Tires: Tread Direction

[LouieJunior]

My front tires are 10-16.5 Skid Steer type tires with a tread like the one shown below.
Does it matter which direction the tread goes? If so, can the whole wheel be reversed?
Right now the front treads are going two different directions.

Looks like after getting one tire repaired, I now have two right front tires!

 

[rekees4300]

For best traction, the tread should be pointed in the direction of travel (looking at the top of the tire).

 

[CliffordK]

I didn't realize there was such a difference, but at least it is supposed to be easier on the tire, and perhaps also clean out the treads better when mounted in the standard direction.

You may be able to reverse some rims depending on the type, but I think they often change the width (for width adjustment).

When convenient, take it back to your tire shop and have them reverse the treads. They may grumble a bit, but they should mark the tires so they get them remounted in the same way they came off (unless otherwise specified).

 

[crazyal]

I agree, take it back when it's convenient, but don't wait too long, and have them reverse it. The tires are designed to push mud to the side and dig down to solid ground. In reverse they will pull the mud in from the sides and push it behind the tire so the rear tire now has to dig through the same mud.

 

[mikehaugen]

I have heard that it depends on if it is 4x4 or or not. For 2 wheel drive, some run the front tires backwards, so I am told anyway. I think it is supposed to wear better.

 

[TedLaRue]

Normally you should orient the tread to be in the normal direction (see rekees4300's post above). However....

A quote from my JD owner's manual: "If tractor is mainly used for loader operations, lug direction may be reversed. Tire life may be increased by up to 30% and front traction is improved in reverse." That's for the front wheels only, and where the tractor is used mainly for front end loader operations. I have no idea why that tidbit of information stuck in my mind for 20 years, but I just looked it up again, and that's where I got that quote.

 

[RaydaKub]

Every once in a while I see a combine with 4x4 on it and the rear wheels (ag tires) are reversed. I figured it was to assist with getting the machine unstuck. I wonder if it was done for wear.

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[RDrancher]

Normally you should orient the tread to be in the normal direction (see rekees4300's post above). However....

A quote from my JD owner's manual: "If tractor is mainly used for loader operations, lug direction may be reversed. Tire life may be increased by up to 30% and front traction is improved in reverse." That's for the front wheels only, and where the tractor is used mainly for front end loader operations. I have no idea why that tidbit of information stuck in my mind for 20 years, but I just looked it up again, and that's where I got that quote.

That may have been true 20 years ago (or maybe they thought it was true ), but I got over 2000 hrs on my front tires facing the correct direction with a lot of loader work and I doubt they could of taken much more abuse. Titan's wimpy sidewalls got "squishy" long before that. In the old days front tires were mainly 6-8 ply, now they're usually 4-6 on CUT's. I replaced mine with 10 ply SS tires...BIG difference. No more squat and better sidehill control.

 

[Xfaxman]

My front tires are 10-16.5 Skid Steer type tires with a tread like the one shown below.
Does it matter which direction the tread goes? If so, can the whole wheel be reversed?
Right now the front treads are going two different directions.

Looks like after getting one tire repaired, I now have two right front tires!

I swapped the front tires side to side, reversing the tread, on this V518 when I was removing silt from my pond.
It gave me more traction backing up, I could really tell the difference. :thumbsup:

 

[94BULLITT]

Every once in a while I see a combine with 4x4 on it and the rear wheels (ag tires) are reversed. I figured it was to assist with getting the machine unstuck. I wonder if it was done for wear.

Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

The tires on the 4240 are marked traction or drive in one direction and rolling in the other.

 

[roush9799]

Another reason people run them backwards with loaders is to give it some extra traction when backing up in an uphill situation.

 

[LD1]

Get one of the switched.

We can argue all day about forward or reverse direction. Theres pro's and con's to both. So what you decide is your personal choice.

But having one forward and one reversed does no good at all. Get them going the same direction, doesnt matter what way though.

 

[ovrszd]

With R4 tires I can't see that it would make a LOT of difference. They don't work well in mud anyway. But as LD1 said having them opposite does no good. My OCD side comes out in situations like this. Would drive me crazy just looking at it. I'd hafta dismount and change one of them for sure.