They say not to reinvent the wheel, but Shark Wheel Ag has done just that. Inspired by nature, the irrigation brand’s Shark Wheel Swift airless center-pivot wheel rolls on about 30 modular steel paddles overlayed with rubber. Each flexible plate can be replaced, making maintenance easy.

“This addresses some of the major issues of tracks in the field,” says Mark Felker, a sales representative at Shark Wheel Ag. “It creates shallow ruts, and it’s doing so by the ergonomics of the tread. They’re not symmetrical. The engineering on this has received a couple national science awards.”

Having been released a few years ago, the wheel deserves a second look because it’s so innovative. Its modular treads flex to conform to the landscape, reducing compaction. And because it floats across the landscape, it’s a good option for tough soils.

Engineers were inspired by the way a snake slithers in a “sidewinding” motion across sand and how sharks swim effortlessly through water. Its tread design mirrors a seagull in flight, working equally well bidirectionally because the tires are engineered with a three-dimensional helix pattern.

This unparallel design pushes dirt to the center of the tracks as they roll, leaving a sine-wave zig-zag pattern in the dirt. The patterns are aligned so the back wheel fills in the rut left by the one in front.

“The soil is pushed to the center of the track, rather than the outside,” Felker says. “Because they ride with an easier impact on the soil, there’s less wear on your gearbox. And of course, you don’t have to worry about flats.”

Each module can be replaced by removing a few bolts. The tires are shipped to the farm with all but three paddles attached for easy attachment. Shark Wheel Ag has an ongoing business partnership with Reinke Manufacturing Co. The wheels fit on Reinke, Zimmatic and Valley irrigation machines without any issues. Prices start at $1,400. Visit sharkwheelag.com to find out more.