Harvest pushes all farm equipment to breaking point and chaser bins are no exception. A full load puts massive stress on chaser bin tyres so if your bin's tyres are over or under-inflated it can quickly lead to damage to your machine and your soil.

For a full breakdown of tyre sizes, load index and speed ratings, and how tyre choice affects soil compaction, see our chaser bin tyre ratings guide.

Consequences of over or under-inflated tyres

Under-inflated tyres can lead to increased fuel consumption, bead slippage, and potential sidewall separation that will rapidly wear your tyres.

Over-inflated tyres can cause increased soil compaction, soil disturbance, and can create ruts in your soil. They can also cause increased machine bounce which will put strain on your hitch and potentially damage your chaser bin and tractor.

Before you start

• "Cyclic load" is defined as the gradual change of payload above the transport load to the maximum allowable load. See Harvest Tyres' load and speed rating tables for how this affects your tyre's maximum carrying capacity.
• Always stay with the tyres while they are inflating to prevent over-inflation.
• Use a clip-on nozzle with an extension hose long enough for you to stand to one side of the tyre while inflating.
• The maximum load must not be carried further than 1.5km before unloading begins.
• Make sure your chaser bin is fully unloaded with the auger in the transport position before any road transport.

Checking your tyre pressure step by step

1. Confirm the correct pressure for your model and tyre. Match your bin capacity and fitted tyre against the chart below, as recommended by the tyre OEM.
2. Fit a clip-on nozzle with an extension hose and an inline pressure gauge, long enough to maintain a safe distance from the tyre assembly.
3. Stand to the side of the tyre, not in front of the tread or sidewall.
4. If possible, use a tyre safety cage or tyre inflation restraint while inflating.
5. Never leave the tyre unattended or walk away while it's inflating. Stay with it and make sure it doesn't go over the maximum rated pressure.
6. Check pressure weekly to keep wear even and the bin operating at its rated capacity.

Determining the correct tyre pressure

Correct tyre pressure is determined by bin capacity and tyre type, and it isn't a single number you can guess at: it's what allows the tyre to actually carry its rated load. Air carries the load, not the rubber, so an underinflated tyre can't carry its full rated capacity no matter what the sidewall says. Harvest Tyres, the OEM fitted to Davimac chaser bins, covers the parameters behind correct working pressures in their guide to understanding tyre pressure.

Tyre pressure should be checked weekly to prevent wear and ensure your bin is operating optimally.

Information courtesy of Australian Tyre Traders