front wheels with loader

gears · Aug 12, 2014

Ok, so the 6.00 x 16 front wheels are contributing to the difficult steering with the loader (I wish people would've warned me that the gazelle like handling would be compromised by putting a FEL on a 9N :lol: ) I know people put a different wheel (15" floatation) on front to help. My question is will 4x16" tires (Motorcycle takeoffs) help or is it too skinny - its the same width as the 6 16's that are on there. They are HD whitewalls

Failing that what auto 6 lug rim would fit? These are 8N front spindles/hubs.

R Geiger · Aug 12, 2014

I don't think the mc tires would work very good. Don't see them carrying the load. I have 6.50 16 ag/trailer tires on my 8n with FEL.
No tire is going to make it steer like it does with out loader. I have one 8n with 600 16 tri rib tires and it steers like it has power steering but it does not have a loader on it.

old · Aug 12, 2014

With a loader I have found you want a tire that is wider and has a flat profile. Learned that the hard way narrow cuts into the ground making it even hard to steer. Wider tires float over the top of the ground so steer a bit better but still hard to steer with bucket full

howdy1960 · Aug 12, 2014

When was time to replace fronts on 2N with FEL went from 6.50 to 6.0. Both sets are tri rib. Made steering slightly easier but not much. I been wondering if a 5" would make it more easy.
Placing a large heavy wieght off 3 point did help, but really wonder how they turn w/o FEL on. Bucket on mine is the 5' snow/grain bucket.
Another thought been toying with is making a quick disconnect like bobcats use to remove bucket wieght when not needed.

souNdguy · Aug 12, 2014

wider tires help with the weight hauled on the laoder.. and they make it harder to steer.

narrow tires make it easier to steer, and either crush out or cut grooves into the soil you run on.. so no win win situation there. I'd stick with wider tires and only steer when moving..

gears · Aug 12, 2014

yeah, steer with moving is definitely the answer but I was curious as to what a change of tire profile would do - I know on Motorcycles putting a smaller diameter tire in front quickens steering, besides - I've got these 16s and it's not too much work to swap em, compared to buying 15" rims.... The 6x16s really sink into the mud in the backwoods -

R Geiger · Aug 12, 2014

(quoted from post at 01:07:52 08/13/14) yeah, steer with moving is definitely the answer but I was curious as to what a change of tire profile would do - I know on Motorcycles putting a smaller diameter tire in front quickens steering, besides - I've got these 16s and it's not too much work to swap em, compared to buying 15" rims.... The 6x16s really sink into the mud in the backwoods -

If your 6x16s really sink into the mud, think what your 4x16s will do!
earlier I said had have 6.50x16s on my loader tractor. CRS kicked in. what i have is 6.70x15s and yes I have to be moving in order to steer! My other 8n has 5.50x16s and it steers real good with no loader!

Money Pit · Aug 12, 2014

no fel, but i put used harley rear tires on the front of one of mine. had to air them down quite a bit from the sidewall spec to get them to ride without bouncing the front all over. cycle shop pressurized them like they were going on a bike. they have a nice wide footprint unlike the 3 rib tires so have a tendancy to float better. weight capacity may or may not be an issue; what are the 3 rib tires rated at? at leat teh cycle tires you can run higher pressures which may help. i say give it a shot; the tires are free!

greywolf224 · Aug 12, 2014

I run a dearborn FEL and I'm with souNdguy on this. The only other thing that I can add is that you MUST have a good rear ballast to counter weight the front.
I framed out a wooden box ran a 1"inch black pipe through it with some 7/8" pins welded on. Mixed up 10 bags of 80 lb pre-mixed cement and poured it in. With the re-bar and cement I have a 850lb ballast box for about $40

gears · Aug 12, 2014

I've got a box blade hanging off the back but I'm sure I could use more weight, just haven't gotten around to it yet. I figure if the weight is on the box blade I'll still be able to work the blade and the FEL for moving dirt. Rear tires are loaded - would wheel weights help? I'm thinking that wouldn't offset the scoop up front to get balanced handling back.

Caryc · Aug 12, 2014

There have been a lot of threads here about people wanting to put a FEL on their "N". I always told them the same thing.

Be ready for your little "N" that handles like a gazelle to turn into a slow lumbering water buffalo.

I have 6.50 X 16" light truck tires on my 8N. I only turn that steering wheel while the tractor is moving. I've been driving it for over ten years now so I'm pretty well used to it.

howdy1960 · Aug 13, 2014

Have 200#s of wheel weights each side plus loaded tires and nope don't do anything for steering. Still can't turn unless moving.

Caryc · Aug 13, 2014

(quoted from post at 22:20:24 08/12/14) Have 200#s of wheel weights each side plus loaded tires and nope don't do anything for steering. Still can't turn unless moving.

Same as you. I have loaded tires and wheel weights on both sides and even with the big rollover box blade I don't even attempt to use the steering wheel unless I'm moving.

It can also help if you learn to use your breaks on the wheel on the side you want turn to.

Nothing is going to help an "N" with a FEL except power steering. If you're going to pay for that, you might just as well trade up and buy a tractor with power steering.

front wheels with loader

gears

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R Geiger

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old

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howdy1960

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souNdguy

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gears

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R Geiger

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Money Pit

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greywolf224

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gears

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Caryc

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howdy1960

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Caryc

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