John Deere 855 Tire + Rim Question

[TTMcGinn]

Please forgive me if any of what I say below is dumb, because when it comes to this stuff I fully admit my dumb-ness.

I have John Deere 855 that was my grandfather's and I inherited it when I moved into his house 8 years ago. I love it and rely on it and want to treat it the best I can. My dad passed away in June and he was my go-to guy for all things tractor related. So, here I am now on my own trying to figure things out.

In the barn we have a set of ag tires for the tractor that have never been on it. It currently, and always, has had the turf tires on it. I'd like to have a second set of tires that I can put on the tractor for the winter for blowing snow, and for the spring to use to work my 2-ish acres of market garden. The turf tires seem to fill up with snow/mud in no time.

I've been shopping around for the right rim to match the tires I have in the barn and I think I have the right ones. I was hoping I could ask here in case someone could confirm for me. These are the ones I think are the correct ones are model number JD3210 that I found on eBay. I can't post a link to them because I don't have enough posts. The specs for them say 16x8, 6 Lug, 4 5/8" Pilot Hole. And they definitely look the same.

The tires I have are 9.5-16 R-1 Ag tires that seem to meet all the right measurements for those rims, and those rims seem to meet all the right measurements for the tractor. Assuming I know how to measure.

I'd be grateful if anyone could help me confirm that these are the right rims for the tires I have. I am certain I will have other questions in the future.

Thank you in advance.

 

[farmeratheart]

Is this a 2wd or 4 wd (MFWD) unit. If the latter, then you may need to change the fronts too to preserve the correct ratio of circumference between front and rears.

 

[farmeratheart]

From tractor data ...


Good luck.

Frank

 

[Deere Dude]

I don't know of anyone who changes tires seasonally. Too much work, especially if they are loaded with fluid. Just pick one and go with it, IMHO

 

[TTMcGinn]

It was always my grandfather's plan to do that, but then it never happened. The thought behind changing them seasonally is that because the tractor is used as our lawnmower the ag tires could be too much for the lawn. Where I live the water table is very, very high. The tires are not loaded. I've taken the tires for repair before and taking them on-off is only a few minutes work, no more difficult than changing a car tire in my experience so far.

I just thought - and had read from people who've switched to ag tires from turf tires - that some of the performance of the tractor would be improved by it.

I don't know of anyone who changes tires seasonally. Too much work, especially if they are loaded with fluid. Just pick one and go with it, IMHO

 

[Peter 315]

I think you need different rims for each ag and turf .....

 

[TTMcGinn]

Yes, it's a 4WD tractor. That's a thing I hadn't thought of! Huh. Thank you!

Is this a 2wd or 4 wd (MFWD) unit. If the latter, then you may need to change the fronts too to preserve the correct ratio of circumference between front and rears.

 

[TTMcGinn]

That's what I'm looking for now is the rims that match the ag tires I have in my barn. I think the ones in the original post are the correct ones based on that they seem to match the tires and seem to match the tractor, but I am an expert in none of this. My grandfather was much better at teaching his grandsons these things than he was his granddaughters and then in fun twist of fate I inherited the tractor.

Thanks for your reply, it helps me confirm that I'm on the right path.

I think you need different rims for each ag and turf .....

 

[Peter 315]

Here you go parts tractor..........Pardon Our Interruption

 

[BeezFun]

I've used both ag and turf tires, in the ice ag tires are worse than turf tires. Not sure what your weather is like, but when I snow blow, it leaves a thin layer of snow that pretty much freezes into ice before too long. Ag tires do very poorly on that kind of surface, turf tires do better. The best is chains. In my opinion you'd be best off getting a set of chains for your turfs and forget about the ags.

 

[techwrtr2]

R1 and R4 tend to suck on ice. R3 will work well on ice if it's reasonably fresh. Worn tires suck too. In the past, I'd switch out from R3 in the summer, but I also have more mud to deal with in winter months.

May well be best to get some good chains for it.

 

[TTMcGinn]

Thanks your reply!

Do chains help when tilling the ground? My number one problem - above snow and ice - is that the turf tires are terrible for tilling the ground in my gardens the spring because they fill with dirt almost immediately.

I have the chains (somewhere, I sense a scavenger hunt in my future), I guess I could wait a season and try them this year and see how it goes.

R1 and R4 tend to suck on ice. R3 will work well on ice if it's reasonably fresh. Worn tires suck too. In the past, I'd switch out from R3 in the summer, but I also have more mud to deal with in winter months.

May well be best to get some good chains for it.

 

[beenthere]

Do chains help when tilling the ground?

Yes, after weight is added.

 

[techwrtr2]

Thanks your reply!

Do chains help when tilling the ground? My number one problem - above snow and ice - is that the turf tires are terrible for tilling the ground in my gardens the spring because they fill with dirt almost immediately.

I have the chains (somewhere, I sense a scavenger hunt in my future), I guess I could wait a season and try them this year and see how it goes.

Chains absolutely help when using a ground engaging implement.

 

[gstrom99]

I got rid of the rear turf tires on my 855, when I bought it, a few years ago. I did a bunch of research and found 15" off road truck tires, Mickey Thompson BAJA brand. MT has discontinued them, in the size you need now. Look around and there are other brands still available. I bought mine at Jeg's, but there are lots of other sites. Here's one: https://4wheelonline.com/30-X-super-swamper-sx-tires.342.0?attributes=18778,18874 You must match the height, so the 4 wheel drive front/rear ratio is the same.

I also had them filled with Rim Guard, for traction. They work great and do not tear up the lawn. I have chains too, but have not needed them, yet...