Skid Steer Tire Treads: SKS1 vs SKS3, SKS4, SKS5, SKS7

Short answer: SKS1 and SKS5 are chevron, directional treads for dirt, mud and loose ground. SKS3, SKS4 and SKS7 are wide non-directional block treads for concrete, asphalt and constant direction changes. Pick the family first, then the size.

Skid steers are hard on tires. They do not steer like a truck. They turn by skidding, dragging the tires sideways across the ground every time the operator changes direction. Add rock, rebar, demo debris and a full bucket, and it is no surprise skid steer tires wear out as fast as they do.

That is why tread pattern matters so much on a skid steer. On our skid steer pneumatic tire page you will see Sentry Tire Duramax and Forerunner tires labeled SKS1, SKS3, SKS4, SKS5 and SKS7. Here is what separates them, based on what our product pages say about each one.

Two families: chevron and block

Split the SKS lineup into two groups and it gets simple.

Chevron, directional treads: SKS1 and SKS5.
Wide non-directional block treads: SKS3, SKS4 and SKS7.

Each group does a different job. Once you know which group fits your work, the rest is mostly size.

SKS1: aggressive chevron for rugged ground

SKS1 is the chevron pattern most people picture when they think of a skid steer tire. We carry it in several sizes:

According to the product pages, SKS1 tires have:

An aggressive chevron tread designed for rugged terrain.
A directional tread pattern for excellent power transfer.
A reinforced sidewall built to resist punctures and cuts.
Easy mounting on your existing wheels.
A tubeless design.

SKS1 is the pick for dirt work, grading, landscaping and other jobs where you push into soft or loose material and need bite.

SKS5: chevron in smaller and compact sizes

SKS5 uses the same chevron approach as SKS1. We carry it in:

The 23x8.5-12 page describes a chevron tread for rugged terrain, a directional pattern engineered for power transfer when moving forward, a reinforced sidewall that resists punctures and cuts, mounting on existing wheels, and a tubeless design. These sizes fit smaller skid steers and compact machines where 12-16.5 and up will not.

SKS3, SKS4 and SKS7: wide non-directional block

The second group uses a wide, non-directional block tread. We carry:

The product pages describe these tires as having:

A wide, non-directional block tread for wear resistance and traction.
A rugged design that maximizes durability and helps prevent side-wall punctures.
Construction specially designed for skid steers.
Easy mounting on existing wheels.
A tubeless design.

Block treads match hard surfaces like concrete and asphalt, and jobs where the machine changes direction all day. The pattern is not directional, so it works the same going forward or backward. That is how skid steers actually spend their shift.

Chevron vs block: how to choose

This is how we usually help people decide:

Your work	Lean toward
Dirt, mud, loose fill, grading	SKS1 or SKS5 chevron
Concrete, asphalt, paved lots	SKS3, SKS4 or SKS7 block
Demolition and debris	Block tread, or consider solid
Mixed work, lots of direction changes	Block tread
Pushing into piles in soft ground	Chevron

If the machine splits its time, go by where it spends most of its hours and where the tires are wearing out fastest.

Mount chevron tires the right way

Directional chevron tires have a rotation direction. Mount them in the direction marked on the tire, and keep both sides of the machine the same. A chevron mounted backward will not give you the traction you paid for. Check the arrow or direction marking on the sidewall. If you are not sure, ask your tire installer before the machine goes back to work.

Ply rating and size

The SKS lineup runs from 8 ply on the 23x8.5-12 up to 14 ply on the 12-16.5, 14-17.5 and 15-19.5 sizes. Size and ply should match your machine and your current tire. Start with your skid steer manual or the sidewall on the tire you have now. Do not drop ply rating to save money.

When to think about solid instead

If flats are a constant problem, especially on demolition, scrap or recycling work, a pneumatic tire may not be the answer no matter which tread you pick. We also carry solid skid steer tire and wheel assemblies, such as the 30x10-16 Sentry V2D, which the product page describes as a direct replacement for 10x16.5 pneumatic tires. If that sounds like your site, browse our skid steer solid tires.

Habits that get more life out of skid steer tires

Keep pressure where it should be. Low pressure causes sidewall flex and fast wear.
Rotate when it makes sense. Skid steers often wear one side or one axle faster.
Avoid unnecessary spinning. Wheel spin on hard surfaces eats tread fast. Coach your operators on it.
Replace as a set. Mismatched tread depth side to side makes the machine pull and wears the drive system.

Signs your skid steer tires are done

Skid steer tires wear faster than tires on almost any other machine, so look at them often. Check for:

Tread depth. On chevron tires, worn lugs mean the machine loses bite in soft ground. On block tires, worn blocks mean less traction on pavement and faster wear from there.
Sidewall damage. Cuts, gouges and chunks missing from the sidewall are a warning. The reinforced and rugged sidewall designs help, but damage that reaches the casing means the tire gets replaced.
Uneven wear side to side. If one side is worn more than the other, the machine can pull and the drive system works harder. Match tires side to side.
Repeated air loss. Slow leaks often come from bead damage, wheel damage or punctures. Find the cause before you mount a new tire on the same wheel.
Operator complaints. If the machine feels different, slips more or bounces more than it used to, listen to the operator and go look.

Catch these early and you have time to order the right tire before a breakdown pulls the machine off a job.

FAQ

What is the difference between SKS1 and SKS7?

SKS1 is an aggressive chevron, directional tread for rugged terrain. SKS7 is a wide non-directional block tread built for wear resistance and traction.

Are these tires tubeless?

Yes. The SKS1, SKS3, SKS4, SKS5 and SKS7 tires on our site are all listed as tubeless.

Can I mount them on my existing wheels?

The product pages say they can be mounted on your existing wheels when the size matches.

Which tread is best for concrete?

For mostly paved surfaces, the wide non-directional block treads (SKS3, SKS4, SKS7) are the usual choice.

Need help?

Call us at (909) 230-5552 or contact us. Tell us your machine, your size and the kind of work you do, and we will help you choose the right skid steer tire.

Skid Steer Tire Tread Guide: SKS1, SKS3, SKS4, SKS5 and SKS7