Tires Value of rice tires and rims-plan a change to turf

jdmar · Jan 18, 2004

I am looking into have new rear rims made for my 1500 and mounting wide turf tires. I know Firestone makes a 9.5x22 but they are about $200/per and not that wide. I am still getting some estimates, but it appears as though Hey Wheel can make the rims for about $110 each and I can get wider tires (about 13-15" Titans) for about $125-145 each. The cost would be a bit more but I think there may be an advantage or two(?your thoughts?). First-wider tractor stance and in theory a bit stabler/safer. Second -less turf damage since I only use this tractor for lawn maintenance and don't need "rice traction!" Third-I may have a more valuable item to sell (rims with tires). If any of you have suggestions or an estimate of the value of good rims or tires please let me know. Also, though Hey Wheel seem like good knowledgeable people, if anyone knows a wheel manufacture in Ohio (I am in NE Ohio) I may save some shipping cost--saving $$ is always good! Thanks again for the great advice I always get!

Peter
God Bless America

YanmarFever · Jan 18, 2004

why dont you try Hoye tractor in Texas
They sell turfs with free shipping!! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
ask for Aaron
Ernie

BrettW · Jan 21, 2004

Peter,
Let me know what you do and where you get your tires. I'm still looking for 9.5.22 turfs for the rear wheels of my Yanny. thanks, brettw

jdmar · Jan 21, 2004

You can get the 9.5 x 22 from Firestone (brand that is) only. I am sure they are great tires and will last a long time...I just would prefer wider. Hoye Tractor are good people (from my limited experience) and will ship the tire to you free for about $198.00 a piece. If I go that route I will buy from Hoye rather than local in this case so I can help keep the people serving our tractors in business. I will keep you up to date when I find my total cost for wider rims and tires..keep an eye on this string. I am expecting about $265-275 a piece. More $ than the 9.5 x 22 but I also get new rims, easier future compatability, don't have to clean/sand/paint my current rims first, and greater tractor safety (theoretically!). I just have to get the total price and then run it through the "boss!" /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
Hey, maybe if we both buy a set we can get a deal on the four!!...just an idea.

Peter

BrettW · Jan 23, 2004

Peter, have you checked out the rolling circumference of the new tires vs. old ones, bw

jdmar · Jan 23, 2004

The rolling circumference is usually available on the company's website. I know it is there for Firestone and Titan at least. For me it is not too important since I have two wheel drive. When I got my tractor I wanted the two wheel drive for that reason and to avoid the costly problem that can plague these small Yanmars-the front drive mechanism/axle.
I am still waiting for call backs about the price of the new tires. I have also found some new tires and rims for sale cheap (about $200 for a pair of tires and rims). But the diameter is about 40-41" so I would have to raise the fenders on the 1500 a bit--they would also likely negate the ability to get a belly mower. I am even considering going with smaller diameter tires/rims that I have found even cheaper--the tractor would sit lower but I do not need the height since I am only pulling mowers. Decisions decisions...if only money wasn't an issue it would be easy to fix!
Peter
PS
Titan website is HERE then click on "tuf" and you will see the tire specs.

Firestone turf data is HERE

good luck, I will keep you informed of my rim/tire search if you want

normde2001 · Jan 23, 2004

"the diameter is about 40-41" so I would have to raise the fenders on the 1500 a bit'

Have you measured the diameter of your existing rice tires? I would think they would already be 40-41".

jdmar · Jan 23, 2004

When I measured the rice tires they were about 36.5 to 37" tip of lug to tip of lug. I just wonder if it would be better to "supersize" to 41" tire or undersize to a 27" (for sale here as 2 tires and 2 rims for only $100 !!!) The turf tires will actually ride on the tread surface but with the rice tire-in theory you ride on the flat of the tire while the lugs are actually buried in the dirt. So it may actually be more "correct' to go with a smaller diameter turf. But I also need to consider my speed..or lack thereof with the smaller diameter tires....any ideas....my brain is startin to smoke again!

normde2001 · Jan 23, 2004

With a 41", (20.5" radius), tire over a 37", (18.5" radius), you are taking up 2" of fender clearance. If you don't have that much I would shim up the fenders rather than go with a 27", (13.5" radius), tire.

jdmar · Jan 24, 2004

I appreciate the advice and take it to heart. As I thought about it...not much work to shim the fenders...if I even need to! And I doubt that the extra diameter will stress the tranmission any..not nearly as much as foot thick mud would anyway. Also, I doubt raising the tractor 2" will affect balance as much as widening the stance by about 12' will improve the ballance. So I made the leap of faith and have bought the tires and rims. But they are in Georgia so I need to have them freighted to Ohio. Then I will need to have the center disc changed out to match the Yanmar bolt pattern (they are currently set up for the JD 4210-4410 bolt pattern).

Once again, thanks for all the help and I will let everyone know the final result once the project is done...all this just for a good turf tire setup! ..hopefully pictures when I am all done.

thanks
Peter