I'd be interested to hear from some of the other tire geeks on YT as to their experiences with older (and new if you wish) rubber quality and the effects of age or abuse on different brand of tires generally used today for pullers. Here's my assesment of ten years buying/selling/trading tires.
GOODYEAR
Older Goodyear tires from the 40's & 50's seem quite robust to the elements. However, there was a point in the company's history at which the sidewall quality suffered. All newer Power Torque, Traction Torque, and 45deg Diamond tires crack on the sidewall eventually, usually before the tread warrants replacement. Traction Torque tires in particular have a split in one line entirely around the sidewall, only seen when flexed or when the casing finally starts to split. Twenty five years on a moderately used Moline loader yielded no significant tread wear, yet both 14.9X28 6 ply tires split and blew the sidewalls out on the same day with 12-14 pounds of air pressure in them. Other sizes have yielded similar results. The old Power Torques (predecessor to the Traction Torques) seemed tough, but hard to find.
B.F. GOODRICH
The rubber of almost all the BFG tires I've used or owned stays very shiny and black, even with the pounding the sun gives them. The rubber cuts very nice. Some pairs I've owned were incredibly old, still maintaining their good appearance. They do wear faster than some. The 30degree tread tends to crack in a major way between the bars on almost every one I've owned. I've had tube eventually creep out of some cracks and fixed with a good boot job. Very similar to Co-op Agri-Power (not the cheaper built Agri-Master).
ARMSTRONG
These are the cheapies but take a good top cut, pull agressively, and usually don't weigh much. They are prone to huge cracking, and I've even seen rubber start peeling off in layers from the case and on the sides of the bars. I love em, some hate em. Moderate quality but good diggers. Titan and Maxi-Trac are newer versions.
FIRESTONE
Firestone by far has been the most robust all around tire. Especially the older ones. They will have huge cracks, beat up beads, and keep on going. The "gum dipped" label on the side means something. These include the 45 degree style, ricers, All Traction Field & Road F151, and the mighty Deep Treads (these were nearly indestructable and logged long hours before replacement. Some 23deg tread, Deep treads being the worst offender, wear down in the middle pretty easy (rim width is a factor). But, the thick casing allows for good cuts anyway. Later variations included the lighter plain Field & Road, Traction Field & Road, Heavy Duty Field & Road, and Super All Traction tires with 23 degree tread. They seem to be good quality, but less of a sidewall and more prone to wear or puncture.
ODDBALLS
Co-op (usually BFG)
General
US Royal
Alliance
Kelly
Husky
Cambridge
Vredestein
Gempler's
Stomil
Wards Riverside
etc.
I'd love to hear what other rubber geeks have seen, repaired, swore at, burned, popped, pulled, ground, and used.
GOODYEAR
Older Goodyear tires from the 40's & 50's seem quite robust to the elements. However, there was a point in the company's history at which the sidewall quality suffered. All newer Power Torque, Traction Torque, and 45deg Diamond tires crack on the sidewall eventually, usually before the tread warrants replacement. Traction Torque tires in particular have a split in one line entirely around the sidewall, only seen when flexed or when the casing finally starts to split. Twenty five years on a moderately used Moline loader yielded no significant tread wear, yet both 14.9X28 6 ply tires split and blew the sidewalls out on the same day with 12-14 pounds of air pressure in them. Other sizes have yielded similar results. The old Power Torques (predecessor to the Traction Torques) seemed tough, but hard to find.
B.F. GOODRICH
The rubber of almost all the BFG tires I've used or owned stays very shiny and black, even with the pounding the sun gives them. The rubber cuts very nice. Some pairs I've owned were incredibly old, still maintaining their good appearance. They do wear faster than some. The 30degree tread tends to crack in a major way between the bars on almost every one I've owned. I've had tube eventually creep out of some cracks and fixed with a good boot job. Very similar to Co-op Agri-Power (not the cheaper built Agri-Master).
ARMSTRONG
These are the cheapies but take a good top cut, pull agressively, and usually don't weigh much. They are prone to huge cracking, and I've even seen rubber start peeling off in layers from the case and on the sides of the bars. I love em, some hate em. Moderate quality but good diggers. Titan and Maxi-Trac are newer versions.
FIRESTONE
Firestone by far has been the most robust all around tire. Especially the older ones. They will have huge cracks, beat up beads, and keep on going. The "gum dipped" label on the side means something. These include the 45 degree style, ricers, All Traction Field & Road F151, and the mighty Deep Treads (these were nearly indestructable and logged long hours before replacement. Some 23deg tread, Deep treads being the worst offender, wear down in the middle pretty easy (rim width is a factor). But, the thick casing allows for good cuts anyway. Later variations included the lighter plain Field & Road, Traction Field & Road, Heavy Duty Field & Road, and Super All Traction tires with 23 degree tread. They seem to be good quality, but less of a sidewall and more prone to wear or puncture.
ODDBALLS
Co-op (usually BFG)
General
US Royal
Alliance
Kelly
Husky
Cambridge
Vredestein
Gempler's
Stomil
Wards Riverside
etc.
I'd love to hear what other rubber geeks have seen, repaired, swore at, burned, popped, pulled, ground, and used.
