16.9.38 or 18.4.38?

molineubspecial · Sep 23, 2013

Hi there i have a div 3 puller and just wanted some opions on what people thought was a better tire the 18.4x38 or 16.9x38. I have seen the 16.9 out pull the 18.4 and i have saw it the other way also. I kinda like the 16.9 because i think the narrow tire gets a better bite. Regards

johns · Sep 23, 2013

Do you have both sets or are you looking? Depends on the weight class, how much moveable weight you need, brand of tires, how much bar is left, and how hard it is. I personally think 18.4x38 is too much tire in a 5500# class at 3-5mph. 7500# & up I would go 18.4x38.

molineubspecial · Sep 23, 2013

I just got the tractor and it had 14.9.38's on it i personally like the 16.9x38 like a sat firestone or perhaps a bfg. I think in 5500 and 6000 as long as you stay in 4-5 mph classes i think they work good.

VicS · Sep 23, 2013

So you would let me pull against your 16.9X38's with 30.5X32's. There might be a reason the size limit is 18.4X38. Vic

778899m · Sep 23, 2013

VICS ????????????????????????? Bigger is not always better.

S.D.L. · Sep 24, 2013

Depending on which tire you get, some are wider and some are narrower within the same size. For example I just recently mounted up some 16.9x38 F151's on 16" wide rims and if you take a measure across them the actual tread width is only 15". Now if you had some SAT's or All Traction LBSB's they would be wider than the 151's and all being 16.9's. I've never had any BFG's so someone else will have to chime in, but maybe this will help if your looking for a certain width along with height. Just my 2 cents..........

jd plowboy · Sep 24, 2013

that is exactly correct. i have had 15.5x38s to 18.4x38s on my wd45 and it pulled the same with both so i run the 15.5.

mightymolinekid · Sep 24, 2013

The last pull I was at, 6500 lbs 4 MPH speed limit, big tires were the answer. The track was wet sticky clay and two factors came into play. You had to have enough HP to hold 3.8 MPH through 260 feet AND you had to have 18.4 tires. The guys with 16.9/38 tires were 30-50 feet behind 2nd place, they had good power but couldn't get hold of the track. However I've also seen it go the other way. Wet muddy track the big tire guys couldn't get traction and a stock Oliver 770 with 15.5 tires took 1st by 15 feet LOL. In my opinion, it depends on the tracks you'll be running and how your tractor is set up. Big tires are useless if you can't turn them.

Anonymous-0 · Sep 24, 2013

I'd take my 16.9's over a set of 18.4's any day. They are easier on the gear ratio for 4mph classes, give a good weight to footprint ratio & they easier on the movable weight. We have a set of LSB firestones & a set of powergrip 30's BFGs that we hand cut years ago & they have been very consistent.

WNY Molines · Sep 24, 2013

I run 16.9s on my U with widened rims and it does well. There are some days that guys will get me with 18.4s but there are a number of factors that can contribute to that and you can't win them all. There are also plenty of days when my 16.9s will walk right through bad spots on the track that put a stop to several 18.4 sneakered tractors. I think that if you found a set with a good lug for the class you want to run, either size would work once you figure out how to weight the tractor.

VicS · Sep 24, 2013

Ah come on. We do have a set of new cut Firestorms 16.9 X 38. If we can make them hold air! No luck so far. Can't seem to get the tire all the way off the rim without tearing it. We do have soap like they take semi tires off with. Can't believe I could go littler and pull better. But they are a little taller and should make me go faster! Vic

Mopower · Sep 24, 2013

I routinely beat 18.4 with my 16.9. The difference is I am running 8 ply Firestone Deep Tread tires with an excellent cut. They are a hair taller and wider than normal 16.9. I've seen many 16.9 tires do well on hard clay, wet or dry. Once things start softening up on wet clay, a good 18.4 will usually win by several feet. On a loose dry track, a 16.9 with a decent aggressive cut helps "dig down" to more grippable soil. Just my experience a variety of outdoor tracks with a forgiving sled...

LCB · Sep 24, 2013

Hay VicS if you are going to throw them 18X34 away let me know because I am interested. I don't think there is that much difference in height but would be interested in your tires.

VicS · Sep 24, 2013

I didn't say I was going to get rid of them. I said I was going to try some 16.9's. I may have the best set of tires in the USA. You may have the second best!

. No Eric B. has the best, he beat my WC with them on at Salem. But it did come in second. There was some double cut Firestone 18.4 X 38 in the class also. I think the 15.5-14.9's were 30 to 40 ft back.

Anonymous-0 · Sep 25, 2013

VicS...use murphys tire mounting compound, its like a grease it works wonders on them old crappy beads

16.9.38 or 18.4.38?

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