Home Blog Agriculture/Tractor TyresLogger Tyres: Choosing the Right Tyres for Forestry and Log Haulage Equipment

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September 3, 2026

Logger Tyres: Choosing the Right Tyres for Forestry and Log Haulage Equipment

Heavy-duty 400/60-15.5 forestry logger tyre for logging equipment

Forestry is one of the toughest working environments for tyres. Logging machines operate on rough forest roads, uneven ground, mud, stones, tree roots and steep terrain while carrying and moving heavy loads.

For this reason, logger tyres require a different approach from ordinary tractor or implement tyres. A tyre used on forestry machinery needs to provide a combination of traction, stability, load-carrying ability and resistance to cuts and impacts.

At Automarket, we specialise in agricultural, forestry and heavy-duty tyres, and we understand the importance of recommending a tyre according to the machine and its actual working conditions.

What Are Logger Tyres?

Logger tyres are tyres designed for machinery used in forestry and logging operations. They can be found on equipment such as:

Loggers
Forestry harvesters
Forwarders
Skidders
Forestry trailers
Timber-handling equipment
Crank loggers
Other specialised forestry machinery

Forestry machines often operate away from normal roads, where the ground can be unpredictable and tyre damage is a greater concern.

Manufacturers such as Trelleborg specifically produce forestry tyres designed for harvesters, forwarders and forestry trailers. Their TWIN Forestry T404, for example, is available in 400/60-15.5 and is designed for forestry trailers and smaller forestry machines. The manufacturer highlights its wide contact area, rounded shoulders and traction characteristics.

400/60-15.5 – A Logger Tyre Size We Have at Automarket

One of the important forestry tyre sizes available from Automarket is 400/60-15.5.

This is a particularly interesting size because it is used across several forestry and agricultural applications.

Kenya’s own technical procurement documentation lists 400/60-15.5 for three-wheel tele-loggers, demonstrating that this size is used on specialised logging equipment.

We also have 400/60-15.5 Heavy Duty agricultural/forestry-compatible tyres and tubes in our range, making this a useful size for customers looking for replacement tyres for forestry and related equipment.

The size is also offered by several major tyre manufacturers:

Trelleborg T404 – 400/60-15.5
Petlas IMT18 – 400/60-15.5
BKT TR 882 – 400/60-15.5
Mitas TR-08 – 400/60-15.5
MRL agricultural/implement ranges – 400/60-15.5

BKT’s TR 882 is particularly relevant because the manufacturer describes a specific version for forestry applications with trailers, with standard, heavy-duty, aramid-belted and special versions available in 400/60-15.5.

Petlas also lists 400/60-15.5 in its IMT18 forestry range, describing the tyre as a general-purpose forestry tyre with reinforced tread and shoulder compounds, durable casing and sidewall protection against impacts.

Why Forestry Machinery Needs Specialised Tyres

1. Tough and Uneven Terrain

A logger does not operate on the smooth surfaces encountered by normal road vehicles.

Forestry machinery may travel over:

Rocks
Tree roots
Mud
Loose soil
Gravel
Slopes
Forest tracks
Fallen branches
Uneven ground

The tyre therefore needs to provide dependable traction while coping with obstacles and uneven surfaces.

2. Resistance to Cuts and Damage

Forestry is particularly demanding on tyre sidewalls and tread areas.

Branches, rocks, stumps and sharp objects can damage tyres. For this reason, specialised forestry tyres often incorporate reinforced casings, tread compounds and sidewall protection.

Petlas, for example, highlights reinforced tread and shoulder compounds and a special sidewall compound on its IMT18 forestry tyre for demanding forest conditions.

This is one of the reasons why fitting an ordinary agricultural tyre simply because the size matches may not always be the best solution.

3. High Load-Carrying Capacity

Logging equipment can carry and transport substantial loads.

A tyre must therefore be selected according to the machine’s axle loads and operating conditions.

The 400/60-15.5 size illustrates how different specifications can exist within the same basic size. Manufacturers offer different ply ratings, load indices and constructions.

For example, BKT lists 400/60-15.5 versions ranging from standard 8 PR through 14 PR and 18 PR, including Heavy Duty and Special versions.

Therefore, when replacing logger tyres, the size alone is not enough.

4. Stability Is Extremely Important

Forestry machinery frequently operates on uneven and sloping ground.

A wide tyre can provide a substantial footprint, helping distribute the machine’s weight over the ground.

Trelleborg describes its T404 forestry tyre as having a wide contact area and rounded shoulder design, while Petlas highlights its larger footprint and soil protection characteristics.

This combination can help improve stability and reduce excessive ground pressure in appropriate applications.

5. Traction Without Excessive Soil Damage

Forestry operators need traction, but excessive soil disturbance can also be undesirable.

A well-designed forestry tyre attempts to balance:

Traction + flotation + stability + durability.

This is especially important when machinery is operating on soft forest ground.

Petlas describes its forestry pattern as being designed to provide grip on soft terrain while offering a larger footprint to reduce soil compaction.

Examples of Logger and Forestry Tyres

The 400/60-15.5 is only one example.

Depending on the machine, other forestry tyre sizes can include:

400/60-15.5
500/60-22.5
550/60-22.5
600/50-22.5
18.4-26
23.1-26
460/85-30

For example, Trelleborg’s forestry T404 range includes 400/60-15.5 and 500/45-22.5, while Petlas’ IMT18 forestry range includes 400/60-15.5, 500/60-22.5, 550/60-22.5 and 600/50-22.5.

A forestry equipment specification from Bell Equipment also illustrates how 400/60-15.5 Trelleborg T404 can be used on a crank logger, alongside larger forestry tyre sizes on other wheel positions.

Logger Tyres vs Ordinary Agricultural Tyres

Although forestry and agricultural tyres can sometimes share sizes, they are not necessarily designed for exactly the same conditions.

Feature	Standard Agricultural Tyre	Forestry/Logger Tyre
Main application	Farming	Forestry/logging
Terrain	Fields and farm roads	Forests, rough tracks and uneven terrain
Sidewall protection	Varies	Often reinforced
Cut resistance	Moderate to high	Particularly important
Load requirements	High	Often very high
Traction	Important	Critical
Impact resistance	Important	Extremely important
Soil protection	Important	Important
Heavy-duty construction	Application dependent	Frequently required

This is why professional tyre selection matters.

Why the Same 400/60-15.5 Tyre Can Have Different Specifications

This is something customers should always consider when purchasing forestry tyres.

Two tyres may both be marked:

400/60-15.5

but they can have different:

Ply ratings
Load indices
Speed ratings
Tread patterns
Casing construction
Sidewall protection
Intended applications
Maximum permissible loads

For example, Mitas offers a 400/60-15.5 TR-08 with a flotation tread designed for transport equipment, highlighting traction, braking and lateral stability.

Meanwhile, BKT’s TR 882 includes versions specifically intended for forestry trailers and demanding applications.

Therefore, choosing the correct logger tyre requires more than matching the tyre size.

Automarket – Specialists in Logger, Agricultural & Heavy-Duty Tyres

At Automarket, we specialise in Agricultural and Forestry Tyres, and we understand that different machines require different tyre solutions.

Whether you operate:

A logger
Forestry harvester
Forwarder
Skidder
Forestry trailer
Agricultural trailer
Tractor
Heavy-duty implement

we can help you identify the appropriate tyre based on the size, machine, load and operating environment.

Our 400/60-15.5 range is a good example. This size can be found across agricultural, forestry and specialised logging applications, but the correct specification depends on the equipment and working conditions.

We don’t believe in simply selling a tyre because the numbers on the sidewall match.

We believe in recommending the right tyre for the job.