Grandpa Thinker,
Our neighbor just bought a tractor with rubber tracks. Why do some tractors have tracks instead of tires?
Jonathan from Minnesota

To explain we’re going to use a big word here and that word is flotation. Flotation means almost the same thing as float, like what a boat does on the water. In this case the tractor with tracks has more rubber touching the ground than one with wheels and by spreading the weight over a greater area it helps to keep it from sinking into the ground too far. Next time you’re around a sand box try poking one finger into the sand. It goes in pretty easy right? Now try holding your hand flat against the sand. It won’t go into the sand will it? That’s flotation. Some tractors have dual wheels for the same reason. G.T.