Question from newbie about tire replacement

[oralabora62]

Hello. I know very little about tractors and am looking for some information so I thought this would be a good place to find an answer to what is likely a very basic question.

I recently bought an older Ford tractor to plow my drive during Michigan winters because I got tired of paying my landscaper company. The tractor itself starts great and runs fine, but the tires need replacement, especially the rear tires. I got new front tires without a problem. But the rear tires are size 22X8-12 which apparently is a rare size and not made much anymore or if they are they at the very least seem hard to find since a lot of websites that offer tractor tires don't carry them.

So how far can I adjust my tire size and have it be functional and not damage anything? I have seen sites that suggest you can run a rim size one up or one down. But the common size that is close is 22X8-10. I have also found a site offering 23X8-12. Will this work? (I would like to obtain new tires with assembled rims, if possible. Can I switch out the 22X8-12 and just replace with an assembled 22X8-10?

Any suggestion would be appreciated.

 

[bpattie]

what I think you are going to hear from those that know more than I is whether or not your tractor is 4WD. I have read some posts that indicate the need to maintain a relationship in size/rotation between the fronts and the rears, but as I recall that is only important in 4WD. At some point you will likely need new tires, but if they hold air have you thought of just adding chains to the rear for now?

 

[oralabora62]

They don't hold air. That was the little thing that wasn't disclosed in the purchase, unfortunately. The tractor came at a great price for how it runs, but the tires are shot.

I don't believe this is a 4WD tractor, at least nothing on the tractor indicates it is. Is there a way to determine this?

 

[bpattie]

you should be able to see it clearly if your front axel has gears. A 2WD will have a straight across axel in the front. 4WD will have a differential of sorts and a driveline going to it from the transmission. also you would likely have a shift mechanism of some sort where you sit, not sure there may be some tractors that are All wheel drive all the time. but the front axel should be obvious. in regards to the tires not holding air you likely will need new tires, but if they are tubed tires you may be able to get by with replacing the tubes.

 

[ampa]

I had the same problem with my grey market 4X4 ISEKI tractor... all the tires on mine were badly weather checked and rotten..I also had no problem replacing the front with new ATV type tires.....but the rear were a big problem....bein liquid filled they were so rotten they both blew apart one day in the same week.....yes before this happend I was seriously considering putting in tubes as new tires were around $400.00 each....I managed to pick up some used heavy duty type truck tires at $70 for both installed on my freshly painted rims....yes if your rear tires are liquid filled you will need to sandblast them inside and out and paint them with a rust type paint as I had to do ... perhaps you could go this route... all 4 tires now hold air with no problems....just my 2 cents.....Ampa