tractor pulling tires 15.5 or 16.9.

mdross

Member
For the last few years been doing very well running 15.5 F/R on 70 JD and strongly considering stepping up to 16.9 Super All Traction. Looking for feedback on how these tires work. Most of our tracks are hard based and we are speed limited.
 
the 16.9X38 will put 63 square inches more rubber on the ground over the 15.5X38. The 15.5 is 189 squares inches of rubber on ground and a 16.9 is 252 square inches of rubber to ground.
 
I stepped up from 15.5 titan to a 16.9 sat on a 730d pulling on horse show tracks, made a world of diffrence, hard tracks not so good
 
Most all our tracks are hard based. I'm considering the Super All Traction II's if Firestone makes them in that size. What do run for pressure in your 16.9's and how much bigger in dia are the titans 15.5 to 16.9?
 
Air pressure -- - - - air pressure, -- hard track,-- hard tire. SAT traction work well,adjust air pressure,no tire works perfect all the time. However I have had the advantage over many bigger tires with a set of off brand 13.6.Happy Holidays.
 
It's not all tire pressure. Weight placement, knowing how to read track, and knowing what you tractor can do and can't do.
 
Agree it is all about knowing your tractor weight placement and reading the track. Not to mention those pullers not following the rules and getting away with it. Times are a changing once I started winning they kept asking me to weigh making focusing on how it all works that much more important.
 
dbeuatty,we are talking tires,so air pressure is the only factor to change at the pull,-- but for sure doing well is based on many things,like even just showing up,and of course many other impacting choices,where you drive,what position you pull at, how you read the track,how much compression,how many rpms,what gear,how close to the speed limit can you maintain,are you sure you have the drawbar where you think it will work best,not just weight placement either. HAPPY HOLIDAYS !!!!
 
I run Titan 14.9-38's on my 60 horse G and they aren't enough on soft tracks even at 7500 lbs, but on good clay tracks in ideal condition they are just about right, even at 6500 lbs. 14.9's are slightly larger in diameter, but the tread is 1/2 to 1 inch narrower than most 15.5's, they have over 200 sq, inches of contact area. I've thought about 16.9's too but I don't care enough about winning because the pulls I enter are pretty small time...and I ain't getting any younger......
 
dbeuatty we think the same way, the tractor has been optimized so that finishing pulls with frontend in the air with the engine idling. Power is not the issue anymore it is traction I need to optimize. Larger tires is the next step looks like it will be 16.9's once I decide on the bar configuration. 23 degree seems to be the best choice now is it F/R or Super All Traction II's
 
It is certainly an exercise in patience. A lot of work either way, the weights get heavier every year to lift that is. Still look forward to every single pull.
 
that is for sure,weights are heavier every yr.-- I see so many custom lighter wts made. Same with the cold,not as fun as it was yrs ago. It is fun to tighten the chain and hear the purr and see how the pull ends,making a good long pull early in a class with a lot of entries is nerve wrecking. LOL
 
No single brand or tread pattern tire will dominate on every tractor on every track. There is experimenting and trial and error involved to see what works. Having said that: there was a big push locally for SAT a few years ago. Now almost NO ONE runs them. Also: SAT II HAS fewer lugs than same size SAT.
 
Last year I dominated the 7500lb class this year we have a surprise contender a woman on a Farmall Super M. All the boys that know these tractors say she should not be doing as good as she is. If it continues they are going ask her to drive onto the scales like they did me a few times last season. Honestly like you the whole process backing up to the sled when the green flag lifts hit the clutch gently feed the throttle and follow your line. My wife loves it I wish I could have her sitting beside me just one time.
 
My opinion:
Soft track = skinnier tires such as 13.6-38 will prevail over wider tires.
Hard track = big fat tires win 9/10 times.
On soft tracks in lighter classes my Super M gets outpulled by little H's on 11.2's. Talk about annoying.
On the same soft track, when I start putting the weight on and my 15.5's grab its a different game. Soft tracks are common around here.

The above is just one of many variables though.
 
No one stays on top very long,other contenders come and go,when in the front of the pack,we have a TARGET on our back. Why does she need to be cheating to win??????????????????
 
Have you tried moving some weight to the front to hold it down? I have moved enough weight forward so that at the end of pull the front end may see 2 to 4 inches of air.
 
Don't think I've ever been to a pull where everyone didn't cross the scales after every hook. If you don't check weight what do you check??
 
The scale issue only happens when a someone enters a weight class and starts winning all the time then they are asked to weigh their tractors otherwise it is the honor system. We will have to wait and see what happens next season in the meantime I have plenty of time to explore the tire sizes. Honestly the competition makes pulling fun I'm anxious to see that Farmall back in action and yes I'll be aiming for that bulls eye. Looks like I will be focusing on the 16.9's so far the Firestone F/R seems to be the best choice for the tracks we run on. Now to find a good deal on them.
 
At our pulls the scales are set up 2 hours before pull so you can get tractor weight set and know what you have to add or take away. You have to go to the scales and weigh when you finish your pull and if you don't your DQed.
 
We have scales at most of the tracks plus the club has a mobile scale. I like to weigh just to be sure and I'm always changing things trying to dail in the tractor. Agree it would eliminate any concerns of people playing outside the rules but that is not my decision to make. All we can do if someone starts winning big is suggest the tractor be weighed. No matter how the pules go it is a pure pleasure to participate win or lose. After all the expense of the tractor, trailer and truck to haul it not to mention fuel,wear and tear the reward is a small trophy or ribbon.I do it because of farming back ground, hanging with all the other pullers and how good it feels when pulling up to the sled.
 
I took the plunge and purchased a pair of 16.9 Firestone F/R with 16" rims. These tires should not hurt gearing too bad and the extra width adds up to a little more bite once I get the tire pressure dialed in. Weight placement is always fun staying on top of. Ive set the tractor up now so I can run in two different classes 7000 & 7500 lb.
 
(quoted from post at 12:48:42 12/23/17) I took the plunge and purchased a pair of 16.9 Firestone F/R with 16" rims. These tires should not hurt gearing too bad and the extra width adds up to a little more bite once I get the tire pressure dialed in. Weight placement is always fun staying on top of. Ive set the tractor up now so I can run in two different classes 7000 & 7500 lb.

I have a set of Michelin BibAgri (from overseas) in 16.9-38 on 16" rims. I can't wait to try them over the 45 degree 14.9 Firestones on it now!
 
(quoted from post at 12:28:29 01/08/18)
(quoted from post at 12:48:42 12/23/17) I took the plunge and purchased a pair of 16.9 Firestone F/R with 16" rims. These tires should not hurt gearing too bad and the extra width adds up to a little more bite once I get the tire pressure dialed in. Weight placement is always fun staying on top of. Ive set the tractor up now so I can run in two different classes 7000 & 7500 lb.

I have a set of Michelin BIBAGRIP (from overseas) in 16.9-38 on 16" rims. I can't wait to try them over the 45 degree 14.9 Firestones on it now!
 
Depending on the rules of your pull you may not be allowed that size tire. The pull I work only allows one size up and on that it could be either 15.5 or 14.9 as orignal size was 13.6. And no widened rims.
 

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