Tires Newby with 1010 questions

[handirifle]

Hi all, new here, and really new to tractors in general. I just recently picked up a MF 1010, 4wd, with loader and scraper. The tag on the roll bar says year of mfr is '97, so I'll go with that, for now.

My main question is tires. The front tires on it were mixed. One was 6.00x12 and the other a 6-12. I have read there are differences, but it became a moot point because the 6.00 tire had such bad sidewall cracks, it went flat.

The other tire was due as well. Before getting new tires, I looked them up and the only reference I had for tire size was TractorData.com. The weird part was they listed the fronts at 4.5x10.

Seing that really confused me. I needed to get it running so I got two 6ply 6x12's.

First question, are the factory front tires REALLY supposed to be 4.5x10's? If so how bad will this be for the gears?

Next question, is what is the best source for a user/owners manual? The headlights do not operate, and I can trace down the wires, but a manual would help keep me out of the dark on this and other issues as well.

Thanks in advance.

 

[handirifle]

Does anyone have any idea on these tire sizes? I have done a search here and web wide, and keep coming up short. I also sent an email the MF to see if they can answer, but I would like to hear from other MF1010 4x4 owners as to what their tires sizes are.

 

[lambs]

For the 4 wheel drive models:

Ag tires, 5 x 12 R1 front, 8 x 16 R1 rear
Turf tires, 20.5 x 8.00 - 10 G2 front, 29 x 12.00 - 15 G2 rear

Per my original MF owner's manual. You can sometimes find these on eBay, but call the dealer first, you may be surprised to find they can still get one for you. I got my parts manual from them.

The owner's manual does show wiring diagrams. I also bought an I&T shop manual for the detailed stuff; it also includes a wiring diagram. The manuals are not that expensive and I thought they were well worth the investment.

As long as you have the gear drive, I think you got a pretty good unit there. Hydros apparently can be trouble. Good luck.

 

[handirifle]

Lambs
Thanks. I am wondering how much difference in dia there is between the 5-12's and the 6-12's. I ask because being a newby, and doing so before I found this site, I already purchased and installed new 6-12's.

The fronts were shot, one flat and one with no tread to speak of. They were also a mix of 6-12 and 6.00-12. So I guessed and went with the smaller (slightly) 6-12's. At least I went the right direction.

Not familliar with I&T, who are they? Thanks for the info on the manuals, I will be picking some up. I have little doubt the fluids need to be changed, so I will get a manual to get it done.

I think I did OK on the buy, not a steal, but ok. It's got 600+ hrs on the clock, with a MF1014 FEL and a rotating scraper that spins from blad to rippers. No hydro leaks, but the hoses will need replacement as the rubber on the outside of the braided wire is very dry and cracked. Paint is faded caused it lived outside all it's life.

So far it seem the only non-working things are the headlights. It has a little blowby when cold, but I figure I may learn to rebuild a diesel someday, and the little 3 banger would be a good place to start. It seems to be pretty strong, when I compare the real work it does compared to the 22HP Kubota with hydro tranny I had been using.

 

[lambs]

I&T manuals are published by Intertec publishing company in Overland Park, Kansas. They produce repair manuals for tons of tractors. You can google them. The one you'll want is MF-47, covering the 1010 and 1020 gear and hydro drive tractors. It's quasi-mechanic level writing, not a lot of explanation, just step by step instruction on what to do to fix things. You can probably get an official MF shop manual from the dealer too, but it will cost you. I got my owner's manual off eBay, but I think the dealer can get that for you too at a very reasonable cost. You may want to go that route with the loader anyway.

You might want to double check tire sizes with a MF dealer to make sure you're ok. You probably are fine, but on the 4x4 models, the fronts are typically driven slightly faster than the rears to prevent binding on the front drive components. My guess is all you've done is gone to a slightly wider tire. As long as the tire's overall circumference is the same, you should be fine. If it isn't the same result, you might be putting too much stress on the drive system. That would be expensive. Parts for some components on these tractors are hard to come by.

I've found the wiring on the 1010 is pretty easily traced and not very difficult to figure out. I've added a Radio Shack relay to mine to make it crank a lot better.

 

[handirifle]

Lambs
Thanks again for the feedback. I spoke via email with a guy on Ebay that was selling some 5-12's and he says OD of those is about 21". I measured the OD of the 6-12's and it's closer to 23". Might be too large. I wonder if i could recoup some or most of my money (paid $218 mounted for the two of them, Bobcat brand, 6ply) to buy the new 5-12's? He was selling the 5-12's for $120 plus shipping (about $40 to me). I have about 2hrs on the 6-12's.

Not sure if I can mount those. Couldn't break the bead on the old tires, so I doubt it. Not set up to do that, so most likely another $20-30 for that, around here. Money doesn't flow like it used to before I retired.

I'll look into the manual also. I have been in touch with MF, so maybe Monday I'll call and see what I can find out.

 

[lambs]

My advice is check with the dealer before doing anything else that costs money. I went out and looked at my 1010 after our last postings (2wd model). I have 21 x 8 - 10 turf tires on the front. But mine is not a 4x4 model, and all the front tires need to do is steer.

There could be difference in the drive train between different serial numbered tractors, although from looking at my parts book, there's very little difference there, and none that I can see related to gearing.

But I think I'd still let the dealer check it out. Make sure you write down your serial number in case you need it. There seem to be differing front wheels used between different series of tractors.

After a little more checking in the MF parts manual:

For ag tires, the front wheels are different between 2 and 4 wheel drive tractors.

For turf tires, it looks to me as though the same front wheels are used between 2 and 4 wheel drive, but the part numbers for both 2 and 4 - wheel drive tractors changed beginning with serial number 40824 on the 4 x 4.

Of course the reason for the changes probably has nothing at all to do with the tire sizes. I cannot tell from what I see in the book. They may have just sourced a stronger wheel from a different supplier and assigned a new part number.

Final word on this, my opinion only, is don't run the tractor in 4 x 4 mode until you get it resolved to your satisfaction. I don't see how you can damage anything if you do not send power to the front wheels....

 

[lambs]

Just thought of this; you could probably sell the used tires on eBay to recoup some of your investment if it turns out they were the wrong size for your tractor.

 

[blackd]

handirifle, it's been several years since I did the research, but IIRC the difference between front and back tires needs to be within ~3-5%. The will never be exact matches due to wear and inflation.

One rule of thumb: never run your tractor in 4WD on hard surface roads for any distance.

The signal of mis-sized tires will be front lockup. That occurs just before some drive train component breaks. Actually, I've had my tractor slow due to binding without breaking anything.

 

[handirifle]

OK thanks. I have an update for those that know more than me (about 99.9% of you I'm sure) Running it tonight, I happened upon something odd. I know a little about differentials, but not tons.

When working in 4WD (since 2WD just spins the right rear tire most of the time, it's the only way to get work done) I happened to notice that the noise is DEFINATELY gear noise, and it sounds like it's coming from right behind me. Now hear's the odd part. Even in 4LO it only makes the noise when backing (a little) or when making LEFT turns (a LOT). When making right turns, it is perfectly quiet.

Is this something to do with the right turn allowing the left wheel freewheel easier, thus no noise, and when making left turns, the right wheel trying to run faster binds the gears?

If this is the case, it will get parked till I get the correct tire size.

Assuming your 3-5% number is correct, the 6-12's are way too large. They measure about 23" in Dia, and I've read the 5-12's are 21". Doesn't sound like much, but if I'm using the correct formula (PI x Radius squared) there is 17% difference in circumference.

That might be the problem, but would like to hear from someone on the left/right turn issue as well.

By the way, I really do appreciate the feedback. I am becoming more and more educated about tractors every day.