Phromjan J.Phakdee S.Suvanjumrat C.Mahidol University2026-03-062026-03-062026-03-01Results in Engineering Vol.29 (2026)https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/115591Soil compaction and tractive performance are crucial parameters for evaluating the efficiency and sustainability of agricultural tires. Pneumatic tires are commonly used in agricultural machinery. Although a decrease in inflation pressure can benefit soil health, punctures or damage are frequent occurrences that directly lead to operational downtime. Non-pneumatic tires (NPTs) offer a promising alternative to address these challenges. This study evaluates the performance of tractor tires by comparing two NPT designs with three conventional pneumatic tires on sandy clay loam soil, a prevalent substrate for sugarcane cultivation in Thailand. The 3D tire footprint models were analyzed using a mathematical soil bulk density prediction model to quantify soil compaction. The results demonstrate that NPTs induce significantly less soil compaction than pneumatic tires. Among the tested designs, NPT-2 emerged as the most suitable option, striking a balance between tractive efficiency and soil health preservation. These findings highlight the potential of NPTs to support sustainable agricultural practices and provide a framework for designing advanced NPTs tailored to modern agricultural needs.EngineeringArticleSCOPUS10.1016/j.rineng.2026.1097842-s2.0-10503139161725901230