971D complete! Now I want wider front tires.. help?

JChamp · Jul 8, 2013

Well, we finally got the 971D Select-O-Speed finished and the front loader is on as well!

She starts every time we ask her to and works like a mule. We sure do love this tractor!

Now a question:

We want to go with a wider tire up front. The 6.00-16 3-rib ag's just cut into the mud too much and make things difficult. Does anyone know if there are wider, commonly available rims out there that will fit the 901 series and allow me to use passenger truck tires? We don't need weight holes, that front loader is beefy enough

I would put them on the existing rims but they seem rather narrow for the truck tires I have in mind (may work but did not measure).

Thoughts?

.

souNdguy · Jul 8, 2013

2 options. put truck tires on wide implement rims.. or buy multi rib tires instead of them pesky tri ribs.

i have an 850 with truck tires on it. if you have ps and a loader.. probably not bad.

i have an 850 with muklti ribs on it.. no ps.. but does have a loader.. but now has a hoe too.. so not too front heavy....

JChamp · Jul 8, 2013

We do have power steering (thank heavens), and I thought about the multi's, but it seemed to me that we would save a lot with readily available passenger tires, since used they are a dime-a-dozen comparatively. Especially if she sees road time going to bush hog job that are readily available in our area.

Now, having said that, it's the wide implement rims I'm interested in!

You wouldn't happen to have a source would ya?

.

Vito · Jul 8, 2013

A 6.5-16 is a tight squeeze.I have one as a spare that was used for
a couple of years.

Vito

36 Coupe · Jul 8, 2013

I have 6.50x16 tires on my 640.They run close to the spindle.You will have to change rims to go wider.

JChamp · Jul 8, 2013

Hmmm... Found some 8x16 wheels with the 4.62" center hole... $113 each. Ouch! That's almost double a standard rim.

Think I'm going to look for some 6x6" bolt circle road equivalents. I can get those for 10 bucks ea.

If anyone knows a match I'd certainly appreciate it. Would save me mucho research time

showcrop · Jul 8, 2013

My 901 came with a loader and oversized fronts. They are nearly smooth with about six 3/8 wide grooves. very similar to an implement tire. They were on the original rim and I have seen a vintage photo of one with the same tire which leads me to believe that they were built that way. Beautiful job on the 971D, I have one that is not restored along with a 961 and a 960. Please keep that loader down when not lifting or loading.

JChamp · Jul 8, 2013

Thanks, we're mighty proud of her and yes, we certainly do keep her down.

8)

.

JChamp · Jul 8, 2013

More Pics:

1960 Ford 901 (971) 172cid Diesel SOS Single Speed PTO Rowcrop, wide front end, Power Adjust rims, Freeman front loader, Quick hitch, Hydraulic top link

cbrown9064 · Jul 8, 2013

Really nice looking tractor! Great work!

showcrop · Jul 9, 2013

Here are a few of my 901

Will Gumbert · Jul 9, 2013

Wow, that's a really beautiful looking tractor, nice
job!
As to the front tires, I think I would just keep the
rims you have and put some summer truck tires on.
When I first got my loader tractor years ago, it had
those (see pic above)and they worked OK for most jobs. If I remember, they were 6.50x16. Of course you have a different front axle, but with the wheel dished-out it should work. Not wider but won't tear up the turf as much! -Will

Ultradog MN · Jul 9, 2013

If you have a boneyard near you with some 5000/7000 size Fords you could buy the front rims used. 16", same hole size and bolt pattern as your 901 but much wider.
These were on a 4000 that I bought. I sold them.

JChamp · Jul 9, 2013

I feel a bit silly that I didn't consider boneyards, being such a vet of them and all, and there *is* one near the cabin.

Going to stop there soon for sure.

Thanks!

.

NoNewParts · Jul 10, 2013

(quoted from post at 14:38:53 07/09/13)
I feel a bit silly that I didn't consider boneyards, being such a vet of them and all, and there *is* one near the cabin.

Going to stop there soon for sure.

Thanks!

.

take your measurements carefully at the scrapyard.
16" wheels are so common, there are lots of variations.
I have a 850 with 6.5x16, lots of clearance on the right, left rubs.
a casual glance says both wheels are the same,
but a tape shows a slight difference in offset.
like said, truck tires are best. I've had multi-ribs with their
'round' tread profile and they steer very easily, but
are useless in snow or clay mud.
Multi-ribs also have a bigger sidewall bulge at the same pressure and rim width.

Ecnerwal · Jul 10, 2013

Used radial truck tires work for me (not same model you have, but I think it did have 6.50's, or a 6.50 on one side and a 7.00 on the other - or perhaps a 6.00, I don't recall) - but I guess the book says it was supposed to have 7.50 tires, so it may have more clearance to the spindle.

Put on some old load range E (10 or 12 ply equivalent - overkill) steel belted all-season radials I had leftover from replacing all 4 on a truck with 2 good ones. It's not like you are looking for a tire with much tread, so used ought to work fine for you.

steak · Sep 9, 2014

(quoted rom post at 10:22:24 07/08/13) Well, we finally got the 971D Select-O-Speed finished and the front loader is on as well!

She starts every time we ask her to and works like a mule. We sure do love this tractor!

Now a question:

We want to go with a wider tire up front. The 6.00-16 3-rib ag's just cut into the mud too much and make things difficult. Does anyone know if there are wider, commonly available rims out there that will fit the 901 series and allow me to use passenger truck tires? We don't need weight holes, that front loader is beefy enough

I would put them on the existing rims but they seem rather narrow for the truck tires I have in mind (may work but did not measure).

Thoughts?

.

JChamp.
You've done a nice restoration on the 971. I hope to have mine looking as well sometime soon.
I have a few questions re the pedestal on your factory w.f. and powee steering assist.
Please email me if you have the time.
Thank you.
Steak

GVSII · Sep 9, 2014

Coupe,do you have your front rims turned "dished side out"?That should give you more clearance,tire to spindle.

uote="36 coupe"](quoted from post at 15:48:29 07/08/13) I have 6.50x16 tires on my 640.They run close to the spindle.You will have to change rims to go wider.[/quote]

971D complete! Now I want wider front tires.. help?

JChamp

Member

souNdguy

Well-known Member

JChamp

Member

Vito

Well-known Member

36 Coupe

Well-known Member

JChamp

Member

showcrop

Well-known Member

JChamp

Member

JChamp

Member

cbrown9064

Member

showcrop

Well-known Member

Will Gumbert

Member

Ultradog MN

Well-known Member

JChamp

Member

NoNewParts

Member

Ecnerwal

Member

steak

Member

GVSII

Member

Similar threads