New tires, change size???

[Mtsoxfan]

I have a NH TC29D, hydro, and tires are in need of replacement. (just put a tube in one to tide me over) Size now on rears is 15x19.5 R4's.
My question is, is there any reason I should change the tire size? I cut lawn, do loader work, drag trees etc. I have no issue with what I have on now, but am not versed in the way of tires on tractor. Will going up a size (using original rims) or any other change make a difference? I imagine the tires were a happy medium for most uses. I could be wrong. What should I consider?

 

[Hay Dude]

If it ain't broke, don’t fix it.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

If it ain't broke, don’t fix it.

That's one way to look at it. I just would like to make sure I'm not missing an opportunity before I drop $1200 or so.

 

[Wolfy]

The R4 is the compromise tire, which is perfect for the uses you described. Going up a size is asking for trouble. There is a reason manufactures chose the size they chose.

 

[Hay Dude]

That's one way to look at it. I just would like to make sure I'm not missing an opportunity before I drop $1200 or so.

I’d only change from R4 to R1 if you aren’t getting enough traction. never change sizes without consulting your dealer. You’ll break your 4wd system.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

thanks... traction was never an issue. don't want to destoy grass either
if i changed thefront tires so whatever ratio they used, would that balance the 4wd issue?
trucks change tire size all the time with no issue

 

[Hay Dude]

thanks... traction was never an issue. don't want to destoy grass either
if i changed thefront tires so whatever ratio they used, would that balance the 4wd issue?
trucks change tire size all the time with no issue

4wd trucks have 4 tires same size. Tractors don’t. Most tractors have a smaller front tire.
So if front or rear must be changed, the other set must be too, to maintain the same ratio.

 

[90cummins]

I changed the front tire size (turf tire) on my 1720 Ford after the fronts failed due to dry rot.
From day one I noticed the front tires pulling harder than the rears when in 4wd. The fronts were too tall resulting in the front tires always kicking snow/dirt towards the rear.
When using 4wd I had to be very diligent and disengage it immediately before driving on blacktop or the drivetrain would bind up within 4 to 5 feet.
Prior to purchasing new tires I measured the rolling distance of the front tires to 1 revolution of the rear tires. I then used the tire comparison charts on tire ware house to find an automotive radial snow tire that was closest to my calculations. I purchased 2 new tires then drove the tractor on pavement and then adjusted the front/rear tire pressures until I could drive straight down a blacktop road and engage/disengage 4wd without binding.
Ford engineering could have done a much better job when sizing the turf tires. The agg tires I had worked fine with no binding using the recommended tire pressures.
Moral of this story is know what you are doing before changing the size of tires on a 4wd tractor.
90cummins

 

[Wolfy]

Im really struggling to understand why you want bigger tires when the stock ( worn out tires you said ) have plenty of traction. Maybe you need a bigger tractor which by design will have correspondingly bigger tires.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

Some of you are reading way too much into this, I didn't say I wanted to change, I was wondering if there was any advantage to changing the tire size. I'm trying to consider all options now, BEFORE I drop $1200 on 2 new tires. Woulda, coulda, shoulda...