Analysis of tyre transient dynamics is an important aspect in the study of vehicle ride comfort and handling performance. A three-dimensional finite element excavator tyre model considering intricate tread patterns and reinforced inner layers was developed in this paper. For the validation of the finite element tyre model, simulation and experimental results of tyre stiffness and contact pressure on the tyre–road interaction interface were studied and compared. The validated tyre model was further applied to simulate the tyre–speed bump impact, and transient dynamic responses of the excavator tyre such as tyre acceleration were analysed in the time and frequency domain. The influences of the inflation pressure, the translational velocity and the axle load on the tyre transient dynamics were studied and analysed based on the simulation results.