Skid steer Tire question

[62willy]

When I bought my skid steer, it had pavement tires on it. The guy also threw in a set of worn out 12-16.5 rubber filled tires and rims. He said I could cut the rubber off and mount new 10-16.5 tires (the correct size for my SS) on the rims. After cutting one Tire off, the rim looked awful wide for the smaller Tire. Research shows the rims for the 12-16.5 are about 1.5" wider than 10-16.5 rims. Has anyone used the bigger rims with the smaller Tire? Is it doable?

Thanks,

Bill

 

[Rustyiron]

I wouldn't, just use the 12.50's that are for the rims, you'll be fine as long as there is not a clearance problem.
My concern is the tire seating properly on a "too wide" wheel. The sidewalls can be very stiff and with the side loading (skid steering) I think you might have trouble breaking the bead. The other problem is your rim should have a tire sticking out wider than it to protect it from damage. You could bounce off a rock in just right circumstances and bend the wheel with no tire sidewall there to deflect it.

 

[Texasmark]

When I bought my skid steer, it had pavement tires on it. The guy also threw in a set of worn out 12-16.5 rubber filled tires and rims. He said I could cut the rubber off and mount new 10-16.5 tires (the correct size for my SS) on the rims. After cutting one Tire off, the rim looked awful wide for the smaller Tire. Research shows the rims for the 12-16.5 are about 1.5" wider than 10-16.5 rims. Has anyone used the bigger rims with the smaller Tire? Is it doable?

Thanks,

Bill

My 2400 came from the factory with 12x16.5, R4, 6 ply tires. Wheels are 9.5x16.5, 6 bolt. OD of the tire is apparently 33" as the turf for the 16.5 is 33x12.5-16.5. I now have the turfs installed on these wheels and they fit perfectly....sidewall is pretty much directly in line with the wheel width (no bulging or obvious tire too fat look).....which is wider than the mounting dimension as it includes the lips that roll out on both sides.

 

[62willy]

I went ahead and mounted the 10-16.5 tire on the wheel. Way too big of a gap between wheel and sidewall. I have 4 used 12-16.5 tires but I was hoping to get back to 10-16.5's. 3 of the 4 are well worn and the 4th is almost 50% tread left. They are different brands too. Is either of those going to make a difference or cause any damage?

 

[buickanddeere]

I went ahead and mounted the 10-16.5 tire on the wheel. Way too big of a gap between wheel and sidewall. I have 4 used 12-16.5 tires but I was hoping to get back to 10-16.5's. 3 of the 4 are well worn and the 4th is almost 50% tread left. They are different brands too. Is either of those going to make a difference or cause any damage?

Tire failures are a common contributing factor to skid steer crashes, bodily harm and death. Plus it will have more traction with real skid steer tires vs worn out car tires.

 

[62willy]

Tire failures are a common contributing factor to skid steer crashes, bodily harm and death. Plus it will have more traction with real skid steer tires vs worn out car tires.

I'm sorry, I must not have been clear. These are all skid steer tires I'm talking about here. I wouldn't dream of putting car tires on it. I know traction would be better with new tires but that's just not an option right now.

Bill

 

[Rustyiron]

The only (mechanical) damage that could happen is if the tires were not all the same height (rolling diameter), this will put stress on your drive chains if operating on pavement.

 

[62willy]

The only (mechanical) damage that could happen is if the tires were not all the same height (rolling diameter), this will put stress on your drive chains if operating on pavement.

That was my concern. The 1 newer tire has almost 2" in diameter (1" radius which should be all that matters but I don't know) on the other 3. If I had 2 newer (or new) and 2 used, would it be ok to put 2 of roughly same size on one side vs front or back?

 

[62willy]

A set of new tires is in my future, but I have to get some ROI before I can spend more.

 

[Rustyiron]

Do your best to match them on each SIDE. The drive chain connects the front & back wheel on each side to that side drive motor (2 chains)
Stay in the dirt, you'll be ok.

 

[62willy]

Ok, thanks. I will only be in the dirt (that's the issue now, the tires on it are so bald it almost won't move in the sand/dirt, they just spin).

 

[DavesTractor]

I'd recommend checking with local dealers that sell new and used skid steers.

Dealers will often have a set of tires that they took off a used machine that was traded in, and replaced with new. We dealers will do that as new tires on a skid steer help them sell, even though a 3/4 worn out set will work fine for a while. Those used tires always seem a little too good to toss, so they go on a pallet and sit.

I recently sold a set of 4 12x16.5 skid steer tires that were 70% worn out (30% remaining tread) for $50. I put them on CL for $100, got no takers and lowered the price to $50. The guy that bought them was thrilled as he just needed a season of usage. I was happy to get something and get them out of the tire bone pile. I bet I have 4 10x16.5 out back, but tires cost a lot to ship so if you find some cheap used tires it needs to be local.

 

[62willy]

Thanks. I do check Craigslist occasionally. I actually have picked up some tires that will work for me in both the 10x16.5 size and the 12x16.5 size. The rims I have are for 12x16.5, but when I put a 12x16.5 tire on there is about a 3" gap between the tire and the rim. I haven't been able to get it to bead up. My son wants me to use the lighter fluid method, but I'm not willing to. At least not yet.

 

[DavesTractor]

Thanks. I do check Craigslist occasionally. I actually have picked up some tires that will work for me in both the 10x16.5 size and the 12x16.5 size. The rims I have are for 12x16.5, but when I put a 12x16.5 tire on there is about a 3" gap between the tire and the rim. I haven't been able to get it to bead up. My son wants me to use the lighter fluid method, but I'm not willing to. At least not yet.

There are potential issues with the lighter fluid method, although I have seen it work just fine. We do not allow it in our shop.

Take them to a shop that has an air blaster. You have probably seen them. It is a pressurized tank with a ball valve and a snout for the air to go out of. Set that to blow air into the tire, dump the valve and bingo, tire is on the bead. Keep in mind that the air tank wants to shoot backwards, so hold on tight. And wear ear plugs.

I have heard of another method that I have not tried. Grease up the beads a little, then place a bicycle tube of the correct size between the tire and rim. Inflate it to take up the gap, then inflate the tire. Seems a lot could go wrong with a pinch, but the idea seems feasible. At your own risk, I have not tried this.

 

[ericm979]

These tires might be too stiff for this trick but sometimes putting a ratchet strap around the center of the tread and cranking it down can get the sidewalls to spread out a bit.

 

[62willy]

These tires might be too stiff for this trick but sometimes putting a ratchet strap around the center of the tread and cranking it down can get the sidewalls to spread out a bit.

Yeah, I've done that trick with jeep tires and other big tires but these are too stiff and too wide a gap.