📅 Published: 2026-11-02
Tires are one of the largest recurring costs on a wheel loader, and the wrong choice costs twice: once at purchase, and again in reduced traction, heat failures or premature wear. This guide covers the common sizes, the main construction choices, and how to match a tire to the job.
A size such as 20.5-25 means:
Common loader sizes include 17.5-25, 20.5-25, 23.5-25, 26.5-25 and 29.5-25. Always confirm the rim width and the star rating as well as the basic size.
Loader tires carry a star rating rather than a ply rating:
The star rating determines the load capacity at a given pressure. Fitting a one-star tire where the machine calls for two stars is a common and expensive mistake: the tire overheats and fails at the sidewall long before the tread wears out.
**Bias ply** tires are cheaper, have stiff sidewalls and resist impact and cutting well. They run hotter and wear faster on haul roads. They suit abrasive, sharp-rock applications and short cycles.
**Radial** tires run cooler, wear more evenly and give better fuel economy and operator comfort. They cost more and are more sensitive to sidewall damage. They suit long haul distances and load-and-carry work.
For most quarry and yard loaders, radial pays for itself in fuel and wear. For demolition and slag work, bias often survives longer.
Deeper tread gives longer life in abrasive conditions but generates more heat and reduces stability at speed. Match the tread to the surface, not to the catalogue's most expensive option.
| Condition | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Sand and gravel yard | L3 bias or radial, standard stars |
| Quarry face, sharp rock | L4 or L5, cut-resistant compound |
| Load and carry over distance | Radial L3, heat-rated |
| Concrete plant, clean floor | Smooth or L2 |
| Demolition, slag | L5 bias, heavy sidewall |
Most premature tire failures are pressure failures, not tread failures.
A tire run 20 percent under pressure loses a significant part of its load capacity and runs much hotter. On a loader working a full shift, that is the difference between 4000 hours and 1500 hours of life.
On machines with a limited-slip or locking differential, mismatched tire diameters cause wind-up and rapid wear in the driveline. Keep tires matched across the axle, and replace in pairs where possible.
Tire selection is a cost-per-hour decision, not a purchase-price decision. A cheaper tire that fails at half the hours costs more, and it costs downtime on top.
ConPartsWorld supplies aftermarket and OEM-equivalent tires, rims and undercarriage components for wheel loaders and heavy equipment. Send your machine details and working condition for a recommendation and quotation.
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