Homebrew steel tires and wheels?

[The Haymaker]

I just spent a bunch of time working in the Finger Lakes Region of NY. What is up with this? Other than no flats, that is! I saw them everywhere, with all brands of farmers using them. All sizes and shapes, even saw a set on a small yard tractor.

The owner of a hardware store in Himrod said it cost him 1900 to make a set for his Farmall H.

 

[Just Bill]

They must be for high speed cornering.
They sure can't be for improved ride quality.
Maybe thats how you put low profile tires on a tractor to match the ones on your car.

 

[Egon]

They'd work real good on ice!:thumbsup:

 

[The Haymaker]

If you look carefully, they do have some give. About an inch. Very hard on pavement where they cross the road, but no worse than all the horsehoes moving around. Make a funky noise on gravel too!

 

[beenthere]

Will be interested in learning more about them.

For sure, not impressed with their looks.
But maybe they would be functional in a quarry or very rocky surface.

Anyone know more about the why behind them?

 

[crusty 1]

Bet they wear well too,not many flatsDave

 

[Willl]

Don't think it's related to the wheels you posted HM, but interesting non-the-less.

Munson: Mennonites' steel-cleated tractors pit road maintenance vs. religion | desmoinesregister.com | The Des Moines Register

Rubber tires offer a faster, smoother ride down the highway than the cumbersome cleats. So Mennonites fear the use of tires would entice families to take more trips into town on their tractors. It could represent an irreversible step down the slippery slope that leads to the next generation abandoning horses and buggies for cars. Close-knit Mennonite communities could be shattered.

 

[The Haymaker]

Will be interested in learning more about them.

For sure, not impressed with their looks.
But maybe they would be functional in a quarry or very rocky surface.

Anyone know more about the why behind them?

When I asked the owner of another local agri-shop, his immediate answer was "You never get a flat". If working the fields, which 90% of that area is, I'm sure they work very well.

E

 

[beenthere]

I'd buy into the mennonite theory, but not the "never get a flat" reason

Just don't get that many flats in fields. IMO

 

[MarkV]

I seem to remember something similar here on the forum years ago. As I recall they were used because of locus thorns causing flats at an alarming rate. Any idea if that area has much locus?

MarkV