New Firestone radials on M7040.

[Farmer495]

Any concerns about overtaxing the transmission by making the load on the tractor increase so much? Aren't the tires slipping the ultimate "clutch" in protecting you transmission from overload damage or premature wear?

You'll generally still spin out before that happens.

 

[sixdogs]

Any concerns about overtaxing the transmission by making the load on the tractor increase so much? Aren't the tires slipping the ultimate "clutch" in protecting you transmission from overload damage or premature wear?

I don't think it's that kind of an overload. More like when you start to slip with regular tires, you just don't slip with radials. Maybe if you took it to the max of adding thousands of pounds of extra weight it would but you could do that with plain old loaded bias tires as well. I think loaded tires presents a real load issue because the weight and traction is there 24/7 and not just when you need it.

It's just the added pulling power when need it and also the floatation ability of the tractor. You just float over soft spots, which is a huge help if it's soft, wet or fragile like grass, but dig in under unfavorable conditions. That's the best I can describe it and no, I don't think I've ever overloaded things. It's more like bias tires slip before they should.

Maybe better to compare the same bias to radial comparison on car tires. The bias tires of years ago were really poor at handling, cornering, stopping and higher speed travel. Plus they slid when it was raining or even just wet. Modern radials are none of that and stick like glue. No overload there but the same factors come into play.

Maybe others can add more but I don't think there's a lot of radials on smaller tractors. My 90HP Deere has had them for 10 to 15 years and the same tractor without them is frustrating to use.


EDIT--Farmer495--I was typing my response and posted it before I saw yours.