Agricultural Tire Recycling in the US: Processing Tractor and Farm Tires

By:     Kieran Donnelly

Agricultural tires in the United States represent a waste stream that is simultaneously large in volume, spread across enormous geographic areas, and largely invisible to the urban-focused tire recycling infrastructure that handles most US passenger and commercial tire volumes. An estimated 65 to 75 million end-of-life agricultural tires are generated in the US each year. Many of them sit in farm fields or rural scrap piles because the collection and processing economics have never been made to work for small farm operations far from urban processing centers.

For recyclers with the right equipment, right geographic positioning, and understanding of agricultural tire characteristics, that gap between generation and proper processing represents a genuine market opportunity. This article covers the agricultural tire categories generated by US farms, the processing equipment required, the regulatory framework, and the commercial models that make agricultural tire recycling viable.

Agricultural Tire Categories in US Farming Operations

US agriculture generates end-of-life tires from a diverse range of equipment. Row-crop tractors on large Midwest grain farms use R-1 (bar lug) agricultural tires in sizes from 11.2-28 for smaller tractors up to 620/70R42 and larger for high-horsepower row-crop machines. These large radial tractor tires, common on modern 300-400 horsepower equipment, are significantly larger and heavier than the bias-ply tires they replaced and require more substantial processing equipment.

Combine harvesters generate large drive and steering tires, typically in the 520/85R42 and 900/60R32 size ranges for modern high-capacity combines. These tires are among the largest regularly replaced agricultural tires in US crop production.

Processing Equipment for Agricultural Tires

Agricultural tires occupy a size range between Class 8 truck tires and OTR mining tires. Many large radial tractor tires exceed the capacity of standard truck tire sidewall cutters but are smaller than the large mining OTR tires that require the heaviest OTR processing equipment. This intermediate size range is where agricultural-specific processing equipment is designed to operate.

The Gradeall Agricultural Tire Shear is designed specifically for the agricultural tire size range, handling the radial tire construction and size profile of modern large tractor and combine tires. For smaller agricultural tires below the R-1 large radial range, the Gradeall Truck Tire Sidewall Cutter can handle tires within its specified size range.

Large agricultural tires that exceed the capacity of the agricultural shear, including very large flotation tires from articulated grain carts and some specialty equipment, may require OTR processing equipment. Assess the specific tire sizes in your target market against equipment specifications before committing to a processing line configuration.

Collection Logistics: The Rural Distance Challenge

The primary commercial challenge in US agricultural tire recycling is collection economics. Farms are geographically dispersed; a single farm may generate only 4 to 8 large tires per year. Collecting those tires profitably requires either a collection route that aggregates sufficient volume from multiple farms, a depot-based model where farmers bring tires to a central location, or a tire dealer exchange model where the dealer accepting the customer’s trade-in tires accumulates volume at their location.

The most commercially successful models for rural agricultural tire recycling in the US have used the tire dealer as the collection hub. Agricultural tire dealers already handle new tire deliveries to farms; adding a return load of old tires at competitive gate fee rates converts an existing logistics channel into a collection system without the cost of dedicated collection routing.

“Agricultural tire dealers are the most cost-effective collection channel for farm tires,” says Conor Murphy, Director of Gradeall International. “They’re already making the trip to the farm. The question is whether the dealer will take the old tires back, and that depends on whether there’s a processor with the right equipment who will accept them at a rate that makes the dealer’s logistics worthwhile.”

Regulatory Framework for Agricultural Tire Waste in the US

Agricultural tires are regulated as solid waste under most state waste tire programs. The regulatory framework varies significantly: some states have active collection programs funded by advance disposal fees (ADF) on new tire sales that fund collection events and processing subsidies. Others have minimal programs that leave agricultural tire management entirely to market forces. States with active agricultural tire programs include Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, and several others in the agricultural heartland.

Processing agricultural tires at a commercial facility requires the same waste tire facility permits as other tire categories. State permit applications, hard-standing requirements, and storage limits apply equally to agricultural tires. Review the Gradeall tyre recycling equipment range for equipment specifications relevant to agricultural tire processing, and contact Gradeall to discuss the configuration appropriate for your target agricultural tire mix.

Market Outlets for Processed Agricultural Tires

Processed agricultural tires access the same TDF and crumb rubber markets as other tire categories. Large agricultural tires have high energy content per tire (a large radial tractor tire may contain as much combustible material as 30 to 40 passenger tires), making them attractive for TDF buyers who accept them at competitive gate fee rates.

Agricultural tires also have higher rubber content relative to steel compared to commercial truck tires, because agricultural radials use lower steel content in the belt package than highway tires. This makes them attractive feedstock for crumb rubber operations that benefit from higher rubber-to-steel ratios in their input material. The clean rubber compound of agricultural tires is also valued by some specialty rubber recycling operations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are US farmers required to properly dispose of agricultural tires?

Requirements vary by state. Some states with active waste tire programs require farms to document proper disposal of end-of-life tires. Most states with agricultural tire collection programs encourage but do not mandate participation. At the federal level, agricultural operations are largely exempt from commercial solid waste regulations under RCRA’s agricultural waste exemptions, though state regulations may be more restrictive. Check with your state agricultural department and environmental agency for the specific requirements in your state.

What are the gate fee rates for agricultural tires in the US?

Gate fees for agricultural tires vary by size and region, but typically range from $5 to $50 per large tractor or combine tire. Smaller agricultural tires in the 14.9R28 and similar range are at the lower end; large radial combines and high-horsepower tractor tires are at the higher end. State-supported collection events in states with agricultural tire programs may offer reduced or no-cost collection for farmers, with the program funding covering the processing cost.

How does the Gradeall Agricultural Tire Shear work?

The Gradeall Agricultural Tire Shear uses hydraulic shearing action to cut through the tire carcass, producing sections suitable for baling or transport to downstream processors. It is designed for the size and construction profile of modern radial agricultural tires, including the sidewall and tread profiles of large tractor and harvester formats. The machine processes tires that are too large for standard truck tire sidewall cutters but within the agricultural size range, providing a size reduction step before baling or shredding.

Can I process agricultural tires with the same baler I use for car tires?

Smaller agricultural tires in the 11.2-28 to 14.9R28 size range can potentially be baled on a standard tire baler after sidewall cutting, as their overall dimensions may fall within the baler’s capacity. Larger modern radial tractor tires in the 620/70R42 and above range are too large in cross-section and too stiff in construction for standard balers even after cutting. A size assessment against your specific baler’s input capacity is required; contact Gradeall with the specific tire sizes you plan to process for guidance.

Are there specialized programs supporting agricultural tire recycling investment in the US?

Several states operate programs that support agricultural tire recycling infrastructure. Illinois EPA’s agricultural tire collection program, Indiana’s used tire program, and similar initiatives in Midwestern agricultural states have provided funding or market development support for processors who can demonstrate agricultural tire processing capability. USDA rural business development grants have also funded recycling infrastructure in rural areas, including tire processing. Research the programs available in your specific state before planning a new agricultural tire processing operation.

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