Re: radial vs. normal tires?

Posted by MF Poor on March 05, 2011 at 05:22:43 from (72.4.0.230):

In Reply to: radial vs. normal tires? posted by dave2 on March 04, 2011 at 13:28:48:

Are you currently pushing the available traction to it's absolute limits? (ie do you really see the need to "buy" more traction?)

Is the percentage of increased traction available from a more expensive tire worth the dollars? With a 300hp tillage tractor, you'll see an immense difference. With a 25hp 2wd antique, the increase will be marginal at best.

Do you use the tractor in a manner that puts tires in risk of damage? (ie bush hogging in rough terrain, logging, ect) Is it worth the additional cost for a radial, given the possibility of trashing a tire way before it's worn out?

Can you find radials in the size you want, and at a reasonable price? What's the story on bias ply availability/price as a comparison?

Check your current rim width. Radials can be more sensitive to rim width than bias ply tires. Too wide or too narrow, and the tire will run on the very center of the tread (only) when inflated to a PROPER PSI. It's common to run radials at a lower PSI than bias ply tires as it is. Should you need to decrease pressure further to get a good tire to ground "contact patch", you may be WAY below a good working pressure, resulting in a "squirmy" ride.

11.2X28, 12.4X28, and 13.6X28 are different overall diameters. Larger tires will effect overall gearing. N series Fords (as an example) tend to be geared a little fast for SOME work as it is, and they don't offer a great deal of gear choices. You don't want to change gearing too much, or you run the risk of having a tractor that isn't well suited for slow PTO work as a for instance. Also, larger diameter tires will put the tire closer to the extreme ends of the 3-point hitch arms, possibly causing clearance issues with mounted implements. I've seen just that same issue on a couple tractors here recently. (14.9X28's on a tractor that was intended to have 12.4X28's....caused a bush hog to grab a tire lug and rip the tire to shreds when hitch was raised)

Most tire manufacturer's websites will show tire dimensions for various sizes. IMHO, I'd stay fairly close to OEM size. Bigger tires LOOK cool, and in some cases help with traction, but can be detrimental if/when there's a radical difference in size.

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