LD1
Epic Contributor
Gonna try to keep this as short as possible, but just doing some thinking out loud and looking for some opinions and feedback.
For starters, I have about 550hrs, and the fronts are maybe 40-50%. The rears are closer to 70% but just this past week I was on a mowing job (well more like brush clearing), and about 2 acres was nothing but saplings. 2" and smaller kind and so dense that nothing grew under. Now I dont run sharp blades either, as to avoid puncturing a tire, but one poked through anyway. Left me with ~1.5" gash in one of the rears. Took 6 plugs to fill, and is holding, but I havent really used it since the repair, so I am not that confident yet. They are only 4-ply rears.
I can get new 11.2-24 6-ply tires locally for $240 each. And the same place has a set of used 8-ply 11.2's for $50 each. He said they were worn pretty good. Havent seen them in person yet, but the pics show maybe 40-50%?? At this point, I am more concerned with the structural integrity of the tire, rather than tread.
When I bought this tractor, traction was a high priority. I did alot of blading, plowing, digging with the FEL, and skidding logs. However, if I was shopping for a tractor today, It would likely be equipped with R4's, as my needs have changed. Any serious dirt work gets handled by the BH. And I can always cut logs in half to skid. Which pretty much just leaves me using the tractor for bush hogging, firewood, lifting things, and light grading. With the majority being mowing. Last year, I mowed ~120 acres. So far this year I have done ~20 acres and another 15 slated for next week.
given all of that, I have a hard time justifying buying brand new tires, if I can get used ones with higher ply ratings for lots less. And if something does happen, I aint out as much $$$. Which leads me into my next delima, Every since I have had this tractor, I thought it would be nice to have larger tires. More flotation up front for the loader, smoother ride, and slightly better traction and tad faster road gear. Looking at the ratios, my current 7-16 and 11.2-24's are about the same as 8-16's w/ 12.4-24's as well as 9.5-16's w/ 13.6-24's.
I dont see anything that would prevent 13.6-24's from clearing in the rear. And in the front, it looks like either the 8-16's or 9.5-16's would need a tad bit trimmed of the bottom of the unused part of the loader upright post.
Not sure which of the 3 combinations I will end up with, but whatever I do, it will likely be used tires given my situation. So if I can expand to a few different options as opposed to just one size combination, It should be easier to find something.
So with all that, What are some opinions on going larger? Am I crazy to want to do this? Should I just stick with OEM size? And what about the ply rating? Are 8 plys alot better than 6 and 6 lots better than 4 as far as puncture resistance? or is the differences mainly in the sidewall stiffness?
For starters, I have about 550hrs, and the fronts are maybe 40-50%. The rears are closer to 70% but just this past week I was on a mowing job (well more like brush clearing), and about 2 acres was nothing but saplings. 2" and smaller kind and so dense that nothing grew under. Now I dont run sharp blades either, as to avoid puncturing a tire, but one poked through anyway. Left me with ~1.5" gash in one of the rears. Took 6 plugs to fill, and is holding, but I havent really used it since the repair, so I am not that confident yet. They are only 4-ply rears.
I can get new 11.2-24 6-ply tires locally for $240 each. And the same place has a set of used 8-ply 11.2's for $50 each. He said they were worn pretty good. Havent seen them in person yet, but the pics show maybe 40-50%?? At this point, I am more concerned with the structural integrity of the tire, rather than tread.
When I bought this tractor, traction was a high priority. I did alot of blading, plowing, digging with the FEL, and skidding logs. However, if I was shopping for a tractor today, It would likely be equipped with R4's, as my needs have changed. Any serious dirt work gets handled by the BH. And I can always cut logs in half to skid. Which pretty much just leaves me using the tractor for bush hogging, firewood, lifting things, and light grading. With the majority being mowing. Last year, I mowed ~120 acres. So far this year I have done ~20 acres and another 15 slated for next week.
given all of that, I have a hard time justifying buying brand new tires, if I can get used ones with higher ply ratings for lots less. And if something does happen, I aint out as much $$$. Which leads me into my next delima, Every since I have had this tractor, I thought it would be nice to have larger tires. More flotation up front for the loader, smoother ride, and slightly better traction and tad faster road gear. Looking at the ratios, my current 7-16 and 11.2-24's are about the same as 8-16's w/ 12.4-24's as well as 9.5-16's w/ 13.6-24's.
I dont see anything that would prevent 13.6-24's from clearing in the rear. And in the front, it looks like either the 8-16's or 9.5-16's would need a tad bit trimmed of the bottom of the unused part of the loader upright post.
Not sure which of the 3 combinations I will end up with, but whatever I do, it will likely be used tires given my situation. So if I can expand to a few different options as opposed to just one size combination, It should be easier to find something.
So with all that, What are some opinions on going larger? Am I crazy to want to do this? Should I just stick with OEM size? And what about the ply rating? Are 8 plys alot better than 6 and 6 lots better than 4 as far as puncture resistance? or is the differences mainly in the sidewall stiffness?
