Choosing the Right Ploughing Equipment According to Tractor HP and Tyre Size
- J. Finesse
- Jan 19
- 3 min read
Ploughing is one of the most power-intensive operations on a farm. Selecting the right plough is not just about tractor horsepower. Tyre size, traction, weight balance, and furrow width all play a major role in how effectively a tractor can plough.
When the tractor and plough are mismatched, farmers often face wheel slip, poor soil turnover, higher diesel consumption, and faster wear of tyres and implements. This guide explains how to choose ploughing equipment correctly based on tractor HP and tyre configuration.
Why Choosing the Right Ploughing Equipment According to Tractor HP and Tyre Size Matters
Horsepower determines how much pulling force a tractor can generate. Higher HP allows a tractor to pull more furrows, work wider ploughs, and plough deeper at better speeds. However, this power can only be used effectively if the tractor has the right tyre size and traction.
If tyres are too narrow or ballast is insufficient, even a high-HP tractor will struggle. Wheel slip increases, fuel consumption rises, and ploughing quality drops. In many cases, a well-ballasted tractor with wider tyres performs better than a higher-HP tractor with undersized tyres.
How Tyre Size Affects Ploughing Performance
Rear tyres directly control how much of the engine’s power is converted into usable pulling force.
Correct tyre size helps in:
Better ground contact
Reduced wheel slip
Improved torque transfer
Stable and uniform ploughing depth
If tyres are undersized, the tractor spins instead of pulling. This leads to shallow ploughing, uneven furrows, and excessive diesel usage.
Matching Plough Type to Tractor Configuration
Disc ploughs require high draft force and strong traction. They are best suited for:
Medium to high HP tractors
Tractors with wide rear tyres
Hard, dry, or residue-covered soils
Farmers using disc ploughs benefit greatly when tyre width and ballast are properly matched to tractor HP.
MB ploughs provide clean soil inversion and uniform furrows. For best performance, they need:
Steady pulling power
Good tyre grip
Correct furrow width
If the plough’s furrow width is narrower than the tractor’s rear tyre, the tyre runs partly on unploughed soil. This increases rolling resistance, causes uneven tyre wear, and raises fuel consumption.
Hydraulic reversible MB ploughs are heavier and designed for continuous use. They require:
Adequate tractor lifting capacity
Wider rear tyres for traction
Balanced tractor weight
Because they plough in both directions, they improve field finish and reduce turning time. Ashok Metal Works hydraulic reversible MB ploughs are designed keeping Indian soil conditions and common tractor tyre configurations in mind, helping farmers achieve better output when matched correctly.
Practical HP–Tyre–Plough Matching Table
Tractor HP Range | Typical Rear Tyre Size | Suitable Plough Type | Recommended Furrows |
35–45 HP | 12.4 × 28 / 13.6 × 28 | MB Plough | 1–2 Bottom |
45–55 HP | 13.6 × 28 / 14.9 × 28 | MB / Disc Plough | 2 Bottom |
55–65 HP | 14.9 × 28 / 16.9 × 28 | Disc / Reversible MB | 2–3 Bottom |
65–75 HP | 16.9 × 28 / 18.4 × 30 | Reversible MB Plough | 3 Bottom |
(Actual performance depends on soil type, ballast, and field conditions.)
Wheel Slip – A Key Indicator Farmers Should Watch
Excessive wheel slip usually means:
Plough is too large
Tyres are too narrow
Tractor weight is insufficient
This leads to higher diesel consumption, uneven depth, and faster wear of tyres and implements. Correct matching keeps slip within limits and improves productivity.
Benefits of Correct Matching
When tractor HP, tyre size, and plough are correctly matched:
Diesel consumption reduces
Soil turning improves
Tyre life increases
Plough life increases
Operator fatigue reduces
This directly improves farm efficiency and lowers operating cost.
Choosing the right ploughing equipment is not only about horsepower. Tyre size, traction, weight balance, furrow width, and number of furrows all determine how efficiently a tractor can plough.
When matched correctly, ploughs deliver better soil preparation, lower fuel costs, and longer service life. Ploughs designed for Indian tractors—such as those manufactured by Ashok Metal Works—are built to work effectively across common HP ranges and tyre configurations, helping farmers get consistent and reliable performance in the field.
Ashok Metal Works – Ploughs Designed for Indian Farming
Ashok Metal Works manufactures mouldboard, disc, and hydraulic reversible ploughs engineered for Indian soil conditions and tractor configurations. Each plough is designed for proper load balance, long life, and dependable field performance.
📞 +91 94251 49002
📍 Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh
🇮🇳 Made in Bharat
