Tires - Replace?

[Gem99ultra]

If you feel unsafe with those tires, replace them. However, the outer skin on the tire is not the strength of the tires. Ordinary car tires will often show cracks like those after as little as 5 or 6 years. That doesn't call for replacing them, although people sell tires say tires should be replaced every 7 years.

It's my opinion that exposure to the sun in the past has caused the skin cracking. My tractor, 10 years old, has never sat outside, and the tires show no cracking of the outer skin whatsoever. Tires on my pickup truck, which sits outside every day all day, are showing cracks after only 5 years. Those however, will NOT be replaced for that reason alone.

If you do decide to replace your tires, and the tractor must side out in the sun, I'd recommend coating them with 303 Protectant, which is a UV ray blocker.

 

[ruffdog]

This would be the best time to try the new R14 tires and report back how they work for you!

 

[B2150hsd]

These are inside of tire pics.

I will deflate the "air" on one tire completely and see what happens. On level ground of course Also, this test assumes that the leak is somewhat slow and not a major rupture that causes all the liquid ballast to exit in a short time. To cut the steeper sloped area takes about 1 1/2 - 2 hours. The other areas are only 10-15% and not of a concern. Good level spots are never more then 30 seconds away. Unlike the steep area where their is no quick exit or landing spot.

Buying only one new tire would reduce any possible risk by 50%. Not great odds but better then a casino. :dance1:

Apologies if this is getting a bit lame. Did not expect this much input and expected simple, one word, answers. Can not make a clear decision myself. Money is a factor. If the rear tires were only $75 like the fronts, the rears would have been installed yesterday.

 

[PILOON]

I's sure like to replace mine.

Actually I did, but the new pair developed so many 'weather checks' after 5 months of winter that they scare me.
And then they looked just as bad as the ones I had just replaced.
They said 'no problem' but we need to have the old ones to issue a credit, but could not find a pair in all of Canada or the US.
(I did after a month succeed in getting a 50% refund on the tire price but that only represented 1/3 of my out of pocket coasts*)

Problem NOBODY makes 9.5 X 18 R 3's so I'm stuck with an excellent tractor with new horribly checked tires.

OK, if I accept to go 2 WD I have options but I need 4 x 4 due to many hills and mainly snow duties.
Chains do help but still need 4WD at times.

I'd go truck tires but again a size rarity.
Per charts: 295/70 R18 or 285/75 R 18 would be a good fit to match up my fronts and maintain that + 5% rolling ratio.

Oh, must add that the R3's are only 2 ply which is scary with all those 'weather checks'.
While foaming should be a reasonable option I so far have not been able to get any so called providers that advertise to return a call much less give me a quote.

*costs being tires, tubes and juice + labor (excluding my time and transport to/from).

 

[fruitcakesa]

This is 14 years and 3240 hours worth of cracking. They were filled at 2400.
No leaks when I sold the tractor.