Tire Tread and Gear Ratios

[oakhilltop]

I am looking to upgrade, and two of the possibilities are Massey Fergusons. The 1M.25 and 1E.25. I want to get R14 tires for snow, but R14s are not available in these models. I asked the salesman to see if MF would be offering R14 in the near future. I think that MF offers R14 on some models. The salesman contacted the rep and here's the reply from the salesman after contacting the MF rep.

The industrial and turf are the only options I’m being told due to gear ratios with the R14. They can’t seem to size the tire properly with that style. That’s what my rep is telling me

I don't know what that means and wonder if someone does.

Is there a good way of buying a tractor and get tires not normally offered by the manufacturer? Maybe buy the tires that I want, take them to the dealer while the tractor is being prepped for sale and have them swap and load the tires. Then I sell the tires that came with the tractor.

 

[dicktill]

I am looking to upgrade, and two of the possibilities are Massey Fergusons. The 1M.25 and 1E.25. I want to get R14 tires for snow, but R14s are not available in these models. I asked the salesman to see if MF would be offering R14 in the near future. I think that MF offers R14 on some models. The salesman contacted the rep and here's the reply from the salesman after contacting the MF rep.

The industrial and turf are the only options I’m being told due to gear ratios with the R14. They can’t seem to size the tire properly with that style. That’s what my rep is telling me

I don't know what that means and wonder if someone does.

Is there a good way of buying a tractor and get tires not normally offered by the manufacturer? Maybe buy the tires that I want, take them to the dealer while the tractor is being prepped for sale and have them swap and load the tires. Then I sell the tires that came with the tractor.

Those machines are descendants of the GC 1723E and GC 1725M and are good machines. There is a ratio in the gearing so that the front tires want to travel ever so slightly faster than the rears. Unless you plan to run your tractor on paved roads, I don't believe it makes a big difference. I think your plan to swap the tires is a good one, and you can find someone else other than the dealer to do that and load the tires if that's what you want, and they are unwilling to.

Good luck, Dick

 

[LouNY]

Knowing the brand and series of tires the manufacture tables should get you the Overall diameter and hopefully the loaded radius or circumference. With those numbers the alternative tires can be located by those numbers, or with a bit more math the ratio of the front to rear tires can be calculated and all the other tires sizes compared looking for the same ratio. Yes the tires and possibly the rims can be swapped around at the dealers, one issue that could rear it's ugly head would be warranty work if something in the drivetrain fails during the warranty period.

 

[oldnslo]

Long shot but can you check Kubota or Deere models of similar size to what tires are offered. If have same size R1 or R4 and offer R14 would think those sizes would work on a Massey as well.

 

[dicktill]

Those machines are descendants of the GC 1723E and GC 1725M and are good machines. There is a ratio in the gearing so that the front tires want to travel ever so slightly faster than the rears. Unless you plan to run your tractor on paved roads, I don't believe it makes a big difference. I think your plan to swap the tires is a good one, and you can find someone else other than the dealer to do that and load the tires if that's what you want, and they are unwilling to.

Good luck, Dick

Another thing you could do is buy a second set of wheels and have R14's mounted on them. Then just use those for snow; in snow the ratio certainly won't matter.

About loading the tires: I doubt that loading the front tires is worth the effort and expense, they are just too small to make much difference. The rears will make a big difference, but then be aware that the wheels/tires are that much heavier and that much harder to take off and put on. There are wheel weights available.

 

[LouNY]

Another thing you could do is buy a second set of wheels and have R14's mounted on them. Then just use those for snow; in snow the ratio certainly won't matter.

About loading the tires: I doubt that loading the front tires is worth the effort and expense, they are just too small to make much difference. The rears will make a big difference, but then be aware that the wheels/tires are that much heavier and that much harder to take off and put on. There are wheel weights available.

If the fronts don't exceed the rears the tractor (vehicle) will not turn worth a dang especially on slippery surfaces, snow mud, wet grass.

 

[oakhilltop]

Thanks for the inputs.

I am only planning on loading the rear ... if any.

These MF models are hard to find right now. But if I decide that one of them is a match for what I want, then I think looking at the Kubota's offerings and possibly copying the tire sizes is a good idea.

I am also considering the turf tires with chains for the winter. I don't work in mud or loose dirt, so I don't need the AG tires. In my search for a tractor, I've noticed that some turf tires are similar to automotive tires, while some others have much deeper treads, almost like knobs. I would want the more aggressive turf tire and haven't seen the MF turf tires yet. There might be a 1E.25 at a dealer about an hour away and I hope to take a look at it if it is still there.

I was under the impression that I would be able to find R14s that match the sizes of the tires that come with the tractor, but (obviously) haven't looked at it much. One other possibility for the upgrade is the Kioti CX2510 which is available with R14s. I've been looking more at that, which is why I haven't delved into the tire issue too much yet. I want to check out the MF models, because I have some concerns about Kioti's support. My brother in law has had a CK2610 for 5 years with no issues, so I go back and forth on the support/reliability aspects. Either way, I'd at least like to take a good look at the MF models.

 

[dadohead]

It's common to overdrive the front wheels 3% over the rears.... less it won't turn... more = front tire wear.

 

[arrow]

It's common to overdrive the front wheels 3% over the rears.... less it won't turn... more = front tire wear.

You can figure the ratio by knowing rolling circumference of both front and rear tires then applying the axle ratio the manufacturer uses.
The equation: rc of front x ar, divided by rc of rears.
This will fall anywhere between 1-5% depending on manufacturer.

 

[arrow]

Thanks for the inputs.

I am only planning on loading the rear ... if any.

These MF models are hard to find right now. But if I decide that one of them is a match for what I want, then I think looking at the Kubota's offerings and possibly copying the tire sizes is a good idea.

I am also considering the turf tires with chains for the winter. I don't work in mud or loose dirt, so I don't need the AG tires. In my search for a tractor, I've noticed that some turf tires are similar to automotive tires, while some others have much deeper treads, almost like knobs. I would want the more aggressive turf tire and haven't seen the MF turf tires yet. There might be a 1E.25 at a dealer about an hour away and I hope to take a look at it if it is still there.

I was under the impression that I would be able to find R14s that match the sizes of the tires that come with the tractor, but (obviously) haven't looked at it much. One other possibility for the upgrade is the Kioti CX2510 which is available with R14s. I've been looking more at that, which is why I haven't delved into the tire issue too much yet. I want to check out the MF models, because I have some concerns about Kioti's support. My brother in law has had a CK2610 for 5 years with no issues, so I go back and forth on the support/reliability aspects. Either way, I'd at least like to take a good look at the MF models.

I feel you are going about this selection incorrectly.
The first thing is to consider what size tractor is applicable to your needs.
That’s the number 1 consideration above all else.

Tire selection can be manipulated.
In my experience using and selling tractors, is that the most encompassing combo are turfs coupled with chains.