TIRES

So glad we can be good friends Don.

Thanks for the pretty pictures and rude remarks. I guess you really told me, didn’t you? …And in front of so many people, - good for you! You must be much more eloquent than I am. I got your point without any trouble at all, even though you used fewer and smaller words. Why, you didn’t even need to spell properly or use complete sentences, your insults came through loud and clear! Since we all make mistakes, I generally try very hard to avoid embarrassing people, but you beg this exception.

Seriously though, why the declaration of war? I thought my points were clear enough. Since I don’t need enemies and you seem to think I was just trying to pee in your cereal, I'll POLITELY try to explain them in view of all.

Al asked for any kind of help in finding a certain size and make of tire, not whether he could change his wheels and tires. I can't help him directly, but knowing that marketing executives are everywhere, I replied, pointing out that there may be a big enough market here to justify reproduction of these tires. If just one tire executive looks into this and finds the market big enough to justify the cost of molds, new 13-40’s might be in dealers’ catalogs in a year or so. That would help Al and everybody else in his situation, wouldn’t it?

Then “Mongo” replied, saying these tires ARE available from Miller Tire, presumably M.E. Miller Tire. In checking their web catalog, one sees that either Mongo is mistaken or he has some "inside" information. The reason I pointed this out wasn’t to embarrass or correct Mongo, (after all, he may indeed know something I don’t)! Rather, if our “tire executive” reads that this tire IS available, he quickly moves on and an opportunity for our hobby is lost.

As you posted, switching to 38” rubber is possible. It might be what Al eventually chooses to do, but to RESTORE means to “return something to it’s original state.” This is seldom easy, which is exactly why it should be recognized as something much grander than just “fixing something up” (which old car nuts casually call “restification.” (RESTore + modIFICATION)). Hopefully, someone may yet contact Al with the tires he needs. If not, his option to “restify” (rig a workable substitute) is always there, but doesn't that go without saying? In my response to your first posting, I tried to communicate that with a light joke, a wink, and a smile. ;)

Finally, regarding your sarcastic “so glad we can be good friends”: You’d do well to have me as your friend, but if you regularly behave like this, you’d better just focus your energies on keeping whatever friends you may still have.

Peace,
Don

Get the point Mr Don.

No Don I thank you are the one missing the point.
And the motor thing, go for .

To those of you who are suggesting conversion to 38" rubber, you seem to be missing the point of genuine restoration. (I didn't ask Al, but since very few are farming with Oliver 80's anymore, we can probably safely assume restoration is his goal.) Like my friend with the F-30, I imagine Al already thought of changing rear rubber and is trying very hard not to do that.

On the other hand, no one in their right mind would argue against the fact that 38" tires are cheaper and more plentiful. Therefore, perhaps both Al and my friend should switch their rear wheels and tires. I suppose while they're at it they should also pull those clunky old engines and replace them with small block V-8's for the same reasons.

;)

Don

I know a Farmall collector with the same problem; he's been looking for new or good used 13-40's for his F-30 for many years. I've also read that some John Deere tractors used this size tire. I wonder how many cool old tractors are sidelined for want of these tires? Hey tire company execs! Are any of you out there listening?