Astro farm tractor tires were quite common here in Canada back in the 1970s and 80s. I ran quite a few of them and was always pleased with the service from them. About 15 years ago they seemed to disappear.I have an Astro tire on my Farmall 130, I bought it used about 15 years ago to match a 30% worn tire on the other side, and it out lasted that tire and looks like it's going to outlast another. The Astro tire still has about 1" high tread, but the amazing part, there is no weather cracking on it anywhere. The 130 has probably sat outside the equivilant of 5 years in the past 15 years. My Super A has Generals I put on it new in 1993, they are wearing good, but have weather cracks galore. Here is the kicker, 6 month old Firestones on my 140 are starting to weather crack already, and I bet it hasn't sat outside 60 hours since those tires were installed. My tractors are very seldom out on public roads, and never on black top. To think I listened to all you guys and your hype about those Firestone Field and Road Tires. Now, mind you, back 30 years ago, I never had to concern myself about weather cracking, we wore them fast enough they were history in 5 or 6 years. I was in a used tractor lot last week, must have been close to a 100 tractors there, and every tire had weather cracks. The owner of the lot told me today's tires crack within 1 year doesn't matter what breed they are, or whether they are stored inside or out. Are the rest of you guys seeing this same thing?
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