Tires for JD 70

The 14.9-38 tires on my 70D are gradually cracking (and from two different manufacturers). Someday I will need a new pair.
Why are 14.9's so much more expensive than 15.5? Is there any reason not to go with a 15.5 instead?
 
Firestone Field and road 14.9 x 38.
a177536.jpg
 
This tractor pulled a very large disk that was used on a 120 acre field in Avarado, Texas.

The tires are 13.6x38.

a177539.jpg" width="650"


Hope this helps.
 
Your 15.5s will differ in diameter. There are some 15.5s that are only 1 1/2" in diameter smaller than a 14.9x 38. By the charts the 14.9x 38 puts more rubber on the ground than a 15.5x 38. If you go to 15.5 x 38 you would more than likely have to go to a 14"wide rim. If I amnot mistaken the 70 stock wheel was 12" wide.
 
You are right on 15.5x 38 need to be on 14in rims, but if they came from the factory with 14.9x38 they were on 13in rims. i don,t think they make 13in rims any more
 
The 14.9x38 are expensive because its a low usage tire size, always was even when they called it the 13-38. The 15.5x38 was much higher usage, used on far more tractors of all colors, even over 100 hp tractors. For disking, especially on loose ground, DUALS are the best way to go. 15.5's are the same diameter, size, whatever way you want to describe it as the 13.6x38's that were the standard size on a 70. I'd put 15.5's on the tractor and 13.6 on some duals, clamp-on duals would work fine. We ran that tire combination on a 450 Farmall then 4010-D, neighbor ran it on his JD 730-D.

You will actually gain ground speed, cover more ground with duals, 15.5 and 13.6's over the taller single 14.9's because you will eliminate so much slippage. BTO I worked for had 18.4x34's on all his fieldwork tractors. When pulling his 14 ft disk on plowed ground those 4020's were really slipping compared to what I was used to. Even with our little 12 ft disk without duals we we slipped lots, with duals, hardly any.
 
From the charts and data the 70 came from factory with 13.6 x 38 tires in 12" rims. You can put 14.9 x 38s on 12" rims. Both the 14.9 and 15.5 tires are expensive and around here 15.5s are harder to get than the 14.9s.
 
You do know that the 14.9 x38 put more rubber on the ground than the 15.5 or 13.6 tires.The 14.9x38-200 sq.in. on ground. The 15.5x38-189 sq. in.on ground. 13.6x38-168 sq. in. on ground.
 

Different Manufacturers make differing tires in both width and height and are still wear the same size on the sidewall..

I have a set of Good Year "Titans" (15.5x38) that are 2 to 2 1/2" taller than my 15.5x38..both sets same as new..

I am in Central Ohio and I have a set of "clamp-on Duals" I will never use..both have excellent rims, with the spacer..I do not have the clamps..

They have one pretty good 14.4x38 and the other is a badly checked and worn 15.5x38...

Let me know, I want to sell them for Cheap...!!
 
Just because they will fit on 12in rims don,t mean that you should do it the 15.5 was made for 14in rims, the side wall & tread don,t work correct and flex to much
 
From the data it apears that 13-38's were used on the John Deere 70's when tested at Nebraska. 14.9-38's are the current equivalent to the old 13-38's. They actually are noticeably larger in total tire cross section and have a heavier carcass weight too, besides being about 7 inches greater in circumference giving more ground contact area, but the actual tread width is usually (depending on the brand) a little less. I replaced the 12-38 tires on my John Deere G's with 14.9-38's using the stock rims and they seem to be "just right" for plowing, parading, or pulling......And they'll "get right down the road" in 6th gear too.
 
I ran 14.9x38s on 12" rims on my 49 John Deere A and they looked fine and was the replacement for 13.6x38. I have 15.5x38 on my IH 450 and they are on 14" rims.You could run ether size tire but would have change rims for 15.5s.
 
From the data it apears that 13-38's were used on the John Deere 70's when tested at Nebraska. 14.9-38's are the current equivalent to the old 13-38's. They actually are noticeably larger in total tire cross section and have a heavier carcass weight too, besides being about 7 inches greater in circumference giving more ground contact area, but the actual tread width is usually (depending on the brand) a little less. I replaced the 12-38 tires on my John Deere G's with 14.9-38's and they seem to be "just right" for plowing, parading, or pulling......And they'll "get right down the road" in 6th gear too.
 

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