Skid steer Tire question

[62willy]

When I bought my skid steer, it had pavement tires on it. The guy also threw in a set of worn out 12-16.5 rubber filled tires and rims. He said I could cut the rubber off and mount new 10-16.5 tires (the correct size for my SS) on the rims. After cutting one Tire off, the rim looked awful wide for the smaller Tire. Research shows the rims for the 12-16.5 are about 1.5" wider than 10-16.5 rims. Has anyone used the bigger rims with the smaller Tire? Is it doable?

Thanks,

Bill

 

[Rustyiron]

I wouldn't, just use the 12.50's that are for the rims, you'll be fine as long as there is not a clearance problem.
My concern is the tire seating properly on a "too wide" wheel. The sidewalls can be very stiff and with the side loading (skid steering) I think you might have trouble breaking the bead. The other problem is your rim should have a tire sticking out wider than it to protect it from damage. You could bounce off a rock in just right circumstances and bend the wheel with no tire sidewall there to deflect it.

 

[Texasmark]

When I bought my skid steer, it had pavement tires on it. The guy also threw in a set of worn out 12-16.5 rubber filled tires and rims. He said I could cut the rubber off and mount new 10-16.5 tires (the correct size for my SS) on the rims. After cutting one Tire off, the rim looked awful wide for the smaller Tire. Research shows the rims for the 12-16.5 are about 1.5" wider than 10-16.5 rims. Has anyone used the bigger rims with the smaller Tire? Is it doable?

Thanks,

Bill

My 2400 came from the factory with 12x16.5, R4, 6 ply tires. Wheels are 9.5x16.5, 6 bolt. OD of the tire is apparently 33" as the turf for the 16.5 is 33x12.5-16.5. I now have the turfs installed on these wheels and they fit perfectly....sidewall is pretty much directly in line with the wheel width (no bulging or obvious tire too fat look).....which is wider than the mounting dimension as it includes the lips that roll out on both sides.

 

[62willy]

I went ahead and mounted the 10-16.5 tire on the wheel. Way too big of a gap between wheel and sidewall. I have 4 used 12-16.5 tires but I was hoping to get back to 10-16.5's. 3 of the 4 are well worn and the 4th is almost 50% tread left. They are different brands too. Is either of those going to make a difference or cause any damage?

 

[buickanddeere]

I went ahead and mounted the 10-16.5 tire on the wheel. Way too big of a gap between wheel and sidewall. I have 4 used 12-16.5 tires but I was hoping to get back to 10-16.5's. 3 of the 4 are well worn and the 4th is almost 50% tread left. They are different brands too. Is either of those going to make a difference or cause any damage?

Tire failures are a common contributing factor to skid steer crashes, bodily harm and death. Plus it will have more traction with real skid steer tires vs worn out car tires.

 

[62willy]

Tire failures are a common contributing factor to skid steer crashes, bodily harm and death. Plus it will have more traction with real skid steer tires vs worn out car tires.

I'm sorry, I must not have been clear. These are all skid steer tires I'm talking about here. I wouldn't dream of putting car tires on it. I know traction would be better with new tires but that's just not an option right now.

Bill

 

[Rustyiron]

The only (mechanical) damage that could happen is if the tires were not all the same height (rolling diameter), this will put stress on your drive chains if operating on pavement.

 

[62willy]

The only (mechanical) damage that could happen is if the tires were not all the same height (rolling diameter), this will put stress on your drive chains if operating on pavement.

That was my concern. The 1 newer tire has almost 2" in diameter (1" radius which should be all that matters but I don't know) on the other 3. If I had 2 newer (or new) and 2 used, would it be ok to put 2 of roughly same size on one side vs front or back?

 

[62willy]

A set of new tires is in my future, but I have to get some ROI before I can spend more.

 

[Rustyiron]

Do your best to match them on each SIDE. The drive chain connects the front & back wheel on each side to that side drive motor (2 chains)
Stay in the dirt, you'll be ok.