Tires & rim width: acceptable widths?

TSO · Mar 8, 2014

I'm not sure what the actual rim width is on my tractor, can't seem to find it....

But, I have 14.9x24 R4's on the rears. I'm looking into swapping on 17.5Lx24 tires on (same basic height) instead. Obviously those are a wider tire, but with these R4's, it's there an acceptable rim width range to know if they'll fit the rims fine?

If I have to get different rims, I'll probably just disregard the project, but if I can use the same rims that'll b a big help.

Anyone know?

SSdoxie · Mar 8, 2014

14.9X24 calls for 13" width preferred or 12" as alternate. 17.5L should use a 15" width. This is per Titan Tire & Wheel literature. http://www.titanstore.com/pdf/RimContours.pdf.

You probably could use the 17.5L on a narrower wheel but it would change tire profile and tread wouldn't contact/engage ground correctly, might make the wheel rolling circumference larger too.

TSO · Mar 8, 2014

SSdoxie said:
14.9X24 calls for 13" width preferred or 12" as alternate. 17.5L should use a 15" width. This is per Titan Tire & Wheel literature. http://www.titanstore.com/pdf/RimContours.pdf.

You probably could use the 17.5L on a narrower wheel but it would change tire profile and tread wouldn't contact/engage ground correctly, might make the wheel rolling circumference larger too.

Thx. I'll have to try to find exactly what rim width I've got here ... just not home at the moment and don't have my manual, though I'm not sure if that info will be in there anyhow.

RG1 · Mar 9, 2014

Just curious as to why you want to do this? the ones you have now should provide a bit better traction since they are narrower and concentrate the weight in a slightly smaller footprint. Are you looking for more flotation?

Man, I sure like the looks of that MF.

TSO · Mar 9, 2014

RG1 said:
Just curious as to why you want to do this? the ones you have now should provide a bit better traction since they are narrower and concentrate the weight in a slightly smaller footprint. Are you looking for more flotation?

Man, I sure like the looks of that MF.

Yeah, flotation is a main reason. I am planning to hire myself out a bit this year and I want to keep rutting to a minimum. Additionally, I'm wanting to load the tires soon, but I don't want to do it until I'm satisfied with the tires first. The wider tire will allow for more fluid volume & thus more weight.

Just checked the rims, and they're 12" wide. I'll have to check with the tire place and see what they think.

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Thanks, I think it's a good lookin' tractor too

RG1 · Mar 9, 2014

TSO said:
Yeah, flotation is a main reason. I am planning to hire myself out a bit this year and I want to keep rutting to a minimum. Additionally, I'm wanting to load the tires soon, but I don't want to do it until I'm satisfied with the tires first. The wider tire will allow for more fluid volume & thus more weight.

Just checked the rims, and they're 12" wide. I'll have to check with the tire place and see what they think.

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Thanks, I think it's a good lookin' tractor too

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I have to wonder if the added weight from extra fluid would offset any advantage that the slightly wider tires would offer in flotation?

With a tractor that size (depending on what you are doing of course) I wouldn't want any weight in the rears if I was worried about compaction on other peoples property. Like farmers say-" work light in the spring and heavy in the fall". Wheel weights don't add as much ballast as fluid, but they can be mounted and removed pretty easily when and as needed. You can add up to three 110 lb weights per side usually on rims that size. That's the way I went on my JD 4500 when I bought it new, and I never regretted it or needed more traction than it offered.