Some machines get raised on the farm — others get sent off to explore life in the big city. Compact tractors get the best of both worlds. But to traverse those varied jobsites, your chore tractor will need well-picked wheels to glide with style, traction, flotation and the correct footprint. Today, most compact tractors are sold with what’s called R4 industrial tires. R4 industrial tires have both excellent traction and a soft footprint. Titan and Galaxy are big name brands for R4 industrial tires, which range from $700 for a set of four on small tractors to $2,000 for a set on the largest compact models.

There are typically two more options when it comes to compact tractor tires — R1 bar tread tires and R3 turf tread tires. The R1 bar tread (or Ag style) tire is more aggressive than the common R4. R1 bar tread tires provide the best traction for your buck, but can cause damage on sensitive sites like green lawns or golf courses. Ag tires mounted on rims range in price from $700 a set to $1,700 a set from manufacturers like Titan, Goodyear, Michelin and Firestone.

Going from tough to smooth, turf tires are the least aggressive of the compact tractor tires. Turf tires offer a significantly wider footprint than other tire designs. This reduces the ground pressure (psi) as the tractor’s weight is spread over a larger contact area. Turf tires are popular for golf course crews, landscapers and large property owners that need to traverse large plots of sensitive terra firma. Galaxy and Titan are popular options for turf tires, which can run between $800 to $2,000.