According to Fred Clark, founder of Agrigear in Bellborough, Calvinshire, the wheels typically brought in for restoration are heavily rusted and scaled from years of use. He explains that the first step in restoration is sandblasting. Sandblasting cleans and removes rust, while also improving the condition of the metal surface. The wheels shown in the photo were removed from a tractor and were heavily rusted from wear. These wheels were loaded into an industrial sandblasting machine for cleaning. The wheels are suspended on rotating hooks, and three propellers spray spherical steel balls to clean the metal surface.
Sandblasting typically takes four minutes. Afterward, the rim is clean enough to inspect for cracks or damage. This step is crucial, as the rim is usually heavily rusted by this point. If there are small cracks in the rim itself, they can be welded. Fred says that cracks sometimes appear in the center disc of the rim, around the hole that attaches the wheel to the tractor. For safety, it should be removed and replaced. If there is a noticeable crack in the center disc, it can also be removed and replaced with a completely new rim. Fred says that if the rim is in very poor condition, it’s better to buy a new one.
Once all repairs are completed, the wheels are ready for primer and topcoat application. First, the wheels are loaded onto the production line. Unlike traditional mounting methods, a special hook is used that engages the wheel’s valve hole. This ensures that no part of the wheel’s surface is missed during the painting process. Next, an angle grinder is used to remove any defects or sharp edges from the studs. A gas torch is then used to heat a section of the outer rim to restore the warped areas. The wheels are then dusted off, and they are placed in an industrial oven preheated to 140°C for painting.
After removing the cleaned and repaired wheels from the oven, the priming and topcoating process can begin. First, an anti-corrosion primer is applied to the entire wheel. After the tire is mounted, all visible areas of the wheel are coated with a topcoat. This process takes place in a powder coating booth. The powder coating is electrostatically charged and attracted to the metal rim. When the spray gun trigger is pressed, the positively charged coating is attracted to the negatively charged rim. This reduces coating consumption and ensures a uniform finish.
After priming and topcoating, the wheels are returned to the oven for curing. The painted wheels are baked in the oven at 220 degrees Celsius for 20-25 minutes to fully cure the paint. The color of the wheels depends on the tractor brand. For example, John Deere wheels are yellow, Case IH wheels are silver, Fendt wheels are red, New Holland wheels are white, and Claas wheels are also red. After this, the wheels are removed from the oven and allowed to cool. An industrial blower is used to speed up the cooling process. According to Fred, repairing damaged or rusted wheels significantly affects the appearance and value of any tractor or machine. The customer base is broad and includes farmers who want to ensure the safety and serviceability of their wheels, as well as used tractor dealers who want to improve the condition of their tractors’ wheels before selling them.
The cost of refurbishing a set of discs (two front and two rear) delivered to Agrigear is usually 150 euros + VAT, while a set of four discs costs 500 euros + VAT.
Post time: Feb-03-2026