What tires would work?

JayC · Jun 29, 2004

I am thinking of replacing the tired old tires on the tractor my grandfather built so long ago. I'm not sure where he got them, but the rears are Goodyears and say "Military" on them. I'm guessing from some old jeep. I have no idea what the fronts are or what the make is. It was hard to even make out a size.

Here are the sizes for the tires:

Rear: 7.00-16

Front: 179N-39

Well, those were what we could decipher off the old things. I hope they are right. For the rears I would probably want R1's (but might consider R4's) beeing it is only 2WD. What is on there now is some bald tires with chains. Those have been on there for as long as I can remember.

For the fronts I would want something that "matches" the rears (i.e. how the front wheels normally look on 2WD tractors). Hope that made some sense. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Any help is appreciated. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Jim_Fisher · Jun 29, 2004

JayC,

I'm not at home or I'd look in my M. E. Miller tire catalog. You may find what you need on their web site. M. E. Miller Tire

JayC · Jun 30, 2004

Thanks for the link. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif I briefly checked it out and found the right size rear tires under the truck category. I was hoping for R1s, though.

I haven't been able to find anything for the fronts yet. Does the tire size for the front in my post above sound right?

Cliff_Johns · Jun 30, 2004

( I am thinking of replacing the tired old tires on the tractor my grandfather built so long ago. )

I don't supose we could see a picture of this home made tractor, could we? I always find these homemade machines factinating.

Cliff

JayC · Jun 30, 2004

No problem. Sorry about the bad quality of the pic. The only "digital camera" I have is a real junker. It is kinda hard to make out, but there are also middle and rear mounted harrows. I want to put some brakes on. When he built it he never put brakes on. For his applications I guess he never needed them. I have no idea how to go about adding brakes. I guess that's a topic for another thread. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Cliff_Johns · Jun 30, 2004

Thanks for posting the picture. It looks homemade, but practical and capable. The lack of brakes is probably not up to OSHA specs, but if you always work going uphill, it's not a problem. Just be sure to have thick soled shoes and you can brake like Fred Flintstone.

Cliff

Jim_Fisher · Jun 30, 2004

( Does the tire size for the front in my post above sound right? )

I haven't heard of that size. Looking at the picture (through glasses with 53 year old eyes) the fronts resemble wheelbarrow tires. Readily available at tractor supply.

For R1's for the rear - check implement tires. Might be a ground drive manure spreader or something that uses that size.

JerryG · Jun 30, 2004

Here are the 7-16 size in a Firestone. They have R-1 tread but are actually called G-1 by Firestone. Firestone

JayC · Jun 30, 2004

( Just be sure to have thick soled shoes and you can brake like Fred Flintstone. )

Maybe I could put some metal underneath my shoes so I could create all sorts of nice visual effects. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif lol

Thanks, Jerry. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Those tires would sure be a step up from what's on there, now!

JayC · Jun 30, 2004

( Looking at the picture (through glasses with 53 year old eyes) the fronts resemble wheelbarrow tires. )

The fronts did remind me of wheelbarrow or old trailer tires. Maybe I should take one off and see what TSC has. When my grandfather was alive he always kept it parked away somewhere. I never really thought about asking about the tires. Then again, I never thought I'd end up with it, either. I really hope to improve/restore some things on it then take it to the annual tractor show next year.

chim · Jul 1, 2004

( Here are the 7-16 size in a Firestone. They have R-1 tread but are actually called G-1 by Firestone. One salesman told me the "G1" designation meant "garden".Firestone )

If at all possible, get your eyeballs on the tires before buying them. The Firestone site pictures were different from real life appearance on tires I bought last year. I replaced all 4 tires on a Ford 1210. The original R1's were much more aggressive than the newer G1's, although the pictures of the G1's looked just like my original R1's. The bars on the G1's I was looking at were about half as high and thick as the original tires.

Fortunately I was able to find all four tires in the discontinued design. The rears were found at one of the first places I looked, about 20 minutes away from my house. The fronts were a different story. I finally located them about 100 miles away..................chim

JayC · Jul 1, 2004

As far as the agressiveness, it really isn't all that necessary. I won't be using it for much plowing any more. Once I (hopefully /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif ) get it restored I will retire it. Then, again hoping, next year take it to the local tractor show.

Lazy · Jul 1, 2004

Hi Jay
could you take some more pics of the tractor showing how it was constructed. maybe you could add a modified disk brake to the rear axle.

Charlie

JayC · Jul 2, 2004

Well, with my current digital camera I am afraid the pictures would not be of any real use. If I were to add brakes, I'd want something that's not expensive and simple - real simple. I'm not even sure how I could do it seeing as I am a mechanically inept twit. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

JayC · Jul 2, 2004

( Looking at the picture (through glasses with 53 year old eyes) the fronts resemble wheelbarrow tires. Readily available at tractor supply. )

Well, you were right. They must be wheelbarrow tires. I had a chance to finally go out and check the fronts again. They are 4.80/4.00-8 in size. They also said Cheng Shin on them. I was able to quickly find the right size at TSC, but at $50 a pop I think that's too expensive. Is there anything cheaper? I would also like to put ribbed tires on the front if they come in that size. It may be next to near impossible, but I would like to have all four tires from the same manufacturer. Would anyone be willing to help? I'm not sure where to begin. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

B2400 · Jul 2, 2004

Reguarding your brake problem, is it belt driven or shaft? Would it be possible to add a drum or disc brake to the input on the trans? The parts would be available thru a go-cart or mini-bike supplier.

Lazy · Jul 2, 2004

Hi
check out miller tire they have a good selection and cheap

Charlie

Lazy · Jul 2, 2004

miller tire

http://www.millertire.com/

charlie

Jim_Fisher · Jul 3, 2004

JayC,

( but at $50 a pop I think that's too expensive )

Check their on-line catalog. I'm seeing them for $12.99 including the tube. The only thing I see at $49.99 is a flat free tire.

TSC Wheelbarrow tires

If they don't have the 12.99 ones in stock I'm sure that they'll be happy to order them for you. I have also gotten Carlisle tires in that size for the mower deck on my Yazoo mower. They were more of a diamond tread and are a whole lot sturdier than a wheelbarrow tire. I bought mine a number of years ago at Central Tractor but I seem to recall seeing some Carlisle tires at my local Walmart in the garden section.

Good luck!

JayC · Jul 3, 2004

Well, the tire size for the front is 4.80/4.00-8. What does the 8 mean? The $50 ones were the only ones that had the 8 in the size. Will the other ones work? That would be great if they would.