John Deere 650 tire replacement thoughts

[BCinMI650]

Hello All! my little MFWD JD650 is getting meaner and meaner as I continue to rehab it (with quite a bit of help from ya'll). It has recently been relegated to hard labor in the more untamed/swampy parts of my property as a 60" Woods Mow n Machine fell into my lap and has taken over mowing duty. Due to this, I wanted to upgrade from the turfs that are currently on it (Front Lawn/turf: 23/8.5-12 and Rear Lawn/turf : 31/15.5-15) to Ags or Industrials utilizing the same rims.

Now for the questions... if I swap to a like-sized tire (Galaxy Super Trencher on rears and Carlisles or Deestones on the front for example), do I risk damaging the MFWD system? Do you see any issues with this setup? preferences of the Ag vs the industrial?

I like the wider stance that these rims provide given I do have some hills and also do some loader work so I'd like to keep them (in lieu of buying a set of the OEM rims that came with Ags). I plow with it during the winter and have been using a box blade to level out some parts of my property. I eventually plan to add a small disk harrow to my inventory for food plots as well. Given all of this, what are everyone's thoughts?

Thanks for the insights,

BC

 

[beenthere]

You ask some tough questions... I've understood that you will need to replace the rims going from turfs to either Ag or R-4's..
For matching the MFWD, would need to know the ratio of front to rear circumference and use that as a guide for new tires.. might be a tough nut to crack..
:mur:

Might be best option to move forward with your turfs.

 

[airbiscuit]

It looks like the Galaxy Super Trenchers are the same diameter as what you currently have and would be a cool upgrade.

https://lawnmowertirestore.com/lawn-garden/tiller-trencher-tires/31x15-5-15-8ply-galaxy-super-trencher-tire-i-3.html?_vsrefdom=adwords&gclid=Cj0KCQjwy6T1BRDXARIsAIqCTXoR6doNy3d9s9gtLKV3 BSN4xRGRLt9BoEGVORhXG90w2LpfBnYNMdQaArFWEALw_wcB

The Carlisles also look to be the same diameter as your current front tires.

[video]https://www.summitracing.com/parts/crr-523301[/video]

 

[BCinMI650]

I agree! But when you dig into the details it appears there is a small difference between what each manufacturer considers 31 and 23 so you wind up with a small variation from the OEM tire. I was kinda hoping if I went with the Carlisles for both front and year, the discrepancy would both go in the same direction and I壇 wind up with the same ratio front to back as the OE. They would be a bit more expensive then the Trenchers though (and never really on sale) so I wanted to explore all options.

 

[airbiscuit]

They should be close enough in dirt. No different from new rears and worn fronts.

 

[BCinMI650]

They should be close enough in dirt. No different from new rears and worn fronts.

Good point

 

[airbiscuit]

Are going to order the tires online, or from a tire shop? If from a tire shop, tell the about your need to get pretty close to the mounted diameters of your current tires. I did that when I had to buy new fronts for a little Shibaura.

 

[BCinMI650]

I was going to order online to save some money, but that savings go out the window if I break something as a result of an uninformed decision.

 

[beenthere]

I was going to order online to save some money, but that savings go out the window if I break something as a result of an uninformed decision.

:confused3:

Like what?

 

[BCinMI650]

If changing the ratio between front and rear by a couple percent really does throw something off and I screw up the MFWD system. I've read a couple pieces where they say 2-3% is acceptable, anything more will cause problems, but they were also in reference to MUCH larger and powerful tractors.

 

[beenthere]

If left in MFWD while driving on a surface that some tire slip cannot happen, then a lot of stress can build up in the drive train.
But such surfaces likely do not require engagement in MFWD. Surfaces such as snow or mud will allow the slip, and normally the front wheels are designed to travel slightly faster than the rears.

I shift my 4300 in and out of MFWD depending on the need and the surface.

My :2cents:

 

[airbiscuit]

I would say that it would be good to check the mounted diameter and circumference of your current tires (properly aired up). that gives you a benchmark to compare your new tires to. How much more will it cost to get your tires from a dealer (compared to online and freight)? Sometimes they will mount them for free.

 

[BCinMI650]

I would say that it would be good to check the mounted diameter and circumference of your current tires (properly aired up). that gives you a benchmark to compare your new tires to. How much more will it cost to get your tires from a dealer (compared to online and freight)? Sometimes they will mount them for free.

thats a good idea, its up getting hydraulic hoses swapped out in the garage right now so probably as good a time as any. There's a couple websites with free shipping that put the Super Trenchers on sale every now and then so the savings winds up being a couple hundred bucks off list, but i haven't put good effort into shopping around locally for tires either.

I think one of my take-aways in all of this though, through research and shared experience, is that i should have MFWD engaged less than i do. I probably keep it on 80-90% of the time and its definitely not needed that much. property is hilly, but the areas i have been working are relatively flat.

 

[CADplans]

I would say that it would be good to check the mounted diameter and circumference of your current tires (properly aired up). that gives you a benchmark to compare your new tires to. How much more will it cost to get your tires from a dealer (compared to online and freight)? Sometimes they will mount them for free.

Hmmmmmmm,, that is a great concept,, but, maybe not realistic in this situation,,

The 650 is SO old, there is little chance that the original front tires are on the tractor,,

When I got mine, both front tires are different,, and both have been on there so long,,
you can not tell which one has been on the longest!!

If you look at the specs of that front tire from different manufacturers,,
I think you will find each manufacturer has a different rolling diameter,

I have three 4WD tractors, and I have different ways of adjusting the air pressure for each tractor.

In ALL cases,, I run in 2WD 100% of the time, unless traction needs demand 4WD.

 

[BCinMI650]

So I ran 95% of the day in 2wd. I have got bridgestones on it that exactly like the ones on your 650. Did fine with the loader work I was doing today, just do not know how much of that abuse they can take. The fronts are 2ply which I think are somewhere between bubble gum and play doh so they were getting pulled pretty good while I was turning. I think I may just pull the trigger on the more aggressive tread and try and alter my behavior to only have MFWD engaged when needed.

 

[CADplans]

The fronts are 2ply which I think are somewhere between bubble gum and play doh

The problem is that exact size tire is ultra common on many garden tractors,
so many tire manufacturers offer a VERY light duty tire for mowing-type service,,

I have been waiting for one of mine to pop,, then I will get some 4 or 6 ply tires that were designed for mini diesel service,,

 

[LouNY]

The circumference has some contemplation but the loaded radius is the important measurement when looking at your tires for matching up properly.
If you look at the tables the manufactures publish for the larger tires you will find circumference and loaded radius as well as loaded rolling circumference,
the loaded radius will calculate out to the loaded rolling circumference. The measured circumference quite often, almost never, equates to the loaded rolling circumference.
That said I would not expect you to have much issue with the tires you are looking at, the lead lag can be adjusted with tire pressure also.

 

[Bavarian]

In my opinion, you might not find AG style tires that fit the rim of your turf tires and match the circumference at the same time.
AG tires with a comparable circumference compared to turfs usually need larger rims in diameter.
I agree, talk to a tire guy who knows his job.

 

[Bavarian]

Here are the original speced tires regarding tractordata.

 

[airbiscuit]

The tires he is considering are the same diameter as referenced in TractorData.