The advent of pneumatic tyres

Tractors are a vital cog in the world economy, and such luminaries as Massey Ferguson tractors keep the agricultural model feeding the world. 1932 was the year which saw a huge development in the history of the tractor. Up until this juncture, the materials used were steel, cast iron and wood, but in 1932, Allis-Chalmers, Firestone and Goodyear pioneered pneumatic tyres- and from thenceforth rubber became a crucial component of tractor manufacture. Allis-Chalmers were the first to offer an 'air tyre', on their model U tractor, but the concept rapidly caught on, and soon all manufacturers were utilising them.

Firestone began by making rear wheel tyres, replete with a chevron tread pattern, whilst Goodyear favoured a diamond patterned tread. A battery of tests revealed that an air pressure of 12 psi was perfect for tractor tyres.

Allis-Chalmers had actually presented the innovation to the engineers of other companies, in a meeting in 1932, whereby they demonstrated their findings, using graphs and figures to illustrate the pneumatic tyre's superiority over steel wheels. The other engineers were dubious however, and their scepticism was mirrored by the farmers who operated the tractors. This initial reluctance was overcome by demonstrable empiricism, when tyre manufacturers worked in conjunction with tractor dealers to perform experiments in front of the farmers. They conducted demonstrations of ploughing, using two tractors, identical in every way except that one was fitted with pneumatic tyres, and the other with steel wheels. They showed that the benefits of pneumatic tyres were many; they could plough faster; they gave better traction; they were smoother and produced lest kick-up, and they were able to be driven on roads.

In 1933, Allis-Chalmers began a promotional exercise which involved racing tractors at various state fairs. 1934 saw A-C test a row-crop tractor fitted alternately with pneumatic tyres and steel wheels. The pneumatic tyres were proven to be more fuel efficient, and offer better drawbar pull power. The power of economics dictated that once this had been established, farmers were quick to clamour for pneumatic tyres.