New tires, change size???

[Mtsoxfan]

I have a NH TC29D, hydro, and tires are in need of replacement. (just put a tube in one to tide me over) Size now on rears is 15x19.5 R4's.
My question is, is there any reason I should change the tire size? I cut lawn, do loader work, drag trees etc. I have no issue with what I have on now, but am not versed in the way of tires on tractor. Will going up a size (using original rims) or any other change make a difference? I imagine the tires were a happy medium for most uses. I could be wrong. What should I consider?

 

[Hay Dude]

If it ain't broke, don’t fix it.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

If it ain't broke, don’t fix it.

That's one way to look at it. I just would like to make sure I'm not missing an opportunity before I drop $1200 or so.

 

[Wolfy]

The R4 is the compromise tire, which is perfect for the uses you described. Going up a size is asking for trouble. There is a reason manufactures chose the size they chose.

 

[Hay Dude]

That's one way to look at it. I just would like to make sure I'm not missing an opportunity before I drop $1200 or so.

I’d only change from R4 to R1 if you aren’t getting enough traction. never change sizes without consulting your dealer. You’ll break your 4wd system.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

thanks... traction was never an issue. don't want to destoy grass either
if i changed thefront tires so whatever ratio they used, would that balance the 4wd issue?
trucks change tire size all the time with no issue

 

[Hay Dude]

thanks... traction was never an issue. don't want to destoy grass either
if i changed thefront tires so whatever ratio they used, would that balance the 4wd issue?
trucks change tire size all the time with no issue

4wd trucks have 4 tires same size. Tractors don’t. Most tractors have a smaller front tire.
So if front or rear must be changed, the other set must be too, to maintain the same ratio.

 

[90cummins]

I changed the front tire size (turf tire) on my 1720 Ford after the fronts failed due to dry rot.
From day one I noticed the front tires pulling harder than the rears when in 4wd. The fronts were too tall resulting in the front tires always kicking snow/dirt towards the rear.
When using 4wd I had to be very diligent and disengage it immediately before driving on blacktop or the drivetrain would bind up within 4 to 5 feet.
Prior to purchasing new tires I measured the rolling distance of the front tires to 1 revolution of the rear tires. I then used the tire comparison charts on tire ware house to find an automotive radial snow tire that was closest to my calculations. I purchased 2 new tires then drove the tractor on pavement and then adjusted the front/rear tire pressures until I could drive straight down a blacktop road and engage/disengage 4wd without binding.
Ford engineering could have done a much better job when sizing the turf tires. The agg tires I had worked fine with no binding using the recommended tire pressures.
Moral of this story is know what you are doing before changing the size of tires on a 4wd tractor.
90cummins

 

[Wolfy]

Im really struggling to understand why you want bigger tires when the stock ( worn out tires you said ) have plenty of traction. Maybe you need a bigger tractor which by design will have correspondingly bigger tires.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

Some of you are reading way too much into this, I didn't say I wanted to change, I was wondering if there was any advantage to changing the tire size. I'm trying to consider all options now, BEFORE I drop $1200 on 2 new tires. Woulda, coulda, shoulda...

 

[WVH1977]

I would stick with OEM recommendation. Same with trucks. You can lift them and put bigger tires but it will put more strain/wear and tear on the vehicle over time. I am a fan of keeping things stock but that is just my opinion.

That $1200 could turn into more dollars if you do something other than OEM specs on the tractor.

 

[oldnslo]

Larger diameter tire will provide a little smoother ride and will typically roll a little easier since they do not fall into holes as deep. Like others have stated if front wheel assist you must match the tire ratio. If just two wheel drive should be no problem going up a size if they clear the fenders.

 

[Hay Dude]

Some of you are reading way too much into this, I didn't say I wanted to change, I was wondering if there was any advantage to changing the tire size. I'm trying to consider all options now, BEFORE I drop $1200 on 2 new tires. Woulda, coulda, shoulda...

I understand completely what you mean. I switched tire sizes (width) on a Kubota I have. Went from 480’s to 520’s to gain some width. Just had to make sure I went to the proper aspect ratio on the front and rear tires.
It was easy for me since it was an already offered optional tire package for my tractors.
Some tractors will offer an optional flotation size to reduce your ground compaction/increase flotation.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

I'll have to investigate that angle, thanks.

 

[big bubba]

if you're tractor is 4wd, listen to HayDude, the same ratio must be kept otherwise wouldn't take long for trans/ft axle problems. imho not worth thinking about. best regards

 

[Mtsoxfan]

if you're tractor is 4wd, listen to HayDude, the same ratio must be kept otherwise wouldn't take long for trans/ft axle problems. imho not worth thinking about. best regards

I'm sure i've already discussed that, thanks for beating that horse though...

 

[big bubba]

sounds like you've got it figured, & best in finding the size you're looking for, regards

 

[BoylermanCT]

We have turf tires on our TC29D. They are much wider than R4's and do much less damage to soft ground than R4
's do. They are also better with the NH Super Steer. I would think SS would really dig up turf with R4's.

 

[Texasmark]

I have a NH TC29D, hydro, and tires are in need of replacement. (just put a tube in one to tide me over) Size now on rears is 15x19.5 R4's.
My question is, is there any reason I should change the tire size? I cut lawn, do loader work, drag trees etc. I have no issue with what I have on now, but am not versed in the way of tires on tractor. Will going up a size (using original rims) or any other change make a difference? I imagine the tires were a happy medium for most uses. I could be wrong. What should I consider?

R1s are narrower and have softer sidewalls, better ride for a given pressure and for a given ply rating, and as a result tear up turf more. R1s are made for plowing primarily and suffer more tread wear on hard surfaces....roads.

R4s with a 4wd machine seem to do pretty well in general purpose usage including light plowing, but are usually stiff sidewalled and ride rougher even at low pressures.

I have a set of 4 ply turfs for a 25 hp tractor that will support the weight of the tractor with NO air in the tires....so R3 turfs aren't necessarily softer riding.

You need to keep the gear ratio/RPM match on 4wd vehicles so you need to be careful changing type or size of your tires. As another said, don't fix it it it ain't broke!

 

[logcabin]

Some of you are reading way too much into this, I didn't say I wanted to change, I was wondering if there was any advantage to changing the tire size. I'm trying to consider all options now, BEFORE I drop $1200 on 2 new tires. Woulda, coulda, shoulda...

Hi, I am changing rear tires soon, and was wondering about the fronts. You mentioned you changed fronts due to dry rot. You also mentioned turf tire. I am confused on if you changed the front tire size, I think you did, you said they were too tall. I am going from 13.6 x28 to 16.9 x 24 {rears} I am now thinking I need to also change the front to a smaller rim/ tire. Any info will be very much appreciated.

T Y
Dave, also in Vermont