Steel tires

pfoxy · Jan 30, 2002

I think you are making an erroneous assumption when you say steel "tires" (more properly called wheels) are inherently heavier than rubber. I doubt that's the case, tho I don't have statistics to prove it.

The spinejarring ride and the lack of traction will more than offset any increase in weight. Finding wheels to fit your hubs/axles and clear your fenders will be a major PITA too.

JMHO, but I think your money would be better spent "flat-proofing" the tires you have.

ric · Jan 31, 2002

pfoxy, I switched the steel tires and rims for like rims and rubbers tires on the Ford V8 I described above. The steel rim and tire wheels were heavier than the rubber tire and rim wheels front and rear leading me to think for the limited use if I could make this switch I'd have the added reliability of steel tires and the benefit of the added weight. The rubber tires I put on the Ford were not filled with anything, and I'd agree, filled they would be much heavier. Weight is not my goal, eliminating flats and tire damage is. I agree that flatproofing is the best thing for now which is why all my tractor tires are already flat proofed. ric

pfoxy · Feb 1, 2002

Well. Guess I was wrong then, eh? First time that's ever happened....not. ":^)

Have you tried it out yet? If so, how'd it work for ya?

ric · Feb 1, 2002

pfoxy, Still looking for some steel wheels. It is possible I have some spotted already in a wrecking yard in southern ohio. The alternative I am considering to steel wheels is buying some used wheels and tires like the R1's I have on the tractor and fill them with foam and use them for rough service instead of my newer tires currently on the tractor. As I think you mentioned there will be some cost and hassle to either set up so I'll need to work on the best result with the least cost. I have been renting a bobcat from time to time to do this work in the past in small sections which has produced some significant results. Almost wish I owned a bobcat instead of a tractor. ric

Bob_Trevithick · Feb 1, 2002

Yike... is that wheel on the side a flywheel? I wonder how many people got their leg or arm tangled up in that thing?? /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif

MJB · Feb 1, 2002

That is the flywheel. On the old JDs you actually started the tractor by turning the flywheel by hand. It sounds and looks dangerous but probably isn't any worse that starting one using a crank.

bgott · Feb 2, 2002

It's safer, you don't have to worry about the flywheel flipping around and breaking your arm.

jinman · Feb 2, 2002

Ric, here is a photo of a Ford 2N which came with steel wheels front and rear and also a magneto ignition. There was a war shortage of rubber and copper and this tractor was the result of having none of those rare commodities for production. The photo and facts are courtesy of "Ford Tractors" by Robert Pripps and Andrew Morland, Motorbooks International - 1992, ISBN 0-87938-471-9, $19.95 US.

As Halsey Green stated, there are a few of these around since over 16,000 of these tractors were produced in 1942. Normal yearly production was over 40,000.

looch · Feb 4, 2002

I seem to remember my dad telling me about the starting system on my grandfather's tractor (in Italy). You screwed a charge into one of the cylinder heads and wacked it with a sledge hammer. The explosion would turn the engine over. If you missed your first shot, you'd have to unscrew it and use another. Anyone ever hear of this? I know this has no relevence to the subject of this thread, and I apologize. It sparked a memory since this tractor also had steel wheels.

RoyJackson · Feb 4, 2002

I seem to remember my dad telling me about the starting system on my grandfather's tractor (in Italy). You screwed a charge into one of the cylinder heads and wacked it with a sledge hammer. The explosion would turn the engine over. If you missed your first shot, you'd have to unscrew it and use another. Anyone ever hear of this? I know this has no relevence to the subject of this thread, and I apologize. It sparked a memory since this tractor also had steel wheels.

I've never seen it on a tractor, but some big trucks used a setup like that. Also, when I was in the Navy, we'd see some of the old reciprocating (radial) engined (late WW II and Korea War vintage) aircraft using an explosive charge to turn the engines.