Tire inflation question

[Baldrick1963]

Hi all.

I've just put on new front tires and was wondering what pressure I should run them at.

They're 16x6.5x8. The original tires had a max of 14 psi. The new Carlisle Turf Masters have a max of 28 psi, but with such a light tractor I'm afraid the center will wear too fast.

Right now, I'm running them at 20 psi, but was wondering where I should really be.

Thanks.

 

[George2615]

I run all my tires at the recommended pressure listed on the tire sidewall. That's why it's there.

 

[Soundguy]

pressurize them until the profile looks correct. IE.. good tire patch to ground contact, and just a lil squatt.. don't exceede max pressure listed on the sidewall.


soundguy

 

[leonz]

Hi all.

I've just put on new front tires and was wondering what pressure I should run them at.

They're 16x6.5x8. The original tires had a max of 14 psi. The new Carlisle Turf Masters have a max of 28 psi, but with such a light tractor I'm afraid the center will wear too fast.

Right now, I'm running them at 20 psi, but was wondering where I should really be.

Thanks.

About your tires,

The recommended tire pressure for the machine is what you should be operating at all times as too high a pressure will create a bounce in the front axle and you can break the front axle over time because of this.

 

[RalphVa]

Think mine says 20-22 psi. I run the fronts at about 27, to have some cushion. Before I put tubes in them, I had the left front come off the rim a couple of times. Don't want this to happen with tubes.

Ralph

 

[RoyJackson]

Just remember, the sidewall number is Maximum pressure, not operating pressure.
You'll get more traction if you run the pressures low enough to get traction (that nice patch Soundguy recommends), but not too low to roll 'em off the rims.

For Baldrick1963, I suggest 18-20 PSI and see how they do for most work. You might need to up the pressure when you're using the FEL.

 

[MMH]

Hi all.
I've just put on new front tires and was wondering what pressure I should run them at.

They're 16x6.5x8. The original tires had a max of 14 psi. The new Carlisle Turf Masters have a max of 28 psi, but with such a light tractor I'm afraid the center will wear too fast.

Right now, I'm running them at 20 psi, but was wondering where I should really be.

Thanks.

Depends on what kind of load you are putting on the tires. If you need the full load capacity, run the maximum pressure as listed on the sidewall. My B9200 has 6-12 R-1 (AG) tire with a 4 ply tire. The maximum load (as listed on the sidewall) is 600 lbs. @ 28 PSI. With an empty bucket, there already is 500 lbs. on each front tire (1700 lbs. tractor & 350 lbs. FEL). Putting even 200 lbs. in the bucket puts 600 lbs. on the front tire, their maximum load. Thus, I tend to run my fronts at maximum pressure.

 

[MoreCowbell]

Depends on what kind of load you are putting on the tires. If you need the full load capacity, run the maximum pressure as listed on the sidewall. ...

I agree. In a perfect world we'd all have a device to measure how much weight is being imparted to the tread center as opposed to the tread edges - and you could adjust your pressure accordingly to distribute the weight evenly. Since none of us have something like that, using the max pressure indicated on the sidewall is probably the best way to go when running at full load.

I have an interest in this topic as well - not because of tire wear, but to minimize uneven soil compaction when I mow.

Back in my hotrodding days we used to measure rubber temperature at the inner, outer and center tread immediately after running the car to get an idea of how the weight was being distributed, but that would not work here since tractor tires do not generate that kind of heat.

 

[Reg]

I run all my tires at the recommended pressure listed on the tire sidewall. That's why it's there.

No, that is NOT why it is there.
THAT is the pressure for the maximum rated load when cold.
If you are running at the maximum rated load your application is probably marginal.
If you are running at max pressure while not at maximum load you are almost certainly getting more tire slip than optimal, perhaps even tire hop when under load, & BTW wearing out the center strip more than you need to.

What you NEED is a set of load/pressure tables and a good understanding of what the loads actually ARE on your tires.

 

[beenthere]

Hey guys, the OP hasn't been back since his first post, and he has a Cub Cadet 2165 garden tractor.
I'd suspect air pressure in his front tires isn't a real big issue, but has been some good info batted around for other applications. Not sure I'd worry about breaking a front axle if aired up to the max pressure.