BKT Tyres-Any good?

[down n'dirty]

Looking to replace full set of tyres on main ploughing,cultivation tractor. Have had quotes for all the main brands and BKT are coming in substantially cheaper. Am tempted but wondering if there are any drawbacks or problems with this make? Interested in anyones experiences!

 

[john432]

My experience of the 70 series is that they weare away very quickly on tarmac. Know of others having good use out of the lower profile 65 series

 

[DrDunc]

Tyre lugs are deep but quite narrow. Good grip on most surfaces when they dig in, and the 70 series that I have certainly clean well. However as already stated, they don't wear too well doing road work (probably because of the narrow lugs giving less road surface contact).

Have you priced Bridgestone VX? They are designed for excellent wear resistance on high load machines, especially road work. Lugs are double the thickness of bkt, far better grip, good comfort and obviously better wear resistance.

The Bridgestone were only a couple of hundred more than bkt for a full set past back end, I'd highly recommend them

 

[Pistonbroke]

Tyre lugs are deep but quite narrow. Good grip on most surfaces when they dig in, and the 70 series that I have certainly clean well. However as already stated, they don't wear too well doing road work (probably because of the narrow lugs giving less road surface contact).

Have you priced Bridgestone VX? They are designed for excellent wear resistance on high load machines, especially road work. Lugs are double the thickness of bkt, far better grip, good comfort and obviously better wear resistance.

The Bridgestone were only a couple of hundred more than bkt for a full set past back end, I'd highly recommend them

Wouldn't thicker lugs be less likely to dig in and grip? That's what I don't like about our trelleborgs. I like the look of vredestein but never tried them

 

[Timbo]

Looking to replace full set of tyres on main ploughing,cultivation tractor. Have had quotes for all the main brands and BKT are coming in substantially cheaper. Am tempted but wondering if there are any drawbacks or problems with this make? Interested in anyones experiences!

This question comes up repeatedly about every couple months. Where have you been ? The short answer is just buy the bkt's.

 

[Kevtherev]

BKT are fine but remember they are a budget tyre.

 

[DrDunc]

Wouldn't thicker lugs be less likely to dig in and grip? That's what I don't like about our trelleborgs. I like the look of vredestein but never tried them

Aye but the grip is also about carcass flex as the tread enters the contract patch. Bridgestone are a completely new design and they seem to have got it right.

If you're after a budget tyre then there is absolutely no doubt whatsoever that bkt cannot be bettered for value for money.

However Bridgestone are trying to gain market share and you can buy a premium performance tyre from them for very little more than the budget bkt

 

[oakleaf]

l was pricing tyres for a 30 year old tractor in the spring so wasnt going for high end. More or less assumed it would be BKT but got a surprise when the full set of Kleber came in 300 cheaper from a different supplier.
Kleber were always a highly regarded tyre in the past, no idea if that still holds true but l bought them anyway so we shall see.

 

[down n'dirty]

Its 650/65R42 rears that I'm looking at-Klebers are coming in at about a grand more for a full set of front and back tyres, Vredestein £1400 more than the BKT's. Wouldn't be doing much roadwork, so mainly looking for grip in the field and good wear characteristics.

 

[DrDunc]

Its 650/65R42 rears that I'm looking at-Klebers are coming in at about a grand more for a full set of front and back tyres, Vredestein £1400 more than the BKT's. Wouldn't be doing much roadwork, so mainly looking for grip in the field and good wear characteristics.

In that case prices up Bridgestone VS

It's their competitor for Michelin omnibib low pressure field tyres, but the Bridgestone is advertised as being better wear characteristics. They were also little more than bkt prices last autumn.

Isn't it hellish when you ask for opinions on one make and get 37 alternatives?

 

[SILVERLADY]

Have 650/ 65r 42 and 540`s on front BKT`S for about 1000 hours lots of road work and varied field work all i can say is Brilliant grip very good wear good running backs at 18 PSI ON 240HP TRACTOR

 

[ORRA LOON]

In that case prices up Bridgestone VS

It's their competitor for Michelin omnibib low pressure field tyres, but the Bridgestone is advertised as being better wear characteristics. They were also little more than bkt prices last autumn.

Isn't it hellish when you ask for opinions on one make and get 37 alternatives?

I’m pretty sure Bridgestone are guaranteeing that their tyres will out last your previous set , they must have some confidence in them.

 

[oakleaf]

In that case prices up Bridgestone VS

It's their competitor for Michelin omnibib low pressure field tyres, but the Bridgestone is advertised as being better wear characteristics. They were also little more than bkt prices last autumn.

Isn't it hellish when you ask for opinions on one make and get 37 alternatives?

Better than getting no replies at all ☺

 

[daveydiesel1]

Friend has put on ling long, starrmax and gri recently. They were cheaper than bkt and look real nice tyre and grip really well. Also ceat would be worth a look

 

[down n'dirty]

In that case prices up Bridgestone VS

It's their competitor for Michelin omnibib low pressure field tyres, but the Bridgestone is advertised as being better wear characteristics. They were also little more than bkt prices last autumn.

Isn't it hellish when you ask for opinions on one make and get 37 alternatives?

Are you sure you’re not a Bridgestone distributor

 

[Sid]

Know two tractors with Bridgestones on them and they are extremely pleased so far on a variety of work.

BITS locally have come off with a high amount of tread remaining due to lack of grip.

Was also told that Treliborgs cleats get wider as they get more worn, giving better wear rate but grip can be a challenge in some conditions, ie grassland work as the edges round and don't cut in.

 

[Pistonbroke]

Bridgestone very hard to get locally. Bkt easy, trelleborgs dangerous on grass once 25% worn

 

[clbarclay]

I'm not sure about on grass, but there was a study years ago on tyre performance as they wear which found that it was more economical to replace tyres once the tread was about 50% worn.

 

[Muck Spreader]

Like most things, you get what you pay for. IMO BKT are an ok general purpose tyre, but if you are an arable farmer you probably wouldn't want them on your cultivating tractors.

 

[Boysground]

Have had bkt on a tractor before and we were surprised how good they were, fair bit of road work with the tanker, some cultivating and ploughing. Sold that tractor 4 years ago so no idea how long they would have lasted.

Just had another tractor arrive on vredestein will be interesting so see how they do.

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