Tires for Beaver

[PILOON]

Just in the last hour the tire shop called to confirm that Firestone would give me a full credit for my 'new' weather checked tires.
The condition is that I return the old (1 year old/-50 hrs) ones, HOWEVER THEY WILL NOT REPLACE THEM!
Am I to run on rims?
Being a 4X4 options get rather slim.
Anyone have a solution to suggest?
As I told them, I did not spend $909.66 to purchase seconds or defective tires.
In fact I am no further ahead just $900. poorer as the old tires had just about the same thread showing.
The dealer is looking for a solution, like maybe truck tire or backhoe fronts.
I am not a happy camper at this point.
Anybody have any suggestions?

 

[284 International]

I understand there are not many sets of those tires floating around, but if they will credit you back the money your tires cost, you ought to be able to replace them for that price. You've still gotten a year's worth of service out of them. Tell them to call you when the tires come in, have them swap out the tires at that point.

What is the bolt pattern on your rims? Maybe some other machine's wheels will swap over, and you can find tires that are more available.

 

[PILOON]

I understand there are not many sets of those tires floating around, but if they will credit you back the money your tires cost, you ought to be able to replace them for that price. You've still gotten a year's worth of service out of them. Tell them to call you when the tires come in, have them swap out the tires at that point.

What is the bolt pattern on your rims? Maybe some other machine's wheels will swap over, and you can find tires that are more available.

I was told that NO they will not replace but YES a full refund (for tires, not labor) bur I must return the old tires to get the refund.
GREAT, now I have a tractor and no tires to drive on.

The only solution is to have custom rims made up and buy another new set of tires.
BUT, in all probability I'll need to mount new fronts to keep the required ration between front and rear.
The other factor is my main usage is snow removal and that is about to begin any day now.

In summary, to get my $640. credit I'll need to spend(probably) $1000.(or more)

Not a happy camper!

 

[284 International]

It's not the same as having the correct turf tires, but I would consider going with an LT285/70R18 mud terrain tire. The Goodyear MT/R specc'ed to run on 7.5 to 9.5" wide rims, and outside diameter is 35.1 inches. According to Pete's tire store those size (9.5x18) tractor tires are 35.2" in diameter. I'm sure whatever the Firestone equivalent is for these would work fine too.

It would be ideal to get the appropriate tractor tire, but if you're out all the money, and they won't do anything else, this may be a way to at least salvage something. Or put a new set of tires on a car? I'm really sorry you're experiencing this; I hope you get it figured out.

 

[Volvoman]

Please post photos showing the checking issues. You may be better off keeping your tires than returning them and having nothing to replace them with. If you can arrest the checking from going any further, by applying some form of chemical treatment (not exactly sure what's out there for this, but there is likely something available), your tires could last for many more years. In the meantime, keep your eyes peeled for a good used set from another salvaged Beaver.
Vvm

 

[PILOON]

At this time my position tends to attempt for a partial refund and keep my 'new' checking tires.
I see as an option (which I might have done had I known) to foam fill the tires.
Foam would have provided a certain amount of weight, not as much as liquid fill, all while keeping the structural integrity of the tire.
I am sure the foam fill would have cost quite a bit less than the $900 I have spent so far.
Mind you I am sure that I will have at least some 5 years or more before any serious checking occurs as at present the checks are surface, but lots of them (like a 1" band all around the rim area extending outwards in some areas).

As to arresting the checks, I have queried many tire folks and there are no suggestions to rectify that problem. I do believe it is all in the rubber formula at production levels.

Now if this particular tire was 4 or 6 ply I would be much less concerned, however they are only 2 ply.

 

[Volvoman]

Check my post in reply to member "duwem"s inquiry about S373 Beaver III 4X4 tractor. Could be that your 9.5X18 tires can be replaced by Beaver rear turfs in 16" size. Of course, you would need the 16" wheels, too. Beaver had less power, but higher rpm engine, so 16" wheels were probably the best match. Buck had more hp, but lower rpm, so 18" wheels prevented it from having too low of a ground speed. Having 18" on the Beaver III would have bogged it down at lower ground speeds due to too little power.

At one time, I pondered the idea of replacing the 16s on my Beaver III with 18s from a Buck. Doing the math: taking into consideration when Beaver III rpm's reached peak torque and ground speed attained in each gear....when doing the same calculations with the Buck, it confirmed that the gear ratios were the same in both tractors. Lower engine rpm's coupled with larger rear wheels in the Buck were best match for it. Higher engine rpm's coupled with smaller wheels in the Beaver III were best match for it. Putting Beaver III 16 inch wheels on a Buck should put less strain on the engine, but reduce top speed in each gear. Again, just my 2 cents.

Vvm

Vvm

 

[PILOON]

It's not the same as having the correct turf tires, but I would consider going with an LT285/70R18 mud terrain tire. The Goodyear MT/R specc'ed to run on 7.5 to 9.5" wide rims, and outside diameter is 35.1 inches. According to Pete's tire store those size (9.5x18) tractor tires are 35.2" in diameter. I'm sure whatever the Firestone equivalent is for these would work fine too.

It would be ideal to get the appropriate tractor tire, but if you're out all the money, and they won't do anything else, this may be a way to at least salvage something. Or put a new set of tires on a car? I'm really sorry you're experiencing this; I hope you get it figured out.

Using a pair of gyprock T squares clamped together I measure 34" across the treads, i.e. outside diam.
If I recall my fronts measured 22" so I'd need to calculate the ratios keeping in mind that fronts should lead by 5% to compensate for faster wear.
For now I await the tire shop's proposal (s).
By Tuesday I'll do a follow up but so far the shop is being good at communicating with me and I do not wish to 'harass' them.