speaking of tires.

Anonymous-0 · Nov 20, 2008

Didn't want to Hijack the other post about tread..
My rear tractor tires are well over 10-15 years old and have about 50% tread. Are they ready to go regardless of the amount of tread?
Would new tires grip and hold better (be more flexible)? Wet grass seems to be rough on the ones I have.

Dave

Ford 312 · Nov 20, 2008

We purchased an 8N in the fall of 1969 and replaced the tires somewhere around 35 years ago. They are still holding air and have decent traction. The tractor has always been shedded, which makes a lot of difference on tire life.

Janicholson · Nov 20, 2008

Traction should be judged on slippage and need. Sipes are micro slices in the body of the tread material that can substantially improve wet grass (and road) traction. The rubber in tires hardens as it ages and is oxidized in air/Ozone.
It also shrinks in this process making it brittle and prone to cracks. If the cracks get to the cord material, there will be decomposition of that as well. If your tires are pulling adequately in most uses, I would run them (unless you are wealthy enough to not care).
JimN

Anonymous-0 · Nov 20, 2008

(quoted from post at 12:46:27 11/20/08) (unless you are wealthy enough to not care).
JimN

2 years ago, the tires (that were on it when I bought it 2 years before that) were about slick. I broke down and was going to put 2 new ones on it. Just so happened I had just bought a water trailer that had a bad tire and was going through the trash tires at the local dealer, ended up with a matching set of tires for the trailer and a matching set for my tractor with over 50% meat for the cost of mounting. If new ones aren't going to be a drastic improvement, I'll continue "shopping" the junk pile as needed.

Thanks,

Dave

kyhayman · Nov 20, 2008

I'd run them as long as they last, as in when you cant find anyone willing to fix one or the sidewall goes. At 50 percent tread, I've bought a lot of tires with less than that on them, and older than that too to put into regular service.

Anonymous-0 · Nov 20, 2008

I keep my tires until strucural failure. If it was my sole means livleyhood I suppose I might be a little less willing to do so. My dad was a young man in the great depression and we didn't get rid of much until it was totally worn out.

BobHnwOh · Nov 20, 2008

I bought 2 18.4X38 Firestone Raials with 70% tread last year at a Firestone dealer,got tires and 2 new radial tubes for $488,sold my old duals to a tractor puller for $300!

bruster · Nov 20, 2008

Like everyone said, ozone damage is the biggest problem of older tires. If the sidewalls and areas between the treads are not cracked up and stiff as a board, then use them. Dads 46 JD A has its original tires with 1.5" left for tread, and I installed tires 35 years old with better than 50%, bought at auction for $5.00 each

Anonymous-0 · Nov 20, 2008

Guess I can afford to wait a week or two then :roll: .

Thanks folks,

Dave

Don-Wi · Nov 20, 2008

We run 'em till they puke. We just put new tires on our 1855 this summer (18.4x38) after one tire got a crack through the side wall. The old ones are severely weather checked and down to less than 50% tread.

We just had them mounted on the dual rims we have for that tractor, as the tires on the duals were down to maybe 5% tread. All they did was add flotation, and not much else.

Donovan from Wisconsin

Anonymous-0 · Nov 21, 2008

Yes most new tires will give you better grip. You did not say how you used them or what brand you have on the tractor now. What size tractor would help. Some of the overseas made tires will not give better grip, personal experience. Usually the more bars on the tire the better traction you will get. I have 4 tractors at home now. 1 has old BFG's they are ok 1 had mexican made 45 degree bars, they are ok. 1 has over seas made, look like firestone field and roads. They are not ok. 1 has Firestone Traction Traction Field and Roads, They are the best.

speaking of tires.

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

Ford 312

Member

Janicholson

Well-known Member

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

kyhayman

Well-known Member

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

BobHnwOh

Member

bruster

Member

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

Don-Wi

Well-known Member

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

Similar threads