Haybob Tyres: Choosing the Right Tyre for Hay Tedders and Rakes

When hay-making season arrives, haybobs, tedders, and rakes clock up serious hours across fields that can be rough, uneven, and full of hidden hazards. The small tyres on these machines often get overlooked until they fail - but choosing the right haybob tyres and keeping them in good condition can make a real difference to efficiency and downtime.

This guide covers what to look for when selecting or replacing tyres for hay tedders and rakes, including the four key sizes, why multi-rib tread is the standard choice, and practical considerations for the UK market.

What Are Haybob Tyres?

Haybob tyres are the small tyres fitted to hay-making equipment - rotary tedders, belt rakes, wheel rakes, and similar machines. These are distinct from the larger implement tyres used on heavy agricultural equipment; haybob tyres are compact, typically running on 6-inch to 8-inch diameter rims, and are designed specifically for the lighter loads and faster ground speeds of hay-making work.

Unlike tractor tyres, which need to provide traction, haybob tyres are primarily about smooth rolling, stability, and minimising ground disturbance. They need to handle the machine's weight, roll efficiently across stubble and uneven ground, and resist punctures from the debris commonly found in hay fields.

The Four Key Haybob Tyre Sizes

The vast majority of haybobs, tedders, and rakes in the UK market run on one of four tyre sizes. If you are stocking for the season or replacing worn tyres, these are the sizes to focus on:

• 15x6.00-6: The smallest of the common sizes, used on compact tedders and lighter rakes. A good all-rounder for smaller machines.
• 16x6.50-8: One of the most popular sizes, offering a balance of load capacity and compact dimensions. Fits a wide range of mid-sized hay-making equipment.
• 16x9.50-8: A wider option on the same 8-inch rim, providing more flotation and stability. Useful where softer ground conditions are common.
• 18x8.50-8: The largest of the core haybob sizes, offering greater load capacity and a smoother ride over rough ground. Common on larger rotary tedders.

These four sizes cover the overwhelming majority of hay-making equipment. Always check your machine's manual or measure the existing tyres before ordering - the size is printed on the sidewall.

Why Multi-Rib Tread Is the Standard Choice

Haybob tyres almost universally use a multi-rib tread pattern. This design features continuous circumferential ribs running around the tyre, and it is the standard for good reasons:

• Smooth rolling: The continuous ribs provide low rolling resistance, so the machine moves efficiently across the field without dragging.
• Minimal ground disturbance: Unlike aggressive lug patterns, multi-rib tread does not tear up the surface. This matters when you are working on grassland that needs to recover quickly.
• Even wear: The rib pattern wears evenly across the tread width, extending tyre life compared to block or lug patterns.
• Debris shedding: The grooves between ribs allow grass, mud, and debris to clear rather than building up on the tyre.

The Redwing Multi Rib range covers all four core haybob sizes, manufactured to Redstone's quality standards with consistent sizing and reliable performance.

Ply Rating and Load Capacity

Even though haybob tyres are small, they still need to carry the machine's weight reliably. Most haybob tyres come in 4-ply or 6-ply ratings:

• 4PR: Suitable for lighter tedders and rakes. Adequate for most standard hay-making equipment where loads are modest.
• 6PR: A heavier-duty option for larger machines or where the tyres carry more weight. Also more puncture-resistant due to the thicker carcass.

Check your machine's specifications if you are unsure. In general, matching the ply rating of the original tyres is the safest approach.

Tubes and Valve Types

Most haybob tyres are designed for use with inner tubes. When ordering replacement tyres or tubes, pay attention to the valve type:

• Straight valves (TR13): The most common type, easy to inflate with standard equipment.
• Bent valves (TR87): Sometimes used where clearance is tight or the rim design requires it.

Keeping a stock of replacement inner tubes in the right sizes and valve types means you can swap out a punctured tube quickly rather than losing hours waiting for delivery mid-season.

Puncture Risks in Hay Fields

Hay fields are full of puncture hazards: thorns, old fencing wire, staples from bale wrap, and sharp stubble. The sheer distance haybobs cover during tedding and raking means punctures are a common frustration.

Practical steps to reduce puncture problems:

• Pre-season field check: Walk fields before hay-making begins. Remove wire, old fencing stakes, and obvious hazards.

Tyre sealant: Applying sealant to haybob tyres provides automatic protection against small punctures. It plugs holes as they happen - often before you even notice.

• Correct pressures: Underinflated tyres are more vulnerable to puncture damage. Check pressures at the start of the season and regularly during heavy use.
• Carry spares: A spare wheel or at least a spare tyre and tube means you can swap out a puncture on the spot rather than losing half a day.

When to Replace Haybob Tyres

Small tyres are cheap to replace, and the cost of a new tyre is always less than the cost of a breakdown during hay-making. Replace tyres when:

• Sidewalls are cracked or perished: Age-related degradation weakens the tyre, even if tread looks acceptable.
• Tread ribs are worn smooth: Worn multi-rib tyres lose their ability to shed debris and roll smoothly.
• Multiple repairs have accumulated: A tube with several patches is more likely to fail when you can least afford it.
• The tyre is visibly damaged: Cuts, gouges, or bulges mean immediate replacement.

Replacing tyres before hay-making season starts means you are not scrambling for parts when every hour of good weather counts.

Find the Right Haybob Tyres

Redstone stocks the Redwing Multi Rib range in all four core haybob sizes - 15x6.00-6, 16x6.50-8, 16x9.50-8, and 18x8.50-8 - along with matching inner tubes and tyre sealant.

Need help finding the right size? Call us on 01243 558959 with your machine details and we will match you to the correct tyre. Next-day delivery is available on stocked items