Need new front tire(s)? (1700 2wd)

[JohnFourteenSix]

Silly me! I used the term "better ride", what I actually meant was "better traction" or "better control". Considering I only have 5 acres and don't really travel that quickly on the tractor anyway, the quality of the ride on my back is not really a big concern.

 

[Texasmark]

Silly me! I used the term "better ride", what I actually meant was "better traction" or "better control". Considering I only have 5 acres and don't really travel that quickly on the tractor anyway, the quality of the ride on my back is not really a big concern.

You didn't mis quote on what you said. Usually ply rating has to do with better ride, but not entirely. For a given tire size checking the rated load at full rated pressure tells you how stiff are the sidewalls on some tires. I had 12x16.5, 6 ply R4s on the rear of my 2400 and the ride was terrible. Reducing pressure only resulted in the tire coming off the rim. I found some 33x12x16.5 4 ply R3s thinking the 4 ply would get me some soft sidewalls. Nope, the tires came in at 35 psi rating of 2500# approximately which was the rating of the original R4s. Wound up with 8x16, 6 ply R1s (needed different rims for that) and run at about 15 psi and work great for traction and soft ride.

I would get the ribbed front on a 2wd tractor. I have run truck takeoffs on the front of my 4000 Ford with loader and they were like 225 radials and I mounted them on the existing Ford front 16" Ford rims. Pumped up to 40#, (rating for road use was 35#) I had the fat tire with reasonable sidewall strength but slid on turns....nothing to grip the dirt on a hard turn.

 

[JohnFourteenSix]

I can't seem to be able to find 8.00-10 ribbed tires. Also searched for 205/65-10. I guess I need different rims? that'd put the price higher, I fear.

 

[JohnFourteenSix]

Ended up going with the 6 ply from the ebay link; nobody local had it. I'd have wanted a ribbed, but that'd require different front wheels, and I have more important things to spend on.