As soon as we got the Big Bud out of the shed and started putting on the new tyres, we knew we were on to a winner.”

Technology ‘proven’

Big Bud runs on Goodyear Farm Tires’ LSW tyres in size 1400/30R46 (Photo: Goodyear Farm Tires)

Goodyear Farm Tires adds that LSW assemblies “have proven a huge success for farmers across the world.” Larger rim diameters and smaller tyre sidewalls spread less pressure over a much wider footprint, helping to eliminate road lope and power hop.

Lindsay Hart, European tyre sales director for Titan International, said: “The specific product used on the Big Bud isn’t available in the UK and Europe at present.

“However, it’s extremely exciting to see the LSW tyres utilised on such an iconic tractor which is known across the world.

“Goodyear Farm Tires has been a major part of the agricultural landscape for over a century and this is another landmark moment in that journey.”

Titan International has been manufacturing Goodyear Farm Tires in America for more than a decade and purchased the licence for the European and UK markets in 2015. It has also made a significant investment in a new plant and equipment to manufacture tyres specifically for the European market.