Kubota Tractor Corp. has picked a tire manufacturer for its first-ever exclusive fitment on Kubota compact tractors — Titan International Inc.
The Goodyear R14 crossover tires will be exclusive on select Kubota compact tractor models. The deal also extends to Kubota's Canadian subsidiary, Kubota Canada Ltd. “The vast majority of compact tractors on the market are being sold with R-4 tires, but there’s a drawback when it comes to traction. If you go with an R-1, then you have more traction, but more vibration on hard surfaces. Up to this point, there hasn’t been a tire as versatile as the compact tractors they’re going on,” says Jacob Sherman, Kubota product manager for compact tractors. “After testing the R14, we knew it could perform equally as well in the variety of snow, field, yard, loader and pasture applications our customers expect from our machines. That’s why we wanted to jump on this opportunity. We believe the Goodyear R14 is a game-changer for our dealers and customers — it’s one more factor that sets Kubota apart from the competition.”
Kubota conducted detailed testing of the Goodyear R14 tire, which Titan says features a unique, new-to-market hybrid tread design combining elements of an ag tread (R-1), turf tread (R-3) and industrial tread (R-4). Kubota believes the industry needs to move toward this hybrid-type tire, given its results from slip and vibration testing.
While the BX-Series and B-Series Kubota models included in the agreement will still offer many of the same R-1, R-3 and R-4 tires as options, Sherman says he expects “the majority of our customers will migrate to the Goodyear R14.”
Scott Sloan, ag product manager for Titan and Goodyear Farm Tires, says, “We’re really proud of the R&D that went into this R14 tire. We try to keep our finger on the pulse of our customers’ needs, and we knew there was a serious unmet need when it came to tire versatility in the compact and subcompact market.
"We’re excited that Kubota, as a leader in that market, shares our vision for the future of compact tractor tires. It’s a great partnership that will ultimately benefit both our companies and our collective customers.”
In addition to the sizes offered exclusively from Kubota at the original equipment level, the Goodyear R14 line has been expanded to include a total of 18 sizes for the aftermarket — both in standard and Low Sidewall Technology (LSW) options — for compact tractors up to the 150 horsepower range.
For more information, visit titan-intl.com/R14T.
