Johndeere3720
Padawan Tractor Learner, Advertiser
- Joined
- Mar 14, 2009
- Messages
- 3,962
- Location
- NW Oregon
- Tractor
- Bobcat T62, MT55, E42R, E10, John Deere 4100
Over the last year I’ve been rebuilding and restoring a John Deere 955. The rear wheels had pretty well rotted out from calcium leaks and also bled calcium through the side walls.
Back in the 90’s John Deere had 3 tire options, R1’s, R3’s, and R4’s. The largest tire size offered was the R3 which was a 36” tire on a 16” wheel and replacement options for the rear tires were limited and high priced.
After some research I discovered that the wheels and tires from a late model 2032R or 2038R are a direct bolt on to the 955. The rear R3/R4/R14 options on the 2 series all are a 14-17.5 tire which in my case the galaxy marathoner stands at 36.3” tall vs 36” tall on the OEM turf option.
Now to the front: The 2 series tractors use a 23x8.50R14 tire which unfortunately is a little too small to get the ratio for 4wd within the tolerance range of 1:42-1:47 (1:57 w/ 23” front tires). However the OEM turf option utilizes 25x8.5R14 tires which on its own can be had for around $300 new online. If you’re after a set on wheels they were used on numerous models like the 3D’s, 3E’s, 3R’s, 3x20’s, 4310/4410, 4300/4400, as well as a turf tire equipped 955. I had the 23” tires swapped for the 25” to get the ratio to 1:45.
The end result, another tire option for those looking to replace rotted rims, gain clearance, gain liquid ballast capacity, gain better traction (vs turf), or simply gain some new tires with greater tread options. My hope is that this thread can be helpful to anyone who may want to pursue a similar swap.
To summarize:
14-17.5 rear tires/wheels from a late model 2032R/2038R
25x8.5R14 front wheels/tires from a 3 series
(Or swap the 23x8.5R14’s from the 2 series to the 25x8.5R14 tires).
Ratio works with 4wd like factory
1:45 ratio
1:42-1:47 ratio tolerance range.
Back in the 90’s John Deere had 3 tire options, R1’s, R3’s, and R4’s. The largest tire size offered was the R3 which was a 36” tire on a 16” wheel and replacement options for the rear tires were limited and high priced.
After some research I discovered that the wheels and tires from a late model 2032R or 2038R are a direct bolt on to the 955. The rear R3/R4/R14 options on the 2 series all are a 14-17.5 tire which in my case the galaxy marathoner stands at 36.3” tall vs 36” tall on the OEM turf option.
Now to the front: The 2 series tractors use a 23x8.50R14 tire which unfortunately is a little too small to get the ratio for 4wd within the tolerance range of 1:42-1:47 (1:57 w/ 23” front tires). However the OEM turf option utilizes 25x8.5R14 tires which on its own can be had for around $300 new online. If you’re after a set on wheels they were used on numerous models like the 3D’s, 3E’s, 3R’s, 3x20’s, 4310/4410, 4300/4400, as well as a turf tire equipped 955. I had the 23” tires swapped for the 25” to get the ratio to 1:45.
The end result, another tire option for those looking to replace rotted rims, gain clearance, gain liquid ballast capacity, gain better traction (vs turf), or simply gain some new tires with greater tread options. My hope is that this thread can be helpful to anyone who may want to pursue a similar swap.
To summarize:
14-17.5 rear tires/wheels from a late model 2032R/2038R
25x8.5R14 front wheels/tires from a 3 series
(Or swap the 23x8.5R14’s from the 2 series to the 25x8.5R14 tires).
Ratio works with 4wd like factory
1:45 ratio
1:42-1:47 ratio tolerance range.
