Armstrong were always the weak, poorer ag tires for decades, that is likely the influence that keep coming through.....
Firestone is the clear leader of high quality.
Anything else and you had the cheap Chineese tires, or one of the several small companies that are now rounded up under the Titan umbrella.
After the tarriff issue the USA imposed upon China, all tires have gone up drasitically in the USA. Worldwide demand for tires helped too.
So we are left with Firestone, Titan/Goodyear, or an import.
As mentioned, the fella that runs Titan used to be active on the other farm forum, but he kinda got pounded down by people with issues. To be sure Titan tires are not the top quality; but he's a good guy trying to keep a USA business afloat in trying times.
Titan/Goodtear is a cheaper tire, probably why it came with your tractor - less cost to the OEM. Tractor tires tend to sit out a lot, with no wheel wells over them like a car. The sun beats them up pretty good; and as a low speed tire they have different standards than a high=speed auto or truck tire has.
So - yep, they likely weather checked a little early.
I got tires on my tractors that weather checked 15 years ago. Still going strong.
You need to compare apples to apples, those Titan tires will be a good value for you for years and years, small weather checking or not.
If you expected showroom quality tires for decades, then no Titan isn't for you.
I understand the disappointment of not getting what you expected, but then - a tractor is a working thing, not a museum piece, a few weathering cracks won't hurt the tire for years and years on a slow-moving tractor. A lot of farmers would jump at the chance to get a $100 discount on a lightly checked tractor tire, it's really no big deal. Perhaps you had your expectations a little high on this....
Hope you get what is important in life sorted out for yourself before next week, so we don't have to see 3 more threads all the same rant.
--->Paul
