Tractor Tire installed backwards

I finally replaced the right rear tire on my 1952 Ferguson TO20. It was so old that the rim had to be replaced as well. I've got it set up on the hub with a few of the carriage bolts in place, and I now realize that the tire appears to be have been installed backwards. I'll try to explain the geometry clearly, but it's going to be difficult.

First, I think that it should be obvious that the tread chevrons on the top of the tire should point forwards. That's what the illustrations and photographs on my manual show.

Second, the rim can be mounted with the valve stem on either the inside or the outside. If the rim is mounted with the valve stem on the inside, the tire itself is close to the fender and the wheel base is 64" -- the same width as my brush hog. If the rim is mounted with the valve stem on the outside, the tire is extended outwards from the fender and the wheelbase is about 68", I'm guessing. My guess is that the valve stem should be in the inside, keeping the tires fairly close to the fender. But I realize that, in some conditions, the user might want the wider wheelbase.

Third, the left tire, which I replaced a year ago at the same tire place (Les Schwab), has the valve stem on the inside with the tire tread chevrons on the top of the tire pointing forward.

Fourth, when the right tire is mounted with the valve stem on the inside, the tire tread chevrons on the top of the tire point BACKWARD.

I have two options:

1. Dismount the wheel, get it back into my van -- a very tough job because I don't have any special tools and it weighs 300 pounds. Take it back to Les Schwab, argue with them (they won't understand), convince them to repair it, wait a week (it took them two weeks to get the new stuff), and then start over. A lot of work at a crucial time. It's fire season and I REALLY need that tractor for mowing and taking out forest floor fuel.

2. Live with it. Which brings me to my question for the assembled gallery of old pros who know tractors: will the tractor tend to skid in one direction under a load because the two tires are reversed relative to each other?

Thanks for any help you can offer.

It sounds like they forgot to mark the direction of the tread on the rim when they removed the tire,as you stated you can put it on with the valve stem facing out,however one side is going to look a little odd,but if you wanted to widen the tread at a future date it wouldn't work,you would still end up with one tire facing forward and one backwards,does Les have a farm service truck? if so have them come out and reverse it mounted on the tractor,that's how they do it around here all the time.And it appears to have been their fault.

I would get it taken care of now. your bad tire was probably broken down, than it was discovered you needed a rim, ordered, got confusing from there--bottom line, you got new unit back assembled different than what you brought in. more trouble for sure, but tire company most likely will correct it quick.

I had to reverse one tire on my VAC because it wouldn't fit on my trailer, as I have to move it again soon I just left it. I've mowed with it (sickle bar and brush hog) without any problems. Probably don't want to plow with it though.
That being said if they messed up they need to know now, maybe have them fix it after fire season is over.

Another option would be to flip the wheel center to set it out more unless the center is already that way. Or taking the wheel center and mounting the tire on the inside of it instead of the out side depending on what set up you may have. If I remember right your tractor should have the rim that bolt to the centers and the centers can be reversed and your able to get at least 4 ways to mount so as to move the tire in or out more

Hi I'm not sure about it making the tractor slide more on some surfaces in general dry use I've no experience with the problem. But it will make the tire thats backwards clog the tread with mud if you get in a wet clay type area driving forward. it will not self clean like the one pointing the other way with the narrow of the lugs pointing forward. it will just become a ball of mud creating a slick effect tire.

I'd point out to the tire shop it's wrong and hope they fix it for you to match the other one. If I see a used tractor for sale with a tire on backwards, it always kinda makes me think what else didn't they really care about while they owned it . It may be nothing else wrong but you never know with some guys.
Regards Robert

Your problem was you did not explain how the tire should have been installed because the installer doesent know without you telling him. Thats what i do and never have any problems so go back and tell them it was your mistake and you are sorry and they will be glad to install it the correct way just mark the direction the rim rotates with an arrow on the outside of the rim then they can install it correct.

Other than looking a little odd, you won't notice. If you need the tractor go ahead and run it. I've put on spares which would not reverse and ran them that way for years. If anybody asks just tell them it's so you can back out of a muddy spot.

I'd say they need to turn it around on their dime as any tractor place I know of will mount the a replacement tire back on the rim the same way it came off unless told to
do something different.And if I didn't have a loader and had to haul tractor tires in a van I sure wouldn't be getting fluid put in them.

When I take a MC tire/wheel in to have a new one installed I put a piece of tape on the rim with the direction of rotation, to avoid this. It really doesn't matter if the valve stem is in or out, I have broken them off in both positions. The tire will run fine either way, but the narrow way will make it more tipsy.

He should have mounted it the way it came off. That's the tire guys mistake,unless it was installed wrong in the first place.

I think that there was no original given to the dealer, it was rusted out. (a guess) Jim

Call them and explain it to them. If they are like mine they will come to your house and fix it.

That's no joke. I have the drivers on my combine mounted backwords so I can't get myself very far in the wet hole and I can always back out.

Can you drive the tractor to the tire shop if they won't come out to your place?

If it doesn?t have fluid in it, dismount it yourself. Will take about 1 hour if you have the right tools

Thanks everybody for the good advice. I called the Les Schwab people, they apologized profusely and sent out a fellow to fix it. He not only fixed it, he re-mounted the tire on the tractor for me. Along the way, he taught me all sorts of useful things about tires and tractors.

Good deal. That would've annoyed you to no end if you'd left it backwards, and it only gets more difficult to change the longer the tire is mounted... Probably took the guy less than an hour, right?

Les Schwab's are good people.

It’s refreshing to hear a compliment about a company. You will probably be a repeat customer of theirs because of their helpful attitude.